Indian Society & Social Justice - 5 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Packed Food and Health Concerns

Why in News?

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) have emphasized the importance of scrutinizing food labels to mitigate health risks. Their latest report offers guidelines for healthy eating practices and cautions against misleading claims found on packaged foods.

Key Recommendations for a Healthier Lifestyle

• Moderation in Consumption: The guidelines highlight the necessity of using oils and fats sparingly while reducing salt and sugar intake. These changes can significantly lower the risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, and potentially prevent up to 80% of cases related to type 2 diabetes.
• Exercise and Physical Activity: Regular physical activity, paired with a well-balanced diet, is crucial in preventing obesity and other health issues. Decreased physical activity and the rise in consumption of heavily processed foods contribute to nutrient deficiencies and weight gain.
• Dietary Diversity and Nutrient Intake: It is advised to obtain macronutrients and micronutrients from at least eight different food groups to ensure a balanced diet, meeting the nutritional needs of individuals across all age groups.
• Limiting Ultra-Processed Foods: The guidelines stress the need to limit ultra-processed foods in diets, as these items tend to be high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, leading to health complications and nutrient shortages.
• Informed Food Choices: Consumers are encouraged to develop the habit of checking food labels to make healthier dietary choices, helping to prevent obesity by steering clear of high-sugar, high-fat, and high-salt products.
• Avoid Protein Supplements: The guidelines advise against the use of protein supplements for muscle enhancement, noting that they provide only minimal benefits in muscle growth and can lead to adverse effects like bone mineral loss and kidney issues when consumed in excess.

How can the Guidelines Benefit Populations?

• Pregnant Women and New Mothers: Increased access to nutritious foods is vital for the health of both mother and child, decreasing the risk of complications.
• Infants and Young Children: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is crucial for optimal physical and cognitive development, followed by the introduction of complementary foods.
• Children and Adolescents: A balanced diet is essential for learning, growth, and physical activity, contributing to optimal development.
• Elderly People: Focusing on nutrient-dense foods addresses specific health needs, such as bone health and immune function, thereby enhancing the quality of life.

How can Packaged Foods be Misleading?

• Attention-Grabbing Labels: Many packaged foods utilize labels designed to attract consumers' attention and suggest health benefits, which can be deceptive.
• 'Natural' Claims: Foods labeled as 'natural' may still contain preservatives and artificial colors, creating confusion among consumers. Terms like "natural," "organic," and "sugar-free" can be vague and misleading. True organic products should not contain any preservatives or artificial substances and should carry the 'Jaivik Bharat' logo, which is regulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• Packaged Juice Labels: FSSAI regulations allow juices with as little as 10% natural fruit to be marketed as made from real pulp or juice, potentially misleading consumers about their actual content.
• Fruit Ripening: The use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits poses health risks, as it releases acetylene gas, which contains harmful substances like arsenic and phosphorus, leading to various health issues. This practice has been banned, and only ethylene gas is permitted for fruit ripening.
• Contamination of Chemical: Recent bans on certain Indian spice mixes in Nepal, Singapore, and Hong Kong due to suspected ethylene oxide contamination raise significant public health concerns regarding misleading packaging.
• Whole Grain Misrepresentation: Some products may claim to contain whole grains but actually consist mainly of refined grains, misleading consumers about their nutritional value.

Way Forward

• Standardisation of Terminology: Clear definitions and standardized usage of terms like "natural," "organic," and "sugar-free" are essential to prevent consumer confusion. Labels should clearly disclose all processing methods and potential contaminants.
• Nutritional Literacy: Integrating nutritional education into school curricula can help foster the habit of reading food labels and making informed choices from an early age.
• Taxation and Subsidies: Implementing taxes on ultra-processed foods while providing subsidies for whole foods can make healthier dietary options more accessible and affordable.
• Mobile Applications: Developing apps that scan product barcodes to provide detailed nutritional analyses and health ratings can assist consumers in making informed dietary decisions.
• Meal Planning Tools: Evidence-based dietary guidelines tailored to the Indian population should be created and made available, along with meal planning resources to encourage healthy eating habits.
• Health Policies: These guidelines align with the goals of the National Nutrition Policy and support government initiatives aimed at promoting holistic nutrition and health. Encouragement of local farmers' markets and kitchen gardens can also improve access to fresh produce.

Hooch Tragedy in Kallakurichi

Why in news?

