Indian Society and Social Issues: July 2023 UPSC Current Affairs | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

Children and Domestic Labour

Why in News?

Recently, an incident came into light where a couple was accused of hiring a 10-year-old girl as a stay-at-home help to care for their 4-year-old son and was subjected to physical and mental abuse on several occasions.

• This incident highlights the issue of Child Labour in Domestic Work.

What is Child Labor?

• Child Domestic Labour:
  • Child domestic work is a general reference to children’s work in the domestic work sector in the home of a third party or employer.
  • Child labor in domestic work refers to situations where domestic work is performed by children below the relevant minimum age (for light work, full-time non-hazardous work), in hazardous conditions or in a slavery-like situation.
• Hazards of Child Domestic Work:
  • The ILO (International Labour Organization) has identified a number of hazards to which domestic workers are particularly vulnerable some of the most common risks children face in domestic service include,
  • Long and tiring working days; use of toxic chemicals; carrying heavy loads; handling dangerous items such as knives and hot pans; insufficient or inadequate food and accommodation etc.
  • The risks are compounded when a child lives in the household where he or she works as a domestic worker.
• Status of Child Labor in India:
  • As per the National Crime Records Bureau Report 2022, in 2021, around 982 cases were registered under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, with the highest number of cases registered in Telangana, followed by Assam.
  • According to a study by Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), there has been a significant increase in the proportion of working children from 28.2% to 79.6% out of the 818 children who were surveyed, mainly because of the Covid-19 pandemic and closure of schools.
  • The states in India having highest child labour employers are – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Why is Child Labor in Domestic Work Prevalence in India?

• Social and Economic Conditions of Families:
  • The prevalence of child labor in domestic work in India are the social and economic conditions of families, lack of effective policies ensuring sufficient wages to adult workers, and the burden falling on children of impoverished households to supplement family income.
  • This situation often leads to kids being paid even less and forced to work beyond their physical and mental capacity, resulting in a systematic trap of slavery in 24x7 house help employment.
• Marginalized Communities are Easy Targets:
  • Some communities and families have a tradition of making their children work in certain occupations, such as agriculture, carpet weaving, or domestic service. Some also believe that education is not important or suitable for girls.
  • Tribals and Dalits who migrate to big cities from the poorer regions of India such as West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand are the easiest targets.
• Poor School Infrastructure:
  • Many schools in India lack adequate facilities, teachers, and quality education. Some schools also charge fees or other expenses that are unaffordable for poor families. 
  • These factors discourage parents from sending their children to school and make them drop out.
• Unprecedented Disruption/Losses:
  • Natural disasters, conflicts, and pandemics can disrupt the normal functioning of society and increase the vulnerability of children.
  • Some children may lose their parents, homes, or access to basic services. They may be forced to work for survival or be exploited by traffickers and other perpetrators.

What is the Socio-Economic Impact of Child Labour?

• Reduced Human Capital Accumulation:
  • Child labor diminishes children's ability to accumulate skills and knowledge, affecting their future productivity and income.
• Perpetuation of Poverty and Child Labour:
  • Child labor lowers wages for unskilled work, contributing to the cycle of poverty and continued child labor.
• Impaired Technological Progress and Economic Growth:
  • Child labor hampers technological advancements and innovation, slowing down long-term economic growth and development.
• Deprivation of Rights and Opportunities:
  • Child labor deprives children of their rights to education, health, protection, and participation, limiting their future opportunities and social mobility.
• Undermined Social Development and Cohesion:
  • Child labor weakens social development and cohesion within a country, impacting stability and democracy.
• Negative Health Impacts:
  • Child labor exposes children to hazards, physical injuries, diseases, abuse, and exploitation, adversely affecting their physical and mental well-being, mortality rates, and life expectancy.

Way Forward

• The government should enact and amend laws that prohibit and regulate child labour, in line with international standards and conventions.
• It should also ensure that the laws are effectively implemented and enforced, by allocating adequate resources, capacity, coordination, data, accountability and political will. 
• The government should provide comprehensive social protection and economic support to poor and vulnerable families, to prevent them from resorting to child labour as a coping mechanism.
• The government should ensure that all children have access to free and compulsory education up to the age of 14 years, as per the Right to Education Act 2009 and Article 21A of the Constitution.

