Content :
- A leap backward for maternity entitlements
- The bigger tragedy is the Railways and its systemic inertia
A leap backward for maternity entitlements
Context : Despite legal entitlements under the NFSA, the PMMVY has failed in coverage, implementation, and adequacy, leaving most pregnant women without essential maternity benefits.
Legal and Policy Framework
- National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
- Entitles all pregnant women (except those covered in the formal sector) to maternity benefits of ₹6,000 per child.
- The amount, adjusted for inflation, should be at least ₹12,000 today.
- Recognizes the importance of maternity benefits in ensuring maternal health and newborn care.
Relevance : GS 2(Health , Social Issue)
Practice Question: Despite legal entitlements, maternity benefits in India remain inadequate and poorly implemented. Critically analyze the challenges in the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and suggest measures for effective maternity benefit delivery.(250 Words)
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), 2017
- Replaces NFSA’s universal entitlement with restricted benefits.
- Initially covered only the first child, later extended to the second child (if a girl).
- Reduces the entitlement to ₹5,000 for the first child instead of the legally mandated ₹6,000.
- Introduces strict eligibility conditions and digital processes that make access difficult.
Declining Coverage and Budget Cuts
- Limited Reach
- Effective coverage peaked at 36% (2019-20) but has since plummeted.
- By 2023-24, coverage dropped to a shocking 9%.
- A sharp contrast to NFSA’s intended universal coverage.
- Budgetary Allocation Trends
- PMMVY budget for 2023-24 was just ₹870 crore, one–third of its 2018-19 level.
- Estimated requirement for full implementation: ₹12,000 crore annually.
- Indicates a deliberate effort to reduce expenditure rather than improve implementation.
Barriers to Access
- Restrictive Eligibility Criteria
- Limits benefits to only the first child (later extended to the second child if a girl).
- Excludes a large section of women, especially in marginalized communities.
- Digital Exclusion
- Aadhaar-based payments lead to authentication failures, particularly affecting women in rural areas.
- Complicated application process, requiring multiple documents and approvals.
- Software glitches in 2023-24 further reduced disbursements.
- Lack of Transparency
- Ministry of Women and Child Development does not disclose key PMMVY data.
- No proactive publication of statistics, violating Section 4 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Lessons from Tamil Nadu and Odisha
- Tamil Nadu’s Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme
- Provides ₹18,000 per child, with planned increase to ₹24,000.
- Achieved 84% coverage in 2023-24.
- Odisha’s Mamata Scheme
- Provides ₹10,000 per child (doubled before the 2024 elections).
- Achieved 64% coverage in 2021-22.
- Key Takeaways
- Higher monetary support than PMMVY.
- Simpler application process with better implementation.
- Significantly higher coverage compared to the <10% under PMMVY.
Stark Inequality Between Formal and Informal Sectors
- Formal Sector Benefits
- Women in the organized sector receive 26 weeks of paid maternity leave (Maternity Benefits Act, 1961).
- More generous than the WHO norm of 14 weeks.
- Informal Sector Neglect
- Women in the unorganized sector receive a mere ₹5,000, often after navigating bureaucratic hurdles.
Need for Reform
- Full Implementation of NFSA Provisions
- PMMVY must align with NFSA to ensure universal maternity entitlements.
- Budgetary Expansion
- The ₹5,000 cap must be raised and indexed to inflation.
- ₹12,000 crore annual budget required to cover 90% of births.
- Simplification of the Process
- Remove first-child restriction and Aadhaar-related hurdles.
- Ensure easy access to funds without excessive documentation.
- Transparency and Accountability
- Regular publication of data on coverage and fund utilization.
- RTI compliance for greater public scrutiny.
The bigger tragedy is the Railways and its systemic inertia
Introduction:
- The February 15, 2024, stampede at New Delhi Railway Station underscores persistent issues in railway crowd control and safety.
- Despite previous tragedies (e.g., Elphinstone Road, Mumbai 2017; Allahabad Kumbh Mela 2013), the Railways has failed to implement preventive measures effectively.
- The systemic inertia within the Railways has led to repeated failures in handling predictable crowd surges.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Disaster Management)
Practice Question : The recurring tragedies in Indian Railways highlight a deeper issue of systemic inertia rather than mere operational failures. Critically examine the causes and suggest measures to improve passenger safety and crowd management. (250 words)
Core Issues Leading to the Tragedy
A. Failure in Planning and Anticipation
- Lack of Risk Assessment: The predictable surge of passengers due to Kumbh Mela was underestimated.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: New Delhi station’s design and facilities remain outdated, unable to handle massive crowds.
- Weak Passenger Flow Management: No clear segregation of unreserved and reserved passengers led to chaotic movements.
B. Crowd Control Lapses
- Platform Change Confusion: Though Railways denied it, the last-minute announcement of an additional train caused a surge of conflicting movement.
- Escalators as Bottlenecks: Failure to stop escalators despite real-time CCTV monitoring exacerbated congestion.
- Inadequate Security & Barricading: RPF deployment was insufficient to manage the crowd.
C. Administrative Apathy and Mismanagement
- Blame Shifting to Passengers: The narrative focused on passenger behavior rather than operational lapses.
- Delayed & Conflicting Responses: The Railways’ inconsistent statements ranged from denial to obfuscation.
- Superficial Post-Tragedy Measures: Actions like increasing security and restricting platform tickets came after loss of lives.
D. Lack of Accountability & Transparency
- Flawed Inquiry Mechanism: Internal Railway officials are investigating their own failures, bypassing independent oversight.
- Pattern of Evasion: Similar tragedies have occurred, but corrective measures remain superficial and reactive.
The Larger Malaise: Systemic Inertia in Indian Railways
- Institutional Resistance to Change: Modernization efforts are hindered by bureaucratic rigidity.
- Focus on Grand Announcements Over Safety: Prioritization of high-profile projects (e.g., Vande Bharat) over basic passenger safety reforms.
- Lack of Data-Driven Decision Making: Absence of predictive models for crowd movement despite available technology.
- Accountability Deficit: Rarely are officials held responsible for preventable accidents.
Way Forward: Addressing the Crisis Systematically
- Preemptive Crowd Management Strategies: Advance ticket-based crowd estimation, dynamic platform allocation.
- Infrastructure Upgradation: Wider foot-over bridges, better exit planning, dedicated unreserved ticket areas.
- Technology Integration: AI-based crowd monitoring, automated emergency response protocols.
- Independent Oversight Mechanisms: CRS or third-party audits to ensure impartial inquiries.
- Institutional Reforms: Decentralization of decision-making, greater operational accountability.
