Current Affairs for CSE - Part II

Let us discuss about Health, Education and other Social issues/reforms here.

Health

1. Vector Borne Diseases in India

The National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP) includes Malaria, Filariasis, Chikungunya, Dengue, Japanese Encephalitis and Kala - Azar. Further there have been threats from other pathogens like the Zika Virus. Incidentally Zika virus is spread by the same Aedes mosquito spreading Chikungunya and Dengue. 

2. National Health Policy 2015

It includes provisions like universalisation of health care, increasing the public spending on health to 2.5% of the GDP, making Right to Health a fundamental right.

3. School Health Programme and Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram

Under this, children in the age group 0-18 years would be screened for different illnesses and they will be given free treatment including surgery in Government hospitals under the National Rural Health Mission.

4. National Mental Health Policy

Objective to provide universal access to mental health care by enhancing understanding of mental health and strengthening leadership in mental health sector at all levels.

5. India New Born Action Plan

To attain Single Digit Neonatal Mortality and Stillbirth Rates by 2030. It is to be implemented within the existing Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent health (RMNCH+A) framework of the National Health Mission (NHM).

6. National Family Health Survey

      The results of the first phase of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) was released. Child mortality rate, Infant mortality rate and the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has reduced. The other outcomes are improved immunisation coverage and better sanitation and drinking water facilities. There is some improvement in child nutrition, but over one in three children is still stunted, and over one in five underweight.   

7. Health Protection Scheme
Health insurance cover of up to Rs.1 lakh per family and 1.3 lakh for senior citizens. A similar project called Rashtriya Swasthya Bhima Yojana (RSBY) has been running since 2008 under Ministry of Labour which has been now transferred to Ministry of Health and Family welfare. It has a health cover of Rs 30000 per family.

8. Accessibility and affordability of drugs

The Drug Pricing Control Order was passed by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority. It covered different drug combination whose price is to be controlled. The Government has decided to open about 3000 Jan Aushadhi stores in India. These would supply drugs at reasonable prices.

9. Food safety and standards

Detection of chemicals like Lead and Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) in Maggi, Potassium Bromate in bread etc. has raised concerns about food safety in India. The monitoring body is Food Safety and Standards Authority of India constituted in 2006. 

10. Surrogacy in India

The Government is in the process of forming a clear legislation regarding surrogacy through the Assisted Reproductive Techniques Bill.  The main aim is to protect the surrogate mothers from exploitation.  In a recent affidavit to the Supreme Court, the Government has expressed its support for surrogacy only for Indian couples and is against commercial surrogacy.

11. Pre-natal diagnostic techniques

The pre-natal diagnosis has been prohibited under the PCPNDT Act. But recently there was a suggestion to allow pre-natal diagnosis and then ensure the protection of the female child through public interventions.  

12. Tobacco menace in India

India is home to world’s second largest number of tobacco users (around 275 million) according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey. The Government has launched a mobile app “Mobile (m) Cessation” that would counsel the tobacco users to quit the habit. Meanwhile the health ministry has issued a notification to carry warnings that would cover 85% of the surface of the packet.

13.  Ranjit Roy Choudhary Report on restructuring the medical sector

A comprehensive report covering the qualitative and quantitative aspects of medical education. Increasing the doctor patient ratio to 1:1000, increasing the number of medical PG seats in proportion with the UG seats, revamping the MCI are some of its suggestions. The Supreme Court has appointed a committee to give suggestions to revamp Medical Council of India.

Education

1. Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan

 It aims to connect institutions of higher education, including Indian Institutes of  Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) etc. with local communities to address the development challenges through appropriate technologies.

2.   National Education Policy 2015 

IT is based on the T S R Subramanian Committee Report. The policy include providing scholarships for meritorious students from poor families, granting autonomy to universities according to their rating and a separate ‘Indian Education Service’

3.  National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

For ranking around 3500 Universities across India. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore came top in overall ranking. Among technical institutions, IIT Madras topped the list while among business schools, IIM Bangalore snatched the top slot.

4. Swayam – India’s official MOOC platform

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) are to be given by different universities/institutions. Around 2.5 lakh hours of e-content is to be brought into this platform covering subjects from the school level to advanced research.

5. IMPRINT – IMPacting Reasearch Innovation and Technology

A Pan-IIT and IISc joint initiative to develop a roadmap for research to solve major engineering and technology challenges in ten technology domains relevant to India.

6. GIAN – Global Initiative for Academic Networks

To bring high quality academicians to participate in delivering courses in Indian institution.

7.  Atal Innovation Mission

It spurs innovation in young minds by providing funds for a network of institutions to conduct research on innovation. It comes under the NITI Aayog and replaces the earlier National Innovation Council.  

Other social schemes

1. Insurance schemes of the Government

• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana - It is for accidental death insurance cover. It is applicable in the age group 18-70 years. The annual premium is Rs 12 and the total coverage is Rs. 2 lakh.
• Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyothi Bima Yojana - It is a life insurance scheme. It is applicable in the age group 18-50 years. The annual premium is Rs 330 and the total coverage is Rs. 2 lakh.

2. Atal Pension Yojana 
It is a Government backed pension scheme targeting the unorganised sector. People who join the National Pension System (NPS) and who are not members of any statutory social security scheme would be benefited.

3. Minimum Wages Act Amendment

      Changes are sought for the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. States are to be divided into 3 classes for common minimum wage. There would be a further division of workers into unskilled, under skilled, skilled, high skilled. The Centre sets the base wages while the States can decide the minimum wages according to the Consumer Price Index. 

      4. National Policy on Social Security to be launched

      A separate National Social Security Authority to be formed to formulate a policy. It would develop a Social Security Code for the entire population dividing it into four tiers. The first tier would consist of the destitute and the BPL sections while the second tier would consist of the un-organised sector. The third tier comprises of the workers who can contribute to schemes with the help of the employer while the fourth tier would consist of the affluent sections.

      5. Rehabilitation package for bonded labourers

      Bonded labour has been prohibited in India under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. According to the recent rehabilitation package, 3 lakhs is provided for disabled and transgender, 2 lakhs for women and children and 1 lakh for adult men under an amendment to the said act.

      6. Amendment to Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

      Expectant mothers to get 6.5 months paid leave compared to 3 months now. Women who adopt a child up to 3 months of age, or a commissioning mother would be entitled for 16 weeks paid leave from the date of handling over the child. Offices with more than 50 employees have to compulsorily provide crèches.

      7. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana 

      Free cooking gas connections to BPL and tribal families. This is a consequence of the “Give it up” and the “Pahal Scheme” which freed a good number of gas connections.  

      8. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan

      It is a nationwide campaign to ensure universal accessibility to persons with disabilities. Targets include making important railway stations and 10% of the public transport carriers accessible to the disabled.  

      9. Nai Manzil

      A World Bank supported scheme designed as an integrated education and training programme for youth from minority communities.

      10. E-governance platforms

•       PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely-Implementation) is an interactive platform to   address common man’s grievances. It combines digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology.
•       UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New Age Governance) is a smart phone application that provides about 200 central and state services.

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