Palliative Care in India

Why in News?

India, with nearly 20% of the world's population, faces a significant burden of non-communicable diseases. Conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory diseases are on the rise, necessitating the need for palliative care.

• However, the availability and accessibility of palliative care in India are limited.

What is Palliative Care?

• Palliative care is explicitly recognized under the human right to health and it is a type of medical care that focuses on improving the quality of life for people with serious illnesses.
  • It helps to prevent suffering and aims to identify patients who may be receiving too many medical treatments that don't improve their quality of life and may cause financial strain on their families.
  • It is meant to address physical, psychological, spiritual, and social needs for people with conditions like heart failure, kidney failure, certain neurological diseases, cancer etc.
• According to WHO, each year an estimated 40 million people are in need of palliative care, 78% of whom live in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Also worldwide, only about 14% of people who need palliative care currently receive it.
• Furthermore, WHO explicitly recognized that palliative care is part of the comprehensive services required for NCDs through the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013–2020
  • In 2019, the World Health Assembly extended the WHO Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013–2020 to 2030.

What is the Status of Palliative Care in India?

• Status:
  • Palliative care in India is primarily available in urban areas and at tertiary healthcare facilities. Only 1-2% of the estimated 7-10 million people in India who need palliative care have access to it.
• Palliative Care Programme in India:
  • Although no separate budget is allocated for the implementation of the National Palliative Care Program, palliative care is part of the ‘Mission Flexipool’ of National Health Mission (NHM).
  • National Programme for prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & stroke (NPCDCS) that was launched in 2010 and later revised as National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), also aims to address the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases in India, aims to provide promotive, preventive, and curative care across all levels of healthcare.
• Challenges:
  • Limited Awareness: There is a lack of awareness and understanding about palliative care among the general public and healthcare professionals.
    • Many people in India are not aware of the benefits of palliative care or confuse it with end-of-life care.
  • Inadequate Infrastructure and Insufficient Training: There is a shortage of dedicated palliative care centers, hospices, and trained healthcare professionals in India.
    • Also, healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other caregivers, often lack adequate training in palliative care.
    • This limits their ability to provide appropriate pain and symptom management and psychosocial support to the patient.
  • Lack of Attention Towards Pediatric Care: Paediatric palliative care has also been neglected for a long time. About 98% of children facing moderate to severe suffering during their end of life reside in lower and middle-income countries like India.
    • This could be due to diseases like cancer, birth defects, neurological conditions, etc.
    • The revised operational guidelines of NP-NCD have also not addressed this issue.
  • Limited Implementation of NPCC: The implementation of this program has been slow and uneven, resulting in limited progress in expanding palliative care services.

Way Forward

• Strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the NPPC at the state level with adequate funding, human resources, infrastructure etc.
• Developing and implementing national standards and guidelines for palliative care services and quality assurance.
• Enhancing the education and training of palliative care professionals and volunteers at various levels and settings.
• The 67^th World Health Assembly in 2014 urged the integration of palliative care into health systems at all levels.
  • There is a need to improving the referral and linkage mechanisms between different levels and types of health care providers for palliative care

Dark Patterns

Context

The Union Consumer Affairs Ministry has decided to issue specific guidelines to control the dark patterns of misleading advertisements.

What are Dark Patterns?

