PIB Summary- 14th December, 2024 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

National Energy Conservation Day

Context 

Celebrated annually on December 14 to promote energy conservation and efficiency.

Symbolizes India’s commitment to sustainable development under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power.

Significance:

• Highlights the importance of energy conservation.
• Introduced in 1991 to encourage sustainable energy practices.

National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA):

• Instituted in 1991 to honor industries and institutions excelling in energy efficiency.
• Recognizes innovative measures and sets benchmarks for energy conservation.
• NECA 2024 to spotlight impactful projects and inspire adoption of best practices.

Government Initiatives

• Targets energy reduction in energy-intensive industries.
• Saves ₹55,000 crore annually; avoids 110 million tons of CO₂ emissions.

Standards and Labelling (S&L):

• Informs consumers about energy-efficient appliances.
• Covers 38 appliances, including 16 under mandatory labeling.

Go Electric Campaign:

• Promotes adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and electric cooking.

EV Yatra Portal & App:

• Launched in 2022 to provide EV charging station data and promote e-mobility.

UJALA Scheme:

• Provides affordable LED bulbs and tube lights to domestic consumers.
• Saves 176.2 billion kWh annually; reduces 125 million tons of CO₂ emissions.

Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP):

• Replaces conventional street lights with LED lights.
• Saves 8.76 billion kWh/year and reduces 6.03 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

The Road Ahead

• Emphasizes collective efforts in energy conservation.
• Aligns individual actions with national goals for a sustainable and greener future.

Steps Taken By The Government To Reduce Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure

Context 

Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) refers to payment made by individuals or households for healthcare services without  reimbursement from insurance , government programs , etc.

It includes expenses for

• Doctor consultations
• Medicines
• Diagnostic tests
• Hospitalization charges
• Medical equipment or devices
• Other healthcare-related costs not covered by insurance.

Why is OOPE significant?

• Financial Burden: High OOPE can lead to finlancial distress, pushing families into poverty, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
• Healthcare Access: High OOPE reduces access to healthcare for economically weaker sections.
• Policy Indicator: A high percentage of OOPE indicates inadequate public health funding and weak insurance systems.

Decline in OOPE

• Reduction: OOPE as a percentage of Total Health Expenditure (THE) reduced from 48.8% in 2017-18 to 39.4% in 2021-22.
• State-wise Improvements: States like Karnataka, Assam, and Jammu & Kashmir showed significant reductions in OOPE.

Increased Budget Allocation for Healthcare

• Department of Health & Family Welfare:Budget allocation increased by 85% from ₹47,353 crore (2017-18) to ₹87,657 crore (2024-25).
• 15th Finance Commission Grants: ₹70,051 crore allocated through local governments for health.

Ayushman Bharat Initiatives

• 1,75,418 centers established by transforming Sub-Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
• Provide comprehensive primary healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative care.

PM-JAY:

• Health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.
• Covers approximately 55 crore beneficiaries, constituting 40% of the population.
• Health coverage extended to senior citizens (70+) irrespective of income.

National Health Mission (NHM)

Pradhan Mantri – Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)

• Focuses on developing primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare capacities.
• Budget: ₹64,180 crore.
• Establishes new institutions to manage emerging diseases.
• Affordable Medicine and Diagnostic Services
• National Free Drugs and Diagnostics Services: Reduces OOPE by ensuring essential drugs and diagnostic facilities at public health centers.
• PM Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): Provides quality generic medicines at affordable prices.
• AMRIT Pharmacies: Offer affordable medicines and implants in hospitals.

Encouraging States to Increase Health Budgets

Impact Highlights

• OOPE Decline: States like Kerala, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh witnessed notable improvements.
• Infrastructure Growth: Rural and urban health centers strengthened, improving access to care.
• Financial Protections: Insurance coverage via PM-JAY reduced catastrophic health expenditures.