Exam View: The lack of data for policy-making; a case study of milk consumption data.

Context: The absence of Census and household consumer expenditure survey data has reduced policymaking in India to shooting in the dark

Decoding the editorial: The lack of data for policy-making

• India has conducted every decennial Census between 1881 and 2011, including in 1941 at the height of World War II.
  • However, there’s been no Census after 2011.
• HCE surveys, providing granular data on consumption of food and non-food items based on large nationwide household samples, were carried out every five years or less in 1972-73, 1977-78, 1983, 1987-88, 1993-94, 1999-2000, 2004-05, 2009-10 and 2011-12.
  • The National Statistical Office did an HCE survey in 2017-18, but its findings were junked and the results not released.

• India’s population will hit 1,428.6 million by mid-2023, overtaking China‘s 1,425.7 million for the first time.
  • But these are United Nations projections, not actual counting of heads, that use data from past censuses and estimates of fertility, mortality and international migration.

Case study: Milk consumption data

Milk is one example where official output numbers are out of sync with available or derived consumption data.

• The 2011-12 HCE survey revealed the monthly per capita consumption of milk at 4.33 litres for rural and 5.42 litres for urban India.
  • These translated into a daily per capita of 149 gm and 186 gm respectively (1 litre=1.03 kg) or a simple average of 167.5 gm.
  • The 167.5 gm average consumption was well below the daily per capita milk production estimate of 289 gm for 2011-12 by the department of animal husbandry and dairying (DAHD).
  • The difference can partly be attributed to the HCE survey covering only milk consumed by households, both directly or transformed at home.
  • It excludes the milk consumed by businesses. But even if such consumption was taken at 50 percent over and above that by households, it would add up to just over 251 gm.
• The accompanying table shows per capita milk consumption based on HCE surveys from 1993-94 to 2011-12, along with the DAHD’s estimates of per capita production for these years. It can be seen that the gap between the two has only widened.

• For 2021-22, the DAHD has estimated per capita milk availability at a whopping 444 gm or 431 ml per day, which comes to nearly 2.2 litres for a family of five. And this is the average for India’s population across states, rich and poor, the young, the old and babies.
  • The DAHD has estimated daily per capita production way higher at 1,271 gm in Punjab, 1,150 gm in Rajasthan and 1,081 gm in Haryana.
  • And even if the 431 ml per capita figure includes consumption by businesses, and that is liberally assumed at 50 percent over and above that by households, the resultant average of 288 works out to almost 1.5 litres per family per day.

• • The reality closer to the ground might be 1.5 litres every two days.
• The DAHD’s data shows the country’s milk production rising from 137.69 to 221.06 million tonnes between 2013-14 and 2021-22, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1 per cent.

• • During the same period, however, average liquid milk sales of cooperative dairies have grown by just 3.6 per cent per year.

• Income elasticity of demand
  • Economists have estimated every 1 per cent rise in household incomes to generate over 1.6 per cent additional consumption demand for milk and milk products in India. That income elasticity of demand is even more, at 2-2.3, for low-income and very poor households.
  • If milk consumption is growing only at 3-3.5 per cent, the same may apply to other protein and micronutrient-rich foods. It only points to real incomes not growing like they did during 2000-15.

India is a country known for having built an independent, robust, credible and transparent statistical system from the time of P C Mahalanobis and C R Rao. Framing policy in the absence of data is like giving a prescription sans diagnosis.

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/harish-damodaran-data-government-policy-prescriptions-guesswork-8589621/

In News: Recently, the All-Tribal Students' Union of Manipur, organized a solidarity march to show their opposition towards the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei Community in the List of State's Scheduled Tribes (ST). The march broke into violent clashes after an order from the Manipur High Court, directing the State to pursue a 10-year-old recommendation to grant ST status to the non-tribal Meitei community.

Reasons why the Meitei community is seeking ST status:

Since 2012, the Meitei community, under the leadership of the Scheduled Tribes Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM), has been requesting constitutional safeguards in the form of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. As per 2011 Census data, the Meitei population, which was 59% of the total population of Manipur in 1951, has now been reduced to 44%.

• Protection of identity: The Meitei community feels that the ST status would help protect their unique cultural identity and traditional practices, which they believe are threatened by outside influences.
• Socio-economic development: The ST status would enable the Meitei community to access various socio-economic development programs and initiatives that are specifically designed for ST communities, including education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
• Political representation: The ST status would also enable the Meitei community to have greater political representation, as ST communities are given reserved seats in the legislature and other political bodies.
• Historical injustice: Many Meitei activists argue that the community has faced historical injustice and discrimination and that ST status would help rectify these past injustices.