• Definition: A dark pattern is a user interface that has been crafted to trick or manipulate users into making choices that are detrimental to their interest.
  • Dark patterns encompass various manipulative practices such as drip pricing, disguised advertising, bait and click, choice manipulation, false urgency, and privacy concerns.
  • The term ‘Dark Patterns’ was coined by user experience designer Harry Brignull in 2010.
• Types of Dark Patterns:
  • Urgency: This tactic creates a sense of urgency or scarcity to pressure consumers into making a purchase or taking an action.
  • Basket Sneaking: Websites or apps use dark patterns to add additional products or services to the shopping cart without user consent.
  • Confirm Shaming: It involves guilt as a way to make consumers adhere. It criticizes or attack consumers for not conforming to a particular belief or viewpoint.
  • Forced Action: This involves forcing consumers into taking an action they may not want to take, such as signing up for a service in order to access content.
  • Nagging: It refers to persistent, repetitive and annoyingly constant criticism, complaints, requests for action.
  • Subscription Traps: This tactic makes it easy for consumers to sign up for a service but difficult for them to cancel it, often by hiding the cancellation option or requiring multiple steps.
  • Interface Interference: This tactic involves making it difficult for consumers to take certain actions, such as canceling a subscription or deleting an account.
  • Bait and Switch: This involves advertising one product or service but delivering another, often of lower quality.
  • Hidden Costs: This tactic involves hiding additional costs from consumers until they are already committed to making a purchase.
  • Disguised Ads: Disguised ads are advertisements that are designed to look like other types of content, such as news articles or user-generated content.
• Working of Dark Patterns: These deceptive practices prompt the users to buy a particular product or a service even when they do not give their exclusive consent. Some examples are:
  • Tech Firms: Social media companies and Big Tech firms such as Apple, Amazon, Skype, Facebook, LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Google use dark or deceptive patterns to downgrade the user experience to their advantage.
  • Amazon: Amazon came under fire in the EU for its confusing, multi-step cancellation process for the Amazon Prime subscription.
    • After communicating with consumer regulators, Amazon made its cancellation process easier for online customers in European countries.
  • LinkedIn: In social media, LinkedIn users often receive unsolicited, sponsored messages from influencers.
    • Disabling this option is a difficult process with multiple steps that requires users to be familiar with the platform controls.
  • Instagram: As Meta-owned Instagram pivots to video-based content to compete against TikTok, users have complained that they are being shown suggested posts they did not wish to see and that they were unable to permanently set preferences.
  • You Tube: Google-owned YouTube nudges users to sign up for YouTube Premium with pop-ups, obscuring the final seconds of a video with thumbnails of other videos, a way of disrupting what should have been an otherwise smooth user experience.
• Problems with Dark Patterns: Dark patterns confuse users, introduce online obstacles, make simple tasks time-consuming, have users sign up for unwanted services/products, and force them to pay more money or share more personal information than they intended.
  • By using dark patterns, digital platforms take away a user’s right to full information about the services they are using, and reduce their control over their browsing experience.
  • Dark patterns endanger the experience of Internet users and make them more vulnerable to financial and data exploitation by Big Tech firms.
  • Dark Patterns are designed to subvert or impair user autonomy, decision-making or choice.
  • Dark Patterns can lead to unintended purchases, addiction and overuse and privacy violations.
  • Deceptive patterns in online advertising mislead consumers, ruin their online experience, and erode trust in brands and advertising.
  • Subscription traps, the tactic that makes it easy for consumers to sign up for a service but difficult for them to cancel it, and hiding additional costs, particularly by travel and tourism websites.
  • The increasing prevalence of these deceptive practices that infringe on consumer rights.
  • As per a report by US Federal Trade Commission, as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) platforms and devices grow in usage, dark patterns will likely follow users to these new channels as well.
• Global Laws Against Dark Patterns: Several governments across the globe have defined ‘dark patterns’ and brought in strict laws against them.
  • US:  In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission [FTC] has taken note of dark patterns and the risks they pose. In a report released in September 2022 year, the regulatory body listed over 30 dark patterns, many of which are considered standard practice across social media platforms and e-commerce sites.
    • FTC report outlined its legal action against Amazon in 2014, for a supposedly “free” children’s app that fooled its young users into making in-app purchases that their parents had to pay for.
  • EU: The European Union has enacted Digital Services Act (DSA) to curb the menace of dark pattern and create a safer digital space in which the fundamental rights of all users of digital services are protected.
    • DSA regulates digital services that act as “intermediaries” in their role of connecting consumers with content, goods and services.
    • This means not only are the likes of Facebook and Google within the scope of the bill, but also Amazon and app stores.
    • Violations carry the threat of a fine of 6% of global turnover and, in the most serious cases, a temporary suspension of the service.
• Need to Regulate Dark Patterns in India: Digital space has become an integral part of the consumer’s life, significantly influencing how they consume information, goods and services.
  • Certain aspects of UI/UX design and online choice architecture guide consumer choices. However, when manipulated to the detriment of consumers, they become a cause of concern.
  • Online space in India has experienced an impressive growth in recent years, with the number of internet connections reaching 830 million in 2021.
  • Moreover, India’s consumer digital economy is anticipated to hit the US$1 trillion mark by 2030, growing from US$537.5 billion in 2020.
  • This is attributed to the strong adoption of online services like eCommerce and edtech in the country.
  • With the growing penetration of the internet and rising smartphone usage in India, consumers are increasingly choosing e-commerce as the preferred mode of shopping.
    • In such a scenario, it is essential that online platforms do not indulge in unfair trade practices by incorporating dark patterns which result in a harmful or undesirable outcome for the consumer.
• Regulatory Framework in India:
  • Consumer Protection Act 2019: Deceptive patterns that manipulate consumer choice and impede their right to be well informed constitute unfair practices that are prohibited under the Consumer Protection Act 2019.
  • Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA): It is one of the two Departments under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. Implementation of Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
  • Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI):
    • It is an independent, voluntary self-regulatory organization formed in 1985 by professionals from the advertising and media industry to keep Indian ads decent.
    • It aims to ensure advertisements in India are fair, honest and are compliant with the ASCI Code.
• Way Forward for India: 
  • Guidelines by the Centre: The Department of Consumer Affairs will frame specific guidelines with the Advertising Standards Council of India to curb the menace of dark patterns.
  • Industry Self-Regulation:  The Government has asked e-commerce firms like lipkart, Zomato, Amazon, Meta, Google to create a self-regulatory framework to stop these practices.
    • Online platforms can establish ethical design guidelines that discourage the use of dark patterns.
    • Encouraging responsible design practices and conducting independent audits can help identify and rectify dark pattern issues.
    • The self-regulatory measures may also include prohibiting specific kinds of dark patterns, fostering consumer-friendly digital choice architecture and empowering regulators.
  • Equipping Users: Equipping users with tools and resources that allow them to make informed choices online is another potential solution.
    • This could include browser extensions, apps or plugins that detect and block dark patterns or platforms providing clearer and more accessible settings and privacy options.
  • Reporting of Cases: Users should be encouraged to report instances of dark patterns they encounter and platforms should establish clear channels for users to provide feedback and report manipulative practices.
    • The Union Consumer Affairs Ministry has also urged consumers to flag such manipulative online practices on the National Consumer Helpline by calling ‘1915’ or through a WhatsApp message to 8800001915.
  • MSME Merchants: In addition to promoting awareness about dark patterns among consumers, small and medium scale MSME merchants must also be made aware as they account for a huge portion of online sellers.