Recently, a tragic event occurred in North Tamil Nadu where 39 individuals lost their lives after consuming hooch contaminated with methanol. Many others remain in critical condition, leading to fears that the death toll may rise further, marking this incident as one of the most severe hooch tragedies in recent history.

• Signs of danger were evident following a previous hooch incident in 2023 in Marakkanam and Madhuranthakam, where industrial methanol was reportedly diverted for illicit alcohol production.
• Family members of the deceased highlighted the easy access to inexpensive hooch in their area, noting that local moonshine is priced significantly lower than store-bought alcohol.
• Many locals, struggling with irregular incomes as daily wage workers and facing rising liquor prices at TASMAC shops, have turned to local brews.
• The Tamil Nadu Prohibition Enforcement Wing is responsible for addressing these issues, but serious action is needed.
• In response to the tragedy, the state government has taken steps against district officials and established a one-man committee to investigate the incident.
• The Chief Minister announced a financial support of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those hospitalized.
• The CB-CID has initiated an investigation into the matter.
• Despite these measures being implemented post-tragedy, they may be viewed as insufficient and delayed.
• Methanol, a highly toxic substance, is often mixed into moonshine to enhance its potency, leading to severe health risks such as liver failure, blindness, and even death.
• In the past, the introduction of low-cost liquor sales through TASMAC in 2002 helped reduce deaths related to hooch.
• Despite regulations limiting methanol supply, it appears to be still accessible, raising concerns about enforcement and public safety.
• To prevent further tragedies, the government must decisively shut down illegal brewing operations and enhance public health awareness regarding the dangers of consuming hooch.

Conclusion

Effective governance requires proactive strategies to avert incidents like the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. This involves stringent law enforcement, fostering public health awareness, and eliminating illicit brewing activities.

Maternity Leave for Surrogates

Why in news?

Recently, the Government has announced an amendment to the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, which allows maternity leave and additional benefits for government employees who have children through surrogacy. This change aims to fill the existing gap in leave policies for government employees choosing surrogacy.

What are the Provisions of Notified Amended Rules?

• Maternity Leave for Surrogate and Commissioning Mothers: Women government employees who have children via surrogacy can now take 180 days of maternity leave. This provision is applicable to both the surrogate mother and the commissioning mother (the intended mother) if they have less than two surviving children.
• Paternity Leave for Commissioning Fathers: The new regulations also provide 15 days of paternity leave to the "commissioning father" (the intended father) who is a male government employee with fewer than two surviving children. This leave can be taken within six months of the child's birth.
• Child Care Leave for Commissioning Mothers: Additionally, the commissioning mother with fewer than two surviving children is entitled to childcare leave according to the existing provisions of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules.

What is Surrogacy and Related Regulation?

• About: Surrogacy involves a woman carrying and giving birth to a child for another couple, intending to hand over the child post-delivery. This practice is only allowed for altruistic reasons, particularly for couples facing infertility or health issues. Commercial surrogacy, including practices like sale or exploitation, is prohibited. A child born through surrogacy is legally recognized as the biological child of the couple.
• Abortion Regulations: The abortion of a fetus conceived through surrogacy is permitted only with the surrogate mother's consent and in accordance with the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 2021.
• Criteria for Surrogacy: Couples wishing to engage in surrogacy must be married for at least five years. The wife should be aged between 25-50 years, while the husband should be between 26-55 years. They must not have any living children unless those children have significant disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. Couples are required to present eligibility and essentiality certificates and obtain a court order for parentage and custody of the child. They must also provide insurance for the surrogate for 16 months.
• Criteria for Surrogate Mother: The surrogate must be a close relative of the couple, married, with her own child, aged between 25-35, and should have previously been a surrogate only once. She is also required to provide a medical and psychological fitness certificate.

Regulation:

• National Surrogacy Board: This board, along with State Surrogacy Boards, is tasked with overseeing surrogacy clinics and ensuring compliance with established standards.
• Prohibitions: The act forbids practices such as commercial surrogacy, embryo selling, and any form of exploitation or abandonment of surrogate mothers or their children. Violations of these regulations can result in imprisonment for up to ten years and a fine of Rs. 10 lakh.

High Court Struck Down Bihar 65% Quota Rule

Why in News?

Recently, the Patna High Court invalidated the Bihar government's initiative to raise the reservation quota from 50% to 65% for Backward Classes (BC), Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in educational institutions and government jobs. This decision has sparked significant debate regarding the legal boundaries of reservation policies in India.

