Social Justice

Model Answer

Introduction

The Aspirational District Programme (ADP), launched in January 2018, aims to transform 112 of India’s most backward districts. Evaluating its effectiveness reveals both significant achievements and persistent challenges.

Overall Progress

Approximately 95% of the aspirational districts have shown substantial improvements in key indicators, including health, nutrition, financial inclusion, and skill development. This broad progress indicates that the ADP has made meaningful strides in uplifting these regions.

Health and Nutrition

In the health sector, many districts have exceeded state averages for institutional deliveries and vaccination rates, achieving over 90% vaccination coverage among children. However, challenges remain, as 93 out of 112 districts report over 50% of women suffering from anemia, and there is a notable lag in addressing stunting and underweight issues among children under five.

Education

The educational landscape has improved with the integration of technology, yet no district has fully met its educational targets. This indicates that while progress has been made, significant gaps remain in both infrastructure and learning outcomes.

Financial Inclusion and Skill Development

Financial inclusion has markedly increased, from 30% to 90% in ADs, with more individuals accessing banking services and government schemes. However, skill development remains inconsistent, with insufficient market demand leading to migration for employment, affecting local uptake of training programs.

Basic Infrastructure

Several districts have achieved saturation in basic infrastructure metrics; however, 30 districts have completed less than 50% of housing under the PMAY-Grameen scheme.

Conclusion

In summary, the ADP has made significant progress in various sectors but continues to face challenges. Addressing disparities, data discrepancies, and sector-specific issues is crucial for further success. The programme’s potential to transform these districts hinges on resolving these ongoing challenges effectively.

Model Answer

Challenges Faced by Divyangjans in India

India is home to approximately 26.8 million persons with disabilities (PwDs), accounting for 2.21% of the population (Census 2011). Despite this significant number, Divyangjans face several challenges:

1. Lower Literacy Levels: About 45.6% of PwDs are illiterate, and three-fourths of children with disabilities are out of school. High dropout rates at the primary level are often due to inadequate facilities such as accessible toilets, entrances, information systems, and ramps.
2. Higher Poverty Rates: Approximately 41.4% of PwDs live in multidimensional poverty, with only one-third of individuals with disabilities engaged in work (Census 2011). This economic disengagement exacerbates their challenges.
3. Poor Health Conditions: PwDs often face barriers to healthcare services due to a lack of awareness, transportation costs, inaccessible healthcare facilities, and poorly fitted medical equipment.
4. Discrimination: Many encounter name-calling and harassment. A survey by Equality Human Rights revealed that at least 18% of respondents experienced discrimination or bullying.

Legislative Provisions for Divyangjans

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was enacted in alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Key provisions include:

• Free Education: Every child with a benchmark disability aged 6 to 18 has the right to free education.
• Reservation: There is a provision for 5% reservation in higher education and 4% in government jobs, along with allocations in land distribution and poverty alleviation schemes.
• Guardianship: The Act allows for joint decision-making between guardians and PwDs, facilitated by District Courts.
• Penalties for Offenses: The Act stipulates penalties for offenses against PwDs and violations of its provisions.

Government Initiatives

To uplift Divyangjans, the government has implemented several initiatives:

1. Accessible India Campaign: Aimed at universal accessibility across built environments, transportation, and ICT systems.
2. Unique Disability Identity (UDID): Establishes a national database for PwDs to enhance transparency and efficiency in delivering benefits.
3. Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline ‘KIRAN’: A 24/7 helpline available in 13 languages to address mental health concerns.
4. ‘Divya Kala Shakti’ Cultural Event: Provides a platform for showcasing the talents of PwDs in the arts.
5. ADIP Scheme: Assists disabled persons in acquiring aids and appliances for rehabilitation.

Conclusion

Achieving an inclusive society requires collaboration among the government, NGOs, PwD associations, academic bodies, and civil society. Continuous efforts are essential to strengthen the capacity for rehabilitation and research, ensuring that Divyangjans can fully participate in society.

Model Answer

Introduction

The ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ (BBBP) scheme, launched in 2015, aimed to combat gender discrimination and empower women across India. Initially implemented in 161 districts, it has since expanded to all 640 districts. The scheme has raised awareness about gender bias, leading to an improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) from 918 to 934 and an increase in the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls from 77.45 to 81.32 between 2014-15 and 2019-20.

Shortcomings of the Scheme

Despite these positive indicators, the BBBP scheme has not fully achieved its objectives:

1. Female Foeticide: The practice remains widespread, undermining the scheme’s goals.
2. SRB Targets: The scheme aimed to improve the SRB in critical districts by ten points per year, yet reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) indicate worsening ratios in parts of Haryana and Punjab.
3. School Enrolment: The target of achieving 100% re-enrolment of girls who dropped out has not been met.

Factors Hindering Success

Several issues have contributed to the inadequate implementation and monitoring of the scheme:

• Inefficient Fund Allocation: A 2017 CAG report highlighted significant under-utilization of funds, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, which hampered progress in various sectors.
• Violation of Guidelines: Overspending on national media campaigns was noted as a violation of the allocated funds for each district.
• Socio-Cultural Barriers: Deep-rooted patriarchal norms continue to impede educational opportunities for girls.
• Lack of Political Will: Infrequent meetings at district and state levels have diminished the scheme’s momentum.
• Structural Constraints: Insufficient staffing and lack of basic facilities like clean toilets hinder girls’ retention in schools.

Recommendations for Improvement

To enhance the BBBP scheme’s effectiveness, the following measures are recommended:

• Gender Sensitization Training: Training for personnel can improve implementation.
• Incentivizing Female Teachers: Encouraging educated women to teach can boost female enrolment.
• Engaging Local Workers: Frontline workers like ASHA and Anganwadi workers should be actively involved.
• Formation of ‘Balika Manch’: This can help manage school committees and connect out-of-school girls with educational initiatives.

Effective implementation of the BBBP scheme is crucial for bridging gender gaps in healthcare and education, ultimately contributing to India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Quality Education (SDG 4) and Gender Equality (SDG 5). Achieving gender parity is essential for fostering equitable economic development and ensuring basic human rights.