World Hepatitis Day

Context

World Hepatitis Day is an annual event that takes place on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and its impact on global health. The main goal of this day is to promote prevention, testing, and treatment while showing support for those affected by hepatitis.

Details

• Viral hepatitis is a hidden killer, causing many deaths every year. World Hepatitis Day aims to increase public awareness about the problem and the necessary steps to improve efforts in the prevention, screening, and control of viral hepatitis.
• The theme for World Hepatitis Day 2023 is "One life, one liver," which focuses on creating awareness about viral hepatitis. Each year, the day has a specific theme to enhance understanding of the global hepatitis situation and promote positive action.

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis is a serious global health concern due to its prevalence and potential long-term impact on liver health. It can result in liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer), leading to increased mortality rates worldwide.
• Viral hepatitis is a major public health challenge, causing millions of acute infections and contributing to over a million deaths annually.
• Hepatitis-related medical costs, loss of productivity, and healthcare expenses put a considerable economic burden on individuals and healthcare systems.
• Chronic hepatitis can affect an individual's quality of life, leading to social stigma and discrimination.

Swachh Bharat ission-Urban

Why in News?

The Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs recently said that Swachhata has become a foundational tenet in not just every govt scheme but also in the way of life of citizens.

• The Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) was the first large-scale programme to instil the principle of Jan Bhagidari.
• Also, ‘Swachhotsav - 2023: Rally for Garbage Free Cities’ was held in New Delhi as part of India’s celebration of the International Day of Zero Waste 2023.

What is International Day of Zero Waste?

• The International Day of Zero Waste, observed for the first time on 30 March 2023 and is jointly facilitated by UNEP and UN-Habitat.
  • It aims to raise awareness of the importance of zero waste and responsible consumption and production practices and urban waste management contributing to achieving sustainable development.
• The day calls on rethinking our practices and for embracing a circular economy as a key for addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss and pollution, and putting the planet, and humanity, on a path to health and prosperity.