Background of the High Court’s Ruling:

• In November 2023, the Bihar government issued notifications to elevate the quota for marginalized castes from 50% to 65%.
• This decision was influenced by a caste-based survey indicating a need for increased representation of BC, EBC, SC, and ST communities.
• The Bihar Assembly unanimously passed the Bihar Reservation Amendment Bill in November 2023 to enact this 65% quota.

Key Arguments in Court Verdict:

• A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenged the Bihar government's decision to exceed the 50% reservation limit.
• The Patna High Court determined that the 65% quota contravened the 50% cap established by the Supreme Court in the Indira Sawhney case (1992).
• The court asserted that the state’s decision was not justified by "adequate representation" in government jobs but was instead based on population proportions.
• It noted that the combined total of reservations, including the 10% quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), would push the total to 75%, which is unconstitutional.

Need for Extended Reservation in Bihar

Socio-Economic Backwardness of the State:

• Bihar has the lowest per capita income in India (below USD 800 annually), which is only 30% of the national average.
• The state experiences the highest fertility rate and only 12% of its population resides in urban areas, compared to the national average of 35%.
• Bihar also has the lowest college density in the country, with a considerable portion of its population living below the poverty line.

Inadequate Representation of Backward Classes:

• SC, ST, and Backward Classes make up 84.46% of Bihar's population, yet their representation in government jobs and education is not proportional.

Other Alternatives to Extending Reservation Limit

Building a Strong Foundation:

• Implement recommendations from the Right to Education (RTE) Forum to enhance early childhood development and improve teacher training.
• Shift towards interactive and technology-based learning methods.

Skilling Bihar's Youth for the Future:

• Develop skill-building programs that align with the demands of growing industries.
• Encourage entrepreneurship through initiatives like the Single-window Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) to attract businesses and foster a vibrant job market.

Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth:

• Invest in improved irrigation systems to manage floods and droughts.
• Develop a robust transport network to connect rural and urban areas.

Empowering All Residents of States:

• Promote women's education, skill development, and financial inclusion to increase their workforce participation and achieve greater social equality.
• Enforce laws more stringently to promote social harmony.

What is Reservation?

• Reservation is a form of positive discrimination aimed at promoting equality among marginalized sections and protecting them from social and historical injustices.
• This policy provides preferential treatment to marginalized groups in employment and education, originally designed to rectify years of discrimination and uplift disadvantaged communities.

Pros and Cons of Reservation:

What are the Constitutional Provisions Related to Reservations in India?

• Part XVI of the Constitution addresses the reservation of seats in Central and State legislatures.
• Article 15 allows the State to make provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes.
• Article 16 provides for positive discrimination in government jobs.
• Recent amendments have allowed for reservations in promotions and for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

What are Developments Related to Reservations in India?

Indra Sawhney Judgment, 1992:

• Upheld the constitutionality of 27% reservation for OBCs, establishing a ceiling of 50% for reservations.

M. Nagaraj Judgment, 2006:

• Introduced conditional extensions of the "creamy layer" concept to SC/ST for promotions.

Jarnail Singh vs Union of India, 2018:

• The Supreme Court ruled that states do not need to collect quantifiable data to prove the backwardness of SC/ST communities for implementing reservations.

Janhit Abhiyan v. Union of India, 2022:

• Challenged the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, which was upheld, allowing for economic-based reservations alongside existing social reservations.

Way Forward

Focus on Merit with Relaxation:

• Encourage a merit-based system with some relaxation in qualifying marks for SC/ST/OBC candidates in promotions.

Data-Driven Approach:

• Assess the current representation of SC/ST/OBCs to establish targets for filling reservation quotas.

Addressing Concerns:

• Acknowledge concerns regarding unqualified candidates and propose training programs to bridge skill gaps.

Long-Term Vision:

• Emphasize that reservations are a temporary measure aimed at achieving long-term social justice and equal opportunity.

Global Initiative on Digital Health

Why in News?

The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), which operates under the Ministry of Finance, has declined to approve India's proposed contribution of USD 10 million to the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH).

What is the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH)?

• Overview: GIDH is a collaborative network consisting of various organizations, institutions, and governmental technical agencies that focus on facilitating the digital transformation of health systems worldwide.
• Management: This initiative is overseen by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Objectives: Its goals include evaluating and prioritizing the needs for a sustainable digital health transformation, as well as aligning digital health resources with unmet priorities.
• Launch: GIDH was introduced during India's G20 Presidency at the Health Ministers' meeting in Gujarat in August 2023. It was included in the New Delhi declaration, where India committed to contributing USD 10 million as an initial funding source. The official launch occurred in February 2024.

