46 MILLION GIRLS WENT MISSING IN INDIA, SAYS UNFPA REPORT
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? UNFPA’s State of the World Population 2020 report says: One in three girls missing globally due to sex selection, both pre- and post-natal, is from India. Details The report cites a 2014 study to state that India has the highest rate of excess female deaths one in nine […]
FREE FOOD GRAINS SCHEME PMGKAY EXTENDED
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? Prime Minister announced that the free grain distribution scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) will be extended till the end of November. Highlights Under this scheme five kilograms of free rice or wheat, and one kilogram of chana/Pulses will be provided free to 80 […]
UTILISE MGNREGA TO THE FULLEST CAPACITY
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Introduction The role of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a lifeline for the working poor in rural India. With an average 23 days of work and a daily wage of ₹200, households who got work earned an average of ₹1,500 a month. Even though this is […]
JHARKHAND’S SAHIYAS: AN INSPIRATION
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Introduction The ASHAs in Jharkhand, known as “Sahiyas”, have been supporting delivery of health care services especially in the tribal areas. The Sahiyas have been widely acknowledged for their commitment and agency in enabling access to health care, even in the hard to reach and remote tribal areas. Role Played by […]
LEGAL AID WIDENED AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RISES
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has decided to open online legal assistance services by a panel of women lawyers in each district to come to the aid of victims of domestic violence and child abuse. Cases of domestic violence and child abuse saw a major spike during […]
GENDER GAP IN JOB LOSSES CAUSED BY THE LOCKDOWN
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Introduction Employment in April 2020 was 70 per cent of the average in the preceding year, reason for which can be attributed to the COVID-19 Lockdown. Research estimates that in the Covid-19 pandemic, women are likely to be more vulnerable to losing their jobs compared to men. (more than 30 million […]
OPPORTUNITY TO REDEFINE THE INDIAN SCHOOL SYSTEM
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Introduction While the pandemic has created an unprecedented challenge for humanity, it also offers a unique opportunity to re-imagine our schools and transform schools from being a mere implementer of directions from the directorate or district headquarters to having a central role in our society. Way forwards: Route to transformation of […]
ALL STATES MUST CREATE JOBS FOR MIGRANTS: SC
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? The Supreme Court has taken suo moto cognisance of the ‘migrant labourers’ issues and proposed that all states should put on record what scheme they have prepared for providing employment to the migrant labourers returning back to their hometowns. What have some States done so far? In Bihar, […]
ROBUST DIGITAL FINANCIAL INFRA KEY TO SUCCESSFUL DBT
Focus: GS-II Social Justice, GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? NITI Aayog and MicroSave Consulting organised an international webinar to discuss and share lessons from India’s successful cash support payments to the most vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic. Highlights A robust digital financial infrastructure in India was key in successfully making direct transfers to targeted […]
ORDINANCES TO BOOST RURAL INDIA AND AGRICULTURE
Focus: GS-II Social Justice GS-III Agriculture Why in news? The President of India has promulgated the following Ordinances with the aim of giving a boost to rural India for farmers engaged in agriculture and allied activities; The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Ordinance 2020 The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price […]