Reasons why Other Tribal Groups in Manipur opposing the Demand of Meiteis:

• Majority of Meiteis: The Meitei community holds a dominant position in population and political representation, primarily due to their concentration in the valley where most of the Assembly constituencies are located. The ST communities fear that granting ST status to the Meiteis would result in them losing job opportunities and other affirmative action’s meant for STs.
• Recognised Meitei Language: Meitei language included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, and some sections of the Meitei community are already classified under Scheduled Castes (SC) or Other Backward Classes (OBC).
• Political Influence: Some critics suggest that the demand for ST status by the Meitei community is an attempt by the dominant Meitei population residing in the valley area to gain political influence and control over the hill areas of the state. They believe that this demand is being used to divert attention from the political demands of other tribal groups, such as the Kukis and Nagas.
• Eviction of Tribal Groups: One of the other reasons for the discontent has been the state government’s notices since August 2022 claiming that 38 villages in the Churachandpur-Khoupum Protected Forest area is illegal settlements” and its residents are “encroachers”.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-what-is-behind-manipurs-widespread-unrest/article66814975.ece

In News: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the end of the Covid-19 global health emergency.

About Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC):

• PHEIC is a formal declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) of an extraordinary event that constitutes a public health risk to other countries through the international spread of disease.
• It was created under the International Health Regulations (IHR) to facilitate coordinated international responses to global public health threats.
• It is declared when an event poses a risk of the international spread of disease and potentially requires a coordinated international response.
• It is an official declaration that requires countries to report their health status and follow WHO's recommendations to manage and contain the emergency.
• The declaration allows countries to take specific measures and mobilize resources to address the emergency, including quarantining affected individuals, limiting travel, and establishing public health measures.
• The first PHEIC was declared in 2009 during the H1N1 influenza pandemic while the COVID-19 pandemic is the most recent PHEIC declared by WHO in 2020.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/05/health/who-ends-covid-health-emergency/index.html

In News: India emerging as a top destination for clinical trials, says report

About India as Clinical Trail destination:

• Clinical trials are research studies that involve human participants to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs, medical devices, or treatment methods for the development of new medical treatments and therapies.
• Clinical trial activity in India has been increasing steadily since 2014 due to regulatory reforms resulting in streamlined approval processes and reducing timelines by 30-40%.
• Despite its large population, India's contribution to global clinical trials has averaged only about 4% per year from 2010 to 2022.
• Among the top 20 pharma companies, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and J&J are the top sponsors of clinical trials in India.
• India has however in recent years introduced several exemptions and provisions such as conducting clinical trials in tier-2 and tier-3 cities which have resulted in higher access to patients and investigators.

Regulation of Clinical Trials in India:

• The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
• The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945
• Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) as the regulatory body responsible for overseeing and monitoring clinical trials in India.
• New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules 2019

https://m.economictimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/healthcare/india-emerging-as-a-top-destination-for-clinical-trials-says-report/articleshow/100022411.cms

In News: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) under the Ministry of Power has released a report titled “Optimal generation capacity mix for 2029-30:

Key findings of the Report:

• The installed capacity of India by the end of 2029-30 is expected to rise to 777,144 MW of which 292,566 MW will be from Solar photovoltaic while 251,683 MW from Coal and lignite.
• The Nuclear energy will form 15,480 MW while nearly 5,350 MW will be produced from Small hydro projects.
• The Projected Electricity Generation in 2029-30 will rise to 2,440.7 billion units (BUs) of which Thermal (coal, gas, and lignite) will account for nearly 1,364.5 Bus and renewable sources (including hydro) at 984 BUs.
• Non-fossil fuel generation contribution is estimated to be around 44% of gross electricity generation in 2029-30
• India is committed to reducing the Emissions Intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 and achieving about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
• Large-scale integration of variable renewable energy sources envisaged to meet the target of achieving 50% of non-fossil fuel-based installed capacity by 2030
• In this regard, India has launched a National Hydrogen Mission which is envisioned to make India a green hydrogen hub with the target of production of 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.

https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/etanalytics/reports/power/optimal-generation-capacity-mix-for-2029-30/658

In News: The existing National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) programme has been renamed National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) amid widening coverage and expansion.

About National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD):

• Addition of new diseases or disease-groups and new health initiatives have prompted the Central government to rename its programme for control and prevention of non-communicable diseases.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also decided to rename the portal under the program from Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Non-Communicable Disease (CPHC NCD IT) as National NCD Portal.
• This portal enables population enumeration, risk assessment, and screening for five common NCD, including hypertension, diabetes & breast and cervical cancers of population aged above 30.
• New diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic kidney disease were added.
• NPCDCS is being implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM) across the country.
• A study by Indian Council of Medical Research estimated that the proportion of deaths due to NCDs in India have increased from 37.9% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016.
• The four major NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) and diabetes which share four behavioural risk factors namely unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and use of tobacco and alcohol.

