India TB Report 2020

Why in News

Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the annual Tuberculosis (TB) Report 2020.

• Eliminating TB by 2025: India is committed to eliminating tuberculosis from the country by 2025, five years ahead of the global target by the World Health Organisation (WHO) i.e. 2030.
  
  • National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme: To align with the ambitious goal, the programme has been renamed from the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) to National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).

Key Points

• State TB Index: On the basis of the score in State TB Index, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh were the top three best-performing states for tuberculosis control under the category of states with 50 lakh population.
  
  • Tripura and Nagaland were best-performing in the category of states having less than 50 lakh population.
  • Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu were selected as the best performing Union Territories.
• Rising Tobacco Consumption: It also revealed that Tobacco consumption is rising among Indian TB patients.
  
  • 8% of TB cases can be attributable to tobacco usage.
• HIV Patients and TB: People living with HIV are the most vulnerable among all those TB patient groups which have other comorbidities (rate of death). Hence, the World Health Organization lays social emphasis (through awareness programmes) on them.
  
  • HIV-associated TB: India accounts for 9% of all HIV-associated TB deaths in the world, the second-highest number globally.
    
    • A total of 92,000 HIV-associated TB patients were recorded on an annual basis.
    • Awareness among TB patients about their HIV status has gone up to 81% from 67%.
• Diabetes Associated TB: The other such group is patients suffering from diabetes. According to the report, 20% of all TB cases in India also suffer from diabetes.
  
  • In 2019, among the notified TB patients under the Revised National TB Control Programme, 64 % were screened for Diabetes.
• Missing Patients: The report highlighted that the notification of TB is a major hurdle in surveillance of the disease in India.
  
  • Nearly 0.54 million TB cases are still missing across India.
• Lower Reporting than WHO: According to the report, India notified the highest number of 24.04 lakh tuberculosis cases last year (2018) as against an estimated 26.9 lakh cases by WHO, indicating that around three lakh patients missed out from the national TB programme.
  
  • Low Fatality: It stated that 79,144 deaths due to tuberculosis were reported in 2019, which is much lower than the WHO estimate of 4.4 lakh fatalities.
• Treatment Success Rate: It is around 70-73% in the last two years. From 2014-2016, it was between 76 and 77%.

Initiatives by India

• The Nikshay Ecosystem: It is the National TB information system which is a one-stop solution to manage information of patients and monitor program activity and performance throughout the country.
• Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY): This scheme is aimed at providing financial support to TB patients for their nutrition.
• TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign: Launched In September 2019 it is showcasing the highest level of commitment for the elimination of TB.
• The Saksham Project: It is a project of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) that has been providing psycho-social counselling to DR-TB patients.

Way Forward

• Despite the notable successes achieved by the different programmes, robust efforts are needed to improve the early and accurate diagnosis followed by a prompt appropriate treatment which is vital for ending TB.
• India must collaborate with global efforts which are being done to eliminate the TB along with the paradigm shift in the control measure.
• There is a need for expanding both the laboratory network as well as diagnostic facilities to cover the entire country under the National TB Elimination Programme. There is a requirement of the crucial contribution from the private sector in terms of providing mandatory tuberculosis notification and quality care.
• There is a need to fight the stigma surrounding it so that every TB patient can seek care with dignity and without discrimination. Hence, advocacy, communication & social mobilization is vital.

Source: DTE

Interest Subvention Scheme for Shishu Loan Accounts

Why in News

The government has approved a 2% interest subsidy scheme for Shishu loan account holders under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY).

• The Scheme will help small businesses tide over difficulties created by the lockdown following Covid-19 outbreak.

Key Points

• In-Line with Atmanirbhar Abhiyan:
  
  • The 2% Interest Subsidy Scheme is in line with the measures announced relating to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
• Eligibility:
  
  • The scheme will be extended to loans which meet the following criteria: outstanding as on 31^st March 2020; and not in Non-Performing Asset (NPA) category, as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines on 31^st March 2020 and during the period of operation of the Scheme.
  • The interest subsidy would be payable for the months in which the accounts are not in NPA category including for the months that the account becomes a performing asset again, after turning NPA.
  • The scheme will incentivize people who will make regular repayments of loans.
• Implementation:
  
  • The Scheme will be implemented through the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and will be in operation for 12 months.
    
