Daily Answer Writing

Model Answer

Introduction

The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Education, aims to enhance student enrollment, retention, and nutrition. Despite serving approximately 9.17 crore children in 2018-2019, recent data indicate a significant shortfall in achieving its nutritional goals, as evidenced by India’s drop to 101st place in the Global Hunger Index (2021) (Global Hunger Index, 2021).

Reasons for Shortfall

1. Poor Infrastructure:
   • The MDM scheme suffers from inadequate facilities, such as insufficient cooking sheds, poor water supply, and lack of proper utensils, which hinder effective meal preparation.
2. Corruption and Leakages:
   • The Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) performance audit in 2015 highlighted financial mismanagement, fund diversion by states, and instances of fake enrollments, undermining the scheme’s integrity.
3. Social Discrimination:
   • A study by the Institute of Dalit Studies found systemic caste-based discrimination in several schools during food preparation and serving, affecting the inclusiveness of the program.
4. Meagre Resource Allocation:
   • Low salaries for cooks and helpers demotivate them, impacting the quality and consistency of meal preparation.
5. Quality of Food:
   • Reports of substandard and adulterated food leading to food poisoning have raised serious concerns about the safety and nutritional value of the meals provided.
6. Inadequate Monitoring:
   • Although provisions for social audits and inspections exist, they are rarely conducted, leading to a lack of accountability and oversight (monitoring reports ceased after FY15).

Proposed Corrective Actions

1. Nutritional Guidelines Compliance:
   • Establish a robust system to ensure adherence to stipulated nutritional requirements in meals.
2. Address Enrollment Discrepancies:
   • Align reported enrollments with the actual number of children receiving meals to enhance program reach.
3. Effective Monitoring Mechanisms:
   • Strengthen internal controls at all levels and build data systems to track scheme implementation comprehensively.
4. Enhance Food Quality:
   • Provide periodic training for cooks and helpers on hygiene and health standards, possibly involving Self-Help Groups to maintain quality.
5. Stakeholder Orientation:
   • Implement a systematic orientation program for all stakeholders, including policymakers, implementers, and community members, to ensure the scheme’s success.

Conclusion

Through these measures, the Mid-Day Meal scheme can significantly enhance its effectiveness in addressing the nutritional needs of students, ultimately contributing to improved health and educational outcomes.

Model Answer

Introduction

The recent Parliamentary Standing Committee report has raised serious concerns about the functionality of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), highlighting its inactivity over the past four years. This examination reveals several key challenges that the NCST faces.

Challenges

1. Pending Reports:
   • Reports since 2018 remain under process in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and have not been presented to Parliament. For instance, the study on the impact of the Indira Sagar Polavaram Project in Andhra Pradesh on the tribal population is still pending (Parliamentary Standing Committee Report, 2023).
2. Manpower and Budgetary Shortage:
   • Many positions within the Commission are vacant due to recruitment challenges, including a high eligibility bar that limits the number of applicants.
3. Lack of Regular Meetings:
   • The NCST met only four times during the financial year 2021-22, indicating insufficient engagement in its mandate.
4. Delay in Dispute Resolution:
   • The pendency rate for complaints and cases is close to 50%, resulting in significant delays in addressing tribal grievances.
5. Lack of Action on Reports:
   • Ministries and Departments have not been forthcoming in communicating their acceptance or rejection of the NCST’s recommendations on policy issues.

Proposed Measures

1. Urgent Recruitment and Budget Allocation:
   • The Parliamentary Committee has recommended immediate action to fill vacancies and increase budgetary support for the NCST.
2. Meaningful Consultations:
   • The Cabinet Secretariat and the Ministry of Law should ensure that the NCST is consulted on legislative proposals prior to their presentation to the Council of Ministers.
3. Timely Follow-Up on Reports:
   • Reports should be presented in Parliament and State Legislatures within three months to ensure accountability.
4. Legislative Scrutiny:
   • A memorandum detailing the action taken on the NCST’s recommendations should be submitted to Parliament or State Legislatures within six months of report submission.
5. Feedback Mechanisms:
   • Establishing a structured feedback process will enlighten the NCST about government views on its recommendations, enabling it to refine future proposals.

Conclusion

By implementing these measures, the NCST can effectively fulfill its mandate, ensuring the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes in India. Strengthening the NCST is vital for promoting tribal rights and enhancing their voice in governance.

Model Answer

Introduction

Social accountability initiatives are crucial for enhancing governance and empowering citizens. However, their implementation faces significant challenges that necessitate adequate measures for effective institutionalization.

Challenges and Vulnerabilities

1. Resistance to Reform: Social accountability initiatives often threaten vested interests, leading to substantial resistance from those benefiting from the status quo (World Bank, 2013). This resistance can stifle reform efforts and diminish the potential for change.
2. Risk of Collusion: There is a persistent risk of collusion among actors involved, which can manifest as data manipulation and false claims regarding accountability efforts (UNDP, 2016). Such actions undermine the integrity and effectiveness of accountability initiatives.
3. Co-option of Citizens: Powerful community members may co-opt citizens, discouraging them from speaking out against corruption (Bovens, 2007). This co-option can create a culture of silence that inhibits accountability.
4. Disruption by Vested Interests: Engaging in social accountability can expose citizens to threats and intimidation from those benefiting from a lack of accountability, deterring active participation (Transparency International, 2015).
5. Lack of Government Support: Citizens often face inadequate support from government agencies when challenging entrenched power dynamics, which further complicates collective action efforts (OECD, 2018).
6. Ineffective Grievance Redressal: The absence of timely and efficient follow-up mechanisms on social accountability findings hampers the effectiveness of initiatives (Houtzager & Lavalle, 2009).