Source:

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/new-diseases-and-initiatives-prompt-health-ministry-to-widen-and-rename-ncd-programme/article66816673.ece

In News: The Ministry of Finance has notified changes to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), bringing in practicing chartered accountants(CA), company secretaries(CS), & cost and works accountants(CWA) carrying financial transactions on behalf of their clients into the ambit of PMLA.

About the changes in PMLA:

• Changes have been made in section 2 of PMLA, which defines different categories of persons covered under the law. Financial professionals such as CA, CS, and CWA would be defined as relevant persons for reporting transactions on behalf of their individual clients.
• Lawyers and legal professionals have been kept out in the new definition of entities covered under the PMLA.
• An activity will be recognised under the PMLA if these professionals carry out financial transactions on behalf of their client such as buying and selling of immovable property; managing of client money, or other assets; management of bank, savings, or securities accounts; creation, operation or management of companies, limited liability partnerships or trusts, and buying and selling of business entities.
• Government had already widened the ambit of reporting entities under PMLA to incorporate more disclosures for NGOs and defined politically exposed persons (PEPs) under the PMLA in line with the recommendations of FATF.
• The change in PMLA assumes significance ahead of the proposed assessment of India under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) expected to be undertaken later this year.
• The amendments are expected to aid investigative agencies in their probe against dubious transactions involving shell companies and money laundering,
• Tax experts said that professionals were already regulated by professional bodies set up under various Acts of Parliament and their inclusion in the onerous PMLA was uncalled for.

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/pmla-finance-ministry-ca-cs-accountants-financial-transactions-clients-money-laundering-law-8590871/

In News: A vessel containing 1,000 metric tonnes of cement was flagged off from the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata to officially kick-start the operation of Sittwe Port in Myanmar under Kaladan Project.

About Kaladan Project:

• Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) is a $484-million project, built under grant assistance from India to create a multi-modal platform for cargo shipments from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar and further to North-eastern parts of the country through Myanmar.
• The primary aim of the project has been to create an alternative route to connect northeast and mainland India since the narrow Siliguri Chicken’s Neck corridor is the only feasible route for transportation.
• Kaladan Project is an example of the co-operation and commitments between India and Myanmar which will further enhance trade, commerce and economic ties with Myanmar, our north-eastern states, and South Asian countries.

Sittwe Port:

• Sittwe Port has been developed under a framework agreement between India and Myanmar for the construction and operation of a multimodal transit transport facility on Kaladan River connecting the port with Mizoram.
• The port connects to Paletwa in Myanmar through an inland waterway and from Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component.
• This project will reduce distance from Kolkata to Sittwe by approximately 1328 km and will reduce the need to transport goods through the narrow Siliguri corridor.

Source:

https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/kaladan-project-india-flags-off-shipment-for-sittwe-port-in-myanmar-123050401251_1.html

Why in news? Recently, Flames rose from structures lit on fire after violence broke out between tribals and non-tribals during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM), in Imphal.

About:

• Meiteis are the largest community in Manipur and there are 34 recognized tribes broadly classified as ‘Any Kuki Tribes’ and ‘Any Naga Tribes’.
• The state’s geography is divided between a central valley that accounts for about 10% of the landmass of Manipur and is home primarily to the Meitei and Meitei Pangals who constitute roughly 64.6% of the state’s population.
  • The remaining 90% of the geographical area comprises hills, surrounding the valley, that are home to the recognised tribes, about 35.4% of the population.
• Meiteis primary language is the Meitei language, which is also called Manipuri and is the only official language of Manipur.
• They are predominantly settled in the Imphal Valley, although a significant number reside in other Indian states, such as Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
• They are currently categorised as OBCs or SCs, the Meitei people dominate in more than half the State’s Assembly constituencies.
• While a majority of the Meiteis are Hindus followed by Muslims (8%), the 33 recognised tribes, broadly classified into ‘Any Naga tribes’ and ‘Any Kuki tribes’ are largely Christians.

More Information:

• The Meitei community, led by the Scheduled Tribes Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM), has been demanding ST status since 2012, asking to provide them with constitutional safeguards to preserve their culture, language, and identity.
• The Meiteis argue that they were recognised as a tribe before the merger of Manipur with India in 1949 but lost their identity after the merger in India.
• They believe that granting ST status would help preserve their ancestral land, tradition, culture, and language, and safeguard them against outsiders.
• Opposition by ST Communities of Manipur:
  • The ST communities of Manipur have been consistently opposing the inclusion fearing the loss of job opportunities and other affirmative actions granted to STs by the Constitution of India to a much-advanced community like the Meitei.
• The march broke into violent clashes after an order from the Manipur High Court, directing the State to pursue a 10-year-old recommendation to grant ST status to the non-tribal Meitei community.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-what-is-behind-manipurs-widespread-unrest/article66814975.ece

Why in news? Recently, the All-Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) has carried out a solidarity march in order to oppose the demand of Meitei Community be included in the List of State’s Scheduled Tribes (ST).