    • SIDBI was set up on 2^nd April 1990 under an Act of the Parliament.
    • It acts as the Principal Financial Institution for Promotion, Financing and Development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector as well as for coordination of functions of institutions engaged in similar activities.
  • For borrowers, who have been allowed a moratorium by their respective lenders, as permitted by RBI under the ‘Covid-19 Regulatory Package’, the Scheme would commence post completion of the moratorium period till a period of 12 months i.e. from 1^st September 2020 till 31^st August 2021. For other borrowers, the scheme would commence w.e.f. 1^st June 2020 and will last till 31^st May 2021.
• Cost to the Government: The estimated cost of the Scheme would be approximately Rs. 1,542 crore.
• Background:
  
  • The ongoing Covid-19 crisis and the consequent lockdown has led to severe disruption of business for micro and small enterprises which are funded through Shishu Mudra loans.
  • Small businesses typically function on thin operating margins, and the current lockdown has had a severe impact on their cash flows, jeopardizing their ability to service their loans.
  • This could lead to default in repayment and have a resultant impact on access to institutional credit in future.
  • As on 31^st March 2020, about 9.37 crore loan accounts under the Shishu category of PMMY with a total loan amount of about Rs 1.62 Lakh crore, were outstanding.

Way Forward

• The Scheme is expected to provide much-needed relief to the MSME sector, thereby enabling small businesses to continue functioning without laying off employees due to lack of funds.
• By supporting small businesses to continue functioning during these times of crisis, the Scheme is expected to have a positive impact on the economy and support its revival, which is necessary for employment generation in future.

Source: PIB

Global Education Monitoring Report 2020: UNESCO

Why in News

Recently, the Global Education Monitoring Report, 2020 was released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

• It highlighted that Covid-19 had worsened the inequalities in education systems worldwide.

Key Points

• Global Findings:
  
  • During the height of school closures in April 2020, almost 91% of students around the world were out of school.
  • About 40% of low and lower middle income countries have not supported learners at risk of exclusion during this crisis, such as the poor, linguistic minorities and learners with disabilities.
  • Education systems responded with distance learning solutions, all of which offered less or more imperfect substitutes for classroom instruction.
  • Poorer countries opted for radio and television (TV) lessons, 55% of low-income, 73% of lower-middle-income and 93% of upper-middle-income countries adopted for online learning platforms for primary and secondary education.
  • 17% of low and middle-income countries are planning to recruit more teachers, 22% to increase class time and 68% to introduce remedial classes when schools reopen to combat the situation.
• India Specific Findings:
  
  • India has used a mix of all three systems (radio, TV and online platforms) for educational continuity.
• Challenges:
  
  • Governments increasingly rely on technology but the digital divide limits the approach because not all students and teachers have access to an adequate internet connection, equipment, skills and working conditions to take advantage of available platforms.
  • School closures interrupt support mechanisms for various disadvantaged students.
    
    • Resources for blind and deaf students may not be available outside schools.
    • Children with learning disabilities or those who are on the autism spectrum may struggle with independent work in front of a computer or the disruption of daily school routines.
    • Poor students who depend on school for free meals or even free sanitary napkins have suffered.
  • Cancellation of examinations in many countries, including India, may result in scoring dependent on teachers’ judgements of students instead, which could be affected by stereotypes of certain types of students.
  • Higher drop-out rates are also a concern because, during an earlier Ebola epidemic in Africa, many older girls never returned to school once the crisis was over.

Way Forward

• Teachers who are intimidated by technology now have to take the bull by its horns. For many who are proficient at planning and teaching in the traditional classroom, planning for an online setting requires some re-learning.
• Online classrooms have brought up issues of classroom management and it is needed to learn methods of managing remote classes and students online. Schools also have to give serious thought to planning and conducting online assessments and evaluations.
• School readiness for online teaching is critical and schools are at varying levels in this journey. While parents are worried about having the right hardware and set-up at home, school management and teachers are sorting out more significant and vital issues.

Source: TH

Extension to OBC Sub-Categorisation Commission

Why in News

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved a six-month extension to the commission appointed to examine sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), up to 31^st January 2021.

Key Points

• Commission:
  
  • Headed by Justice (Retd.) G Rohini, the commission was constituted under Article 340 of the Constitution with the approval of the President on 2^nd October 2017.
    