What is the Status of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban?

• Achievements:
  • Open Defecation Free (ODF):
    • Urban India has become Open Defecation Free (ODF), with all 4,715 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) completely ODF.
    • 3,547 ULBs are ODF+ with functional and hygienic community and public toilets, and 1,191 ULBs are ODF++ with complete faecal sludge management.
  • Waste Processing:
    • Waste Processing in India has gone up by over 4 times from 17% in 2014 to 75% in 2023, aided through 100% door-to-door waste collection in 97% wards and source segregation of waste being practised by citizens across almost 90% wards in all ULBs in the country.
  • Garbage Free Cities:
    • The Garbage Free Cities (GFC)-Star rating protocol launched in January 2018 has increased from only 56 cities in the first year to 445 cities till date, with an ambitious target of having at least 1,000 3-star GFC by October 2024.
    • The 2023-24 budget has reinforced India's commitment to building a circular economy through an enhanced focus on scientific management of dry and wet waste.
• Women in Spotlight:
  • Rally for Garbage Free Cities:
    • The Rally for Garbage Free Cities is a women-led Jan Andolan, where lakhs of citizens have taken on the responsibility of cleaning their streets, neighbourhoods, and parks.
  • ‘Stories of Change' Compendium:
    • The 'Stories of Change' Compendium captures some of the amazing on-ground successes of more than 300 women Self-Help Group members who have travelled across cities to learn various waste management models.
    • 4 lakh women are directly engaged in sanitation and waste management as an enterprise in urban India, providing dignity and livelihood opportunities for women.
• Challenges:
  • Lack of Waste Management Infrastructure: India has a shortage of infrastructure and resources to manage waste effectively. Many cities lack adequate landfill sites, waste processing facilities, and waste collection systems.
    • For example - the Ghazipur landfill in Delhi, which has exceeded its capacity causing air and water pollution and posing a health hazard to nearby residents.
  • Unsustainable Packaging: The popularity of online retail and food delivery apps, though restricted to big cities, is contributing to the rise in plastic waste.
    • E-commerce companies too have come under fire for excess use of plastic packaging.
    • Also, there are usually no disposal instructions included with packaged products.
  • Lack of Data Collection Mechanism: India lacks time series data or panel data in connection with solid or liquid waste.
    • So it is very difficult for the waste planners of the country to analyse the economy of waste management.

Way Forward

• City Composting Centers: Composting centres can be established in cities to reuse organic waste, which will enhance soil carbon content and eliminate the need for chemical fertilisers.
  • Compost will also help in carbon dioxide sequestration by storing carbon back into the soil.
• Extended Producer Responsibility: There is a need to devise the mechanism for Extended Producer Responsibility in India to ensure that product manufacturers are made financially responsible for various parts of the life cycle of their products.
  • It includes take-back, recycling and final disposal at the end of their useful life, in a way promoting circular economy.
• Behavioural Change Towards Waste and Waste-Pickers: Waste is often viewed as useless, and waste collectors are often isolated. There is a need to change this perception and look at proper waste management.
  • Also, ULBs should reward waste pickers by providing incentives and spreading awareness to the public regarding their social inclusion.
  • The inclusion of waste pickers is crucial not only for their own health and livelihoods, but for the economies of municipalities as well.

WHO’s Food Marketing Recommendations for Child Protection

Why in News?

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidelines, to help countries shape policies to protect children from the harmful effects of food marketing that promote unhealthy dietary choices.

• The guidelines recommend the implementation of comprehensive mandatory policies to restrict the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages that are high in saturated fatty acids, High trans-fatty acids, sugars, and salt (HFSS) to children of all ages.
• These guidelines are built on the WHO’s 'Set of recommendations on the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children' released in 2010.

What are the Policy Recommendations to Protect Children from Food Marketing?