About:

• Article 371 of the Constitution provides “special provisions” for 11 states, including six states of the Northeast (excluding Tripura and Meghalaya).
  • Articles 369-392 (including some that have been removed) appear in Part XXI of the Constitution, titled ‘Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions’.
  • Article 370 deals with ‘Temporary Provisions with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir’.
• Articles 371 and 371A-371J define special provisions with regard to another state (or states).
  • Article 371A prohibits anyone who is not a resident from buying land in Nagaland, which may only be bought by tribals who are residents of the state.
  • Article 371C (27th Amendment Act, 1971), Manipur: The President may provide for the constitution of a committee of elected members from the Hill areas in the Assembly and entrust “special responsibility” to the Governor to ensure its proper functioning.
  • Article 371I deals with Goa, but it does not include any provision that can be deemed ‘special’.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-what-is-behind-manipurs-widespread-unrest/article66814975.ece

Why in news? Recently, the All-Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) has carried out a solidarity march in order to oppose the demand of the Meitei Community to be included in the List of State’s Scheduled Tribes (ST).

About:

• The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram to safeguard the rights of the tribal population in these states.
• This special provision is provided under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution.
• The Sixth Schedule was originally intended for the predominantly tribal areas (tribal population over 90%) of undivided Assam, which was categorized as “excluded areas” under the Government of India Act, 1935, and was under the direct control of the Governor.
• The Sixth Schedule provides for autonomy in the administration of these areas through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
  • These councils are empowered to make laws in respect of areas under their jurisdiction, which cover the land, forest, cultivation, inheritance, indigenous customs and traditions of tribals,,, and also to collect land revenues and certain other taxes.
  • ADCs are like miniature states having specific powers and responsibilities in respect of all three arms of governance: Legislature, executive, and judiciary.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-what-is-behind-manipurs-widespread-unrest/article66814975.ece

Why in news? Recently, India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Israel’s Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Industrial Research and Development Cooperation.

About:

• Israel is a country located in the Middle East, bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west.
• Its capital city is Jerusalem, and its largest city is Tel Aviv.
• The principal drainage system comprises Lake Tiberias and the Jordan River.
• Climatic conditions:
  • Israel has a wide variety of climatic conditions, caused mainly by the country’s diverse topography. There are two distinct seasons: a cool, rainy winter (October–April) and a dry, hot summer (May–September).

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1921850

Why in news? Recently, The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released its 2023 Annual Report, which highlights the status of religious freedom across the globe during 2022.

About:

• The government of India rejected the recommendations of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) 2023 report, calling it biased and motivated.
• Recommendations of the Report:
  • The USCIRF recommends that 17 countries be designated as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs) for violating the right to freedom of religion or belief.
  • Additionally, five new countries, including India, are recommended to be designated as CPCs.
  • The report suggests 11 countries for being added to the State Department’s SWL, with Sri Lanka being one of them, and it is being proposed for the first time due to the worsening religious freedom conditions in 2022.
  • In addition, the report recommends redesignating seven non-state actors as “entities of particular concern” (EPCs) because of their ongoing, systematic, and extreme violations of religious freedom.
  • Moreover, seven non-state actors are recommended for redesignation as “entities of particular concern” (EPCs) for systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom
  • The report includes USCIRF’s Freedom or Religion or Belief (FoRB) Victims List, which features individuals who are particularly vulnerable to and victimized by religious freedom violations.

USCIRF:

• USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US federal government commission, dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad.
• It is an advisory body to the US Congress.

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/present-imperfect-on-the-us-commission-on-international-religious-freedoms-latest-report-and-india/article66808412.ece

Why in news? On the 70th anniversary of U.S.-South Korea bilateral relations both sides signed Washington Declaration.

About:

• Washington Declaration advocates for nuclear deterrence policy in the region, aiming to balance power dynamics against North Korea.
• The declaration specifies several measures that the two countries will take in cooperation towards deterrence, including:
• Deployment of an American nuclear ballistic submarine in the Korean peninsula
• Formation of a nuclear consultative group to formulate principles of joint response tactics.
• Strengthening of South Korea’s nuclear deterrence capabilities
• The declaration reaffirms that South Korea would not make its own nuclear capabilities and would instead focus on deterrence measures through an alliance-based approach.
• Note: It is different from the Washington Declaration (1994) that formally ended a state of war between Jordan and Israel.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/explained-what-is-the-washington-declaration/article66813713.ece