    • Article 340 deals with the appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes.
  • It had been constituted to complete the task of sub-categorising 5000-odd castes in the central OBC list so as to ensure more equitable distribution of opportunities in central government jobs and educational institutions.
  • In 2015, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) had recommended that OBCs should be categorised into extremely backward classes, more backward classes and backward classes.
    
    • The benefits of the reservation in OBCs are being cornered mostly by the dominant OBC groups over the years so there is a need to recognise sub-quotas for the extremely backward classes within the OBCs.
    • NCBC has the authority to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes.
  • Mandate:
    
    • Examine the uneven distribution of reservation benefits among different castes in the central OBC list. For example, certain castes were left out of the ambit because of a difference in spelling in a State.
    • Work out mechanism and parameters for sub-categorisation of OBCs, to identify castes, sub-castes and communities and classify them into sub-categories.
    • Submit a comprehensive report after consultation with various stakeholders so that Census 2021 can include comprehensive data on OBCs.
  • Work Done:
    
    • It has met representatives of state governments, state backward classes commissions, community associations etc. apart from obtaining caste-wise data of OBCs in higher educational institutions and recruits in central departments, public sector banks and financial institutions.
  • Expenditure:
    
    • The expenditure related to the administration costs will be continued to be borne by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Reasons for Extension:
  
  • The Commission would require more time to submit its report since the repetitions, ambiguities, inconsistencies and errors of spelling or transcription etc. appearing in the existing Central List of OBCs need to be cleared.
  • Apart from that, the nationwide lockdown and restrictions on travel imposed in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic slowed down the commission’s performance.
• Possible Outcomes:
  
  • The commission may make recommendations which will benefit the communities in the existing list of OBCs which have not been able to get any major benefit of the OBCs reservation scheme for appointment in central government posts and for admission in central government educational institutions.

Source: PIB

Co-operative Banks Under RBI Supervision

Why In News

Recently, the Central government approved an Ordinance to bring all urban and multi-state co-operative banks under the direct supervision of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Key Points

• Reason:
  
  • The decision comes after several instances of fraud and serious financial irregularities, including the major scam at the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank in 2019.
  • Till now, all the co-operative banks came under dual regulation of the RBI and the Registrar of Co-operative Societies, resulting in regulatory and supervisory lapses at many of these banks.
    
    • The RBI had no powers to draw up an enforceable scheme of reconstruction of a co-operative bank.
    • However, from now onwards the urban and multi-state co-operative will come under the direct supervision of RBI.
• Benefit:
  
  • The move will empower the RBI to regulate all urban and multi-state co-operative banks on the lines of commercial banks.
    
    • Earlier, the Supreme Court pronounced that co-operative banks come within the definition of ‘Banks’ under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 for the purposes of the Sarfaesi Act, 2002.
    • The Sarfaesi Act is an effective tool for bad loans (Non-Performing Assets) recovery.
  • It will also provide more security to depositors.
    
    • In India, there are 1482 urban co-operatives banks and 58 multi-state co-operative banks.
    • These banks have a depositor base of 8.6 crores, who have saved a huge amount of Rs. 4.84 lakh crore with these banks.
• Issues Involved:
  
  • The rural co-operative banks will continue to remain under the dual regulation of RBI and Registrar of Co-operative Societies.
  • The rural co-operative banks face the same issue of misgovernance and fraud, like urban co-operatives banks.

Source: IE

Private Sector Participation in Space

Why in News

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the creation of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure.

• This is part of reforms aimed at giving a boost to private sector participation in the entire range of space activities.

Key points

• IN-SPACe: It will act as a single-point interface between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and everyone who wants to participate in space-related activities, or use India’s space resources.
  
  • It will also hand-hold, promote and guide the private industries in space activities through encouraging policies and a friendly regulatory environment.
• Indian National Space Promotion Board: It would be set up to strengthen the Department of Space and for the promotion of the private space entrepreneurs or non-government space entrepreneurs,
• Role of ISRO: The overall idea is to let ISRO concentrate on essential activities like research and development, planetary exploration, and strategic use of space, while freeing itself from ancillary or routine work which could easily be done by private industry.
• Demand Driven Model: By the support of New Space India Limited (NSIL), It would endeavour to reorient space activities from a ‘supply driven’ model to a ‘demand driven’ one, thereby ensuring optimum utilisation of the nation’s space assets.
  • The main objective of NSIL is to scale up industry participation in Indian space programmes in comparison to IN-SPACe which gives emphasis on the participation of the private sector.