Components of GIDH:

• Country Needs Tracker: This mechanism is designed to identify and monitor the digital health requirements of various countries.
• Country Resource Portal: A comprehensive map that outlines the available digital health resources within each participating country.
• Transformation Toolbox: A collection of quality-assured digital tools aimed at facilitating health transformation efforts.
• Knowledge Exchange: This component fosters the sharing of knowledge among all nations involved in the initiative.

Similar Initiatives:

• Presidency Prevention, Preparedness Response (PPR) Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF): This initiative was also launched during the G20 Presidency by Indonesia, which contributed USD 50 million as part of the initial proposal.

Greening the Education Sector

Why in news?

Recently, two new tools were launched: the Greening Curriculum Guidance (GCG) and the Green School Quality Standards (GSQS) under the Greening Education Partnership.

The Greening Education Partnership is a global initiative involving 80 member states that adopts a comprehensive approach to assist countries in addressing the climate crisis through education. The goal is to transform at least 50% of educational institutions—schools, colleges, and universities—into Green Schools by 2030, equipping learners to actively engage in sustainability initiatives. Additionally, the partnership seeks to establish a green national curriculum in 90% of countries by 2030.

This initiative is built around four main pillars of transformative education that align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 4.7:

• Greening schools
• Greening curriculum
• Greening teacher training and education systems’ capacities
• Greening communities

A recent UNESCO study revealed that 70% of the youth surveyed expressed limited knowledge of climate change based on their school education. Furthermore, research on the integration of climate change in national curriculum frameworks across 100 countries uncovered significant challenges, with nearly 47% of the curricula not addressing climate change.

According to UNESCO, a Green School is defined as an educational institution that is committed to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), particularly focusing on climate change.

Principles of a Green School:

• Holistic Education: This involves fostering overall development by promoting critical thinking, creativity, self-awareness, empathy, and ethical values among students. It emphasizes personalized, experiential learning, interdisciplinary approaches, and community engagement to effectively tackle climate change.
• Sustainability Practices: Green Schools adopt sustainable practices in energy management, water usage, waste handling, canteen operations, and schoolyard design, thereby minimizing their environmental impact and promoting the health of students and staff.
• Sense of Responsibility: Integrating ESD into the curriculum aims to cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a sense of global citizenship in students.
• Alignment with Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF): The Green School Quality Standards integrate safety, resilience, and sustainability within educational environments, following the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector's CSSF launched for 2022-2030.

What are the Major Challenges in Greening the Education Sector in India?

• Lack of Comprehensive Sustainability Policies: Despite some efforts to promote sustainability, India currently lacks a cohesive national policy framework that mandates the integration of environmental sustainability principles across all educational levels.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Many educational institutions, especially in rural and semi-urban regions, lack essential infrastructure, hindering the implementation of sustainable practices.
• Limited Integration of Sustainability in Curricula: Although environmental studies are included in many school curricula, broader sustainability concepts and practices are not sufficiently incorporated into mainstream subjects.
• Inadequate Teacher Training and Professional Development: To effectively teach sustainability, educators need to be well-versed in environmental principles and teaching methodologies. However, many teacher training programs do not provide adequate resources or training in these areas.
• Limited Availability of Green Building Materials and Technologies: The transition to sustainable building materials and technologies in India's construction sector is ongoing, and challenges like higher costs and limited availability hinder the adoption of eco-friendly practices in educational institutions, particularly in more remote areas.

Way Forward

• Eco-Influencer Campaigns: Utilizing social media influencers and student leaders to increase awareness of sustainability and inspire eco-friendly behaviors through engaging content and campaigns aimed at the student community.
• Green Pedagogy Workshops: Hosting workshops and training sessions for educators to explore effective teaching methods for integrating sustainability concepts, including project-based and experiential learning.
• Sustainability-Linked Procurement Policy: Encouraging schools to use energy-efficient appliances and promote eco-friendly purchases, such as recycled paper notebooks, to reduce environmental impact and instill responsible consumer behavior among students.
• Environmental Entrepreneurship Competitions: Organizing competitions for students to devise innovative solutions to local environmental issues, fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and a spirit of green innovation.

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