• Recommendations:
  • Comprehensive Mandatory Policies:
    • Restrict the marketing of HFSS foods and non-alcoholic beverages to protect children
    • Policies of countries should restrict advertisements of HFSS foods covering various marketing channels and forms, including TV, radio, print, online platforms, social media, mobile devices, games, schools, public spaces, and point-of-sale.
  • Age Limit:
    • The age limit for protection should be up to 18 years, aligning with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • Nutrient Profile and Country Context:
    • A nutrient profile model should be used to define HFSS foods and beverages based on scientific criteria adapted to the country context.
    • The guidelines emphasize the importance of considering the country's context, including its nutritional situation, cultural context, locally available foods, dietary customs, available resources and capacities, existing governance structures, and mechanisms, when formulating policies.
  • Persuasive Techniques:
    • Prohibition of persuasive techniques appealing to children, such as cartoons, celebrities, toys, games, discounts, or free gifts.
    • Effective mechanisms for monitoring, enforcement, and evaluation of policies are necessary.
  • Involvement of Stakeholders:
    • Involvement of relevant stakeholders in policy development and implementation, ensuring transparency and avoiding conflicts of interest.
• Importance:
  • Evidence-Informed Guidance:
    • Policy recommendations provide evidence-informed guidance to protect children from harmful food marketing.
    • Address gaps and challenges in current policies, highlighting the need for stronger regulations.
  • Urgent Action Needed:
    • Recommendations respond to the urgent need for action due to the increasing burden of childhood obesity and non-communicable diseases.
    • Childhood obesity rates are projected to rise, posing a significant public health concern.
  • Long-Term Health Impact:
    • Childhood obesity is associated with increased mortality in adulthood.
    • Implementing effective policies can help mitigate long-term health consequences.
  • Protecting Children's Rights:
    • Recommendations prioritize the best interest of children, ensuring their right to health and adequate food.
    • Policies aimed at curbing harmful marketing practices benefit children's well-being.

What are the Harmful Effects of Food Marketing on Children?

• Food marketing uses persuasive techniques to influence children's food attitudes, preferences, and consumption.
• HFSS foods (high in saturated fatty acids, trans-fatty acids, free sugars, and salt) are the main focus of food marketing which are associated with increased risks of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and dental caries.
• Food marketing affects children's food choices by promoting unhealthy options over healthier ones. It also increases the frequency and amount of HFSS foods consumed.
• Food marketing displaces the consumption of nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables and undermines parental influence on healthy eating.
• Food marketing can mislead children about the nutritional quality and health benefits of HFSS foods. It may exploit emotional appeals, peer pressure, or celebrity endorsement to influence children's food choices.

Empowering India’s Senior Citizens

Why in News?

Recently, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment provided valuable insights into the accomplishments of the Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine(SAGE) Portal and Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED) Portal the significant contributions made under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY).

• These initiatives have been instrumental in addressing the needs and concerns of India's senior citizens, fostering innovation, providing employment opportunities, and ensuring the overall well-being of the elderly population.

What is SAGE Portal?

• The SAGE Portal serves as a catalyst to attract entrepreneurs and start-ups to invest in the "silver economy" segment, fostering innovation in elderly care solutions.
• SAGE provides convenient "one-stop access" for stakeholders, including senior citizens and their families, to discover and access a wide range of products and services catering to their needs.
• The government plays a crucial role as a facilitator, enabling the elderly to access the products and services offered by identified start-ups through the SAGE Portal.
  • Selected start-ups or start-up ideas receive equity support of up to Rs. 1 crore per project through the Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI).
  • The government ensures that the total government equity in the start-up does not exceed 49%.

What is SACRED Portal?

• SACRED Portal empower senior citizens and provide them with opportunities for re-employment.
• This portal specifically targets citizens aged 60 years and above, focusing on the needs and requirements of this age group.
• The portal provides opportunities for senior citizens to find suitable jobs and work options that match their preferences and skills.
• The SACRED Portal employs a virtual matching system that aligns the preferences of senior citizens with private enterprises seeking experienced individuals.
• Through job opportunities, the SACRED Portal helps senior citizens attain financial security and reduces their dependence on external support.

What is Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY)?