Significance

• Level Playing Field for Private Companies: IN-SPACe will provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure.
• Research and Development Activities: These reforms will allow ISRO to focus more on new technologies, exploration missions and human spaceflight programme.
  
  • Some of the planetary exploration missions will also be opened up to the private sector through an ‘announcement of opportunity’ mechanism.
• Fruitful Dissemination of Space Technologies: Allowing industries and others like students, researchers or academic bodies greater access to space assets would lead to a much better utilisation of India space resources.
• Socio-economic use of Space Assets: The proposed body would attempt to enhance the activities, including access to space assets data and activities
• Global Technology Powerhouse: It will enable Indian Industry to be an important player in the global space economy. With this, there is an opportunity for large-scale employment in the technology sector and India becoming a Global technology powerhouse.

Way Forward

• Space sector can play a major catalytic role in the technological advancement and expansion of our Industrial base.
• Therefore, the creation of IN-SPACe will work towards a greater involvement of private industry, academic institutions and research organisations in India’s space sector.
• India is among a handful of countries with advanced capabilities in the space sector. With these reforms, the sector will receive new energy and dynamism, to help the country leapfrog to the next stages of space activities.

Source: IE

Ocean Mapping: Seabed 2030 Project

Why in News

Recently, it was announced that mapping of nearly one-fifth of the world’s ocean floor had been finished under the Seabed 2030 Project.

Key Points

• Seabed 2030 Project:
  
  • Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation of Japan and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO).
  • It was launched at the United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2017 and is aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
    
    • The United Nations Ocean Conference intended to be a game-changer in reversing the decline in the health of the ocean for people, planet and prosperity.
  • The project aims to bring together all available bathymetric data to produce the definitive map of the world ocean floor by 2030 and make it available to all.
    
    • Bathymetry is the measurement of the shape and depth of the ocean floor.
  • In the past, satellites and planes carrying altimeter instruments have been able to provide large swathes of data about the ocean floor.
  • However, the Seabed 2030 Project aims to obtain higher quality information that has a minimum resolution of 100 metres at all spots, using equipment such as deepwater hull-mounted sonar systems, and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs).
• Importance of the Study of the Ocean Floor:
  
  • Helps in understanding several natural phenomena, including ocean circulation, tides and biological hotspots.
  • Provides key inputs for navigation, forecasting disasters, exploration for oil and gas projects, building offshore wind turbines, fishing resources, and for laying cables and pipelines.
  • Ensure a better understanding of climate change.
    
    • Climate change has impacted the flow of ocean currents and has led to sea-level rise.

Source: IE

Fishing Cats

Why in News

The Odisha Government has started a two-year conservation project for Fishing Cats in Bhitarkanika National Park.

• Like several other rare species, little is known about fishing cats in the wild.

Key Points

• Scientific Name: Prionailurus viverrinus.
• Description:
  
  • It is twice the size of a house cat.
  • The fishing cat is nocturnal (active at night) and apart from fish also preys on frogs, crustaceans, snakes, birds, and scavenges on carcasses of larger animals.
  • The species breed all year round.
  • They spend most of their lives in areas of dense vegetation close to water bodies and are excellent swimmers.
• Habitat: In India, fishing cats are mainly found in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, on the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys and in the Western Ghats.
• Threats:
  
  • Habitat Destruction: A major threat for fishing cats is the destruction of wetlands, their preferred habitat.
  • Shrimp Farming: Shrimp farming is another growing threat to mangrove habitats of the Fishing Cat.
  • Hunting: This unique cat also faces threats from hunting for meat and skin.
  • Ritual Practices: Tribal hunters indulge in ritual hunting practices throughout the year.
  • Poaching: It is also occasionally poached for its skin.
  • Poisoning: Indiscriminate trapping, snaring and poisoning.
• Protection Status:
  
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. Despite multiple threats, the Fishing Cat was recently downlisted to “Vulnerable” from “Endangered” in the IUCN Red List species assessment.
  • CITES: Appendix II
  • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
• Conservation Efforts:
  
  • The Fishing Cat Project, launched in 2010 started raising awareness about the Cat in West Bengal.
  • In 2012, the West Bengal government officially declared the Fishing Cat as the State Animal and the Calcutta Zoo has two big enclosures dedicated to them.
  • In Odisha, many NGOs and wildlife conservation Societies are involved in Fishing Cat research and conservation work.

Source: DTE