Public policies serve as the blueprint for a society’s progress, shaping its direction and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.
Introduction
Public policies play a pivotal role in shaping the socio-economic landscape of a country. In India, several significant government initiatives are geared towards improving the living conditions and infrastructure in urban areas. This article will focus on various major programs such as the Smart Cities Mission, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, MNREGA and so on. We’ll explore their objectives, key components, and recent updates to understand their impact on housing, health, drinking water, food security, and more.
Table of Contents
Smart Cities Mission
The Smart Cities Mission, launched in 2015, is a visionary initiative by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in India. It aims to redefine urban development by creating smart cities that meet the diverse needs and aspirations of their residents. The core principles of this mission revolve around comprehensive