Policy Measures for Institutionalization

To effectively address these challenges, several policy measures are necessary:

• Decentralization: Implementing detailed activity mapping for schemes based on the principle of subsidiarity can enhance local accountability (World Bank, 2013).
• Information and Awareness: Strict enforcement of proactive disclosure under the RTI Act can empower citizens and facilitate greater transparency (RTI Act, 2005).
• Capacity Building: Comprehensive training strategies for both citizens and officials are essential to strengthen participation and effectiveness (UNDP, 2016).
• Grievance Redressal Mechanisms: Establishing clear procedures with strict timelines for grievance redressal can enhance accountability (OECD, 2018).
• Mandatory Inclusion of Social Accountability: Ensuring that every scheme document includes specific social accountability tools can institutionalize these initiatives effectively (Transparency International, 2015).
• Periodic Assessments: Regular evaluations by independent assessors can help maintain the integrity and effectiveness of social accountability mechanisms (Bovens, 2007).

Conclusion

In conclusion, addressing the vulnerabilities in social accountability is essential for enhancing governance and empowering citizens. Implementing these measures will foster an environment conducive to accountability, ultimately improving service delivery and democratic engagement.

Model Answer

Introduction

India’s Public Procurement and Project Management (PPPM) framework is critical for the efficient execution of government projects. However, the current system faces several challenges that necessitate a comprehensive overhaul.

1. Lack of Comprehensive Legislation

Despite the significant involvement of public funds, India lacks a comprehensive law that promotes a competitive, transparent, and efficient PPPM framework. This absence hinders accountability and oversight, leading to inefficiencies in managing public resources.

2. Growing Share of Public Procurement

India’s public procurement market is estimated to be between 20 and 22 percent of the GDP, roughly $500 billion annually. Given this scale, the need for a robust procurement framework becomes even more pressing to enhance competitiveness and transparency in public spending.

3. Complex Regulatory Framework

The three-tier governance structure, comprising various ministries, statutory bodies, and public sector undertakings (PSUs), creates a convoluted regulatory environment. This complexity often leads to inefficiencies in public procurement processes, as different entities operate under varying objectives and rules.

4. Inefficiency of the L1 Method

The Least Cost Selection (L1) method, which chooses the lowest bidder, can result in suboptimal delivery for high-impact and technologically complex projects. Studies, such as the Quality Council of India report on highway development, indicate that this approach often neglects quality and performance, leading to delays and increased lifecycle costs.

Proposed Measures for Improvement

1. Legislative Backing: Providing legal support to the General Financial Rules to ensure a transparent and accountable procurement process.
2. Enhancing Transparency: Implementing debriefing procedures for unsuccessful bidders to promote the ‘Right to Know.’
3. Simplifying Procedures: Streamlining processes and enforcing stricter blacklisting rules for corrupt firms.
4. Promoting E-Procurement: Utilizing platforms like the Central Public Procurement Portal and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to enhance efficiency.
5. Capacity Building: Conducting periodic training for procurement officials to ensure they are well-versed in best practices.

Revamping the PPPM framework will facilitate faster, more efficient, and transparent execution of government projects, ultimately improving governance and public service delivery.

Model Answer

Introduction

Cabinet Committees, established under the Government of India Transaction of Business Rules, 1961, serve as crucial mechanisms within the Indian Parliamentary system. They help streamline decision-making and ensure collective responsibility among the Council of Ministers (CoM).

1. Collective Responsibility

• Constitutional Basis: Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution states that the CoM is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means that all ministers must support the decisions made by the Cabinet, regardless of their individual ministries.
• Joint Decisions: Decisions made by Cabinet Committees are considered joint decisions of the entire Cabinet. Consequently, every minister is obliged to uphold and defend these decisions both inside and outside Parliament, reinforcing the principle of collective responsibility.

2. Uniformity and Coordination

• Homogeneity of the Executive: Cabinet Committees play a vital role in ensuring uniformity within the Executive branch. By facilitating cooperation among various ministries, they help eliminate discrepancies that could arise due to differing departmental priorities.
• Decision-Making Support: These committees assist the government in making coordinated decisions, particularly in complex matters involving multiple ministries. For instance, the Economic Affairs Committee directs and coordinates government activities concerning economic policies, ensuring a unified approach.

3. Crisis Management

• Coordinated Responses: During national crises, Cabinet Committees are instrumental in managing responses by coordinating actions among various ministries. This collective effort is vital for effective governance, especially in times of significant challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cabinet Committees not only enhance the efficiency of the decision-making process but also reinforce the principles of collective responsibility and uniformity within the Executive. Their functioning is essential for maintaining coherence in governance and ensuring that the diverse interests of the ministries align with the overall objectives of the government.