• About:
  • The AVYAY aims to provide holistic support for senior citizens.
• Components:
  • Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC):
    • This component grants aid to implementing agencies to run and maintain Senior Citizens Homes, offering shelter, food, medical care, and entertainment opportunities for indigent senior citizens.
  • State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC):
    • States and Union Territories receive grant-in-aid to create a pool of trained geriatric caregivers, conduct special cataract drives, and implement other state-specific welfare activities for indigent senior citizens.
  • Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY):
    • This component provides eligible senior citizens suffering from age-related disabilities with assisted living devices, enhancing their bodily functions and overcoming their disabilities.
  • Elderline - National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC):
    • The Elderline offers a toll-free helpline (14567) to provide free information, guidance, emotional support, and field intervention in cases of abuse, ensuring an improved quality of life for senior citizens.
  • Senior-care Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE): This component aims to encourage youth to think about the problems of the elderly and come up with innovative ideas for elderly care and promote them into start-ups by providing equity support.
• Outcomes:
  • Nearly 1.5 lakh beneficiaries are staying in the Senior Citizen homes.
  • During the last 3 financial years a total of Rs. 288.08 crore grants in aid released and number of beneficiaries is 3,63,570.
  • Improved quality of life and social integration for indigent elderly individuals.
  • Promotion of an inclusive society that values and respects senior citizens.
  • Economic growth through the development of the "silver economy" and employment generation.

What are the Other Initiatives Related to Elderly in India?

• National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP)
• National Social Assistance Programme
• Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)
• SAMPANN Project

Sarpanch-patism

Why in News?

Recently, the Supreme Court of India was approached by the Mundona Rural Development Foundation, an NGO, regarding the issue of "sarpanch-patism" in the panchayat system.

• However, the Supreme Court clarified that it is not within its jurisdiction to directly address the issue. Instead, the court advised the NGO to approach the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and urged the government to take appropriate action to empower women and implement reservation objectives.

What is Sarpanch-patism?

• Sarpanch-patism is a term used to describe the situation where men act as “sarpanch-pati, sarpanch-devar, pradhan-pati” etc. while wielding the actual political and decision-making power behind women who are elected as sarpanchs or pradhans in the panchayat system.
• Sarpanch-patism undermines the spirit and purpose of women’s reservation in panchayats, which was introduced by the 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 to empower women at the grassroots level and improve their socio-economic conditions through representative democracy.
• Sarpanch-patism also violates the constitutional rights and dignity of women, who are reduced to “faceless wives and daughters-in-law” in grassroots politics.
• It deprives them of their agency, autonomy, and voice in public affairs.
• Sarpanch-patism also affects the quality and effectiveness of governance and service delivery at the local level, as it creates a gap between the elected representatives and the people. It also leads to corruption, and misuse of funds.

What are the Challenges in Tackling Sarpanch-patism?

• Overcoming patriarchal norms, attitudes and practices that hinder women’s participation and empowerment in public life.
• Resisting political interference, pressure, and violence from dominant groups or parties that seek to control or influence panchayats.
• Socio-economic barriers such as poverty, illiteracy, lack of mobility, etc., that limit women’s access to resources and opportunities.
• Balancing domestic responsibilities and public roles for women without compromising their health or well-being.

What are the Constitutional Provisions for Women Representation in PRIs?

• The Article 243D of the Constitution of India, inserted through the 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1992, mandates a reservation of not less than one- third for women in PRIs nationwide.
• This has been increased to 50% reservation in several states like Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar etc in their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts.
• Article 243D also provides that one-third of the total number of seats and offices of the Chairpersons in PRIs at each level shall be reserved for women to be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat.
• Such reservations of seats and offices of the chairpersons for women are also within the reservations for SCs and STs in all three tiers of PRIs.

What are the Efforts by Government to Promote Women in PRIs?

• Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA):
  • RGSA launched in 2018 to enhance PRIs' capacities for responsive rural governance, leveraging technology and resources for sustainable solutions aligned with SDGs. It also incentivized women's participation in PRIs.
• Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP):
  • GPDP guidelines that are relevant to Women Empowerment include proactive participation of women in budgeting, planning, implementation and monitoring of GPDP and convening Mahila Sabhas prior to the general Gram Sabhas and their inclusion in Gram Sabhas and GPDP.

Way Forward

• Providing capacity building and leadership development programs for women representatives.
• Strengthening the role and functioning of gram sabhas (village assemblies) to ensure participation and accountability of women representatives.
• Creating awareness and sensitization campaigns among men and women on gender equality and democracy.
• Ensuring adequate financial and administrative support for women representatives.
• Enacting laws and policies to prevent and punish sarpanch-patism and other forms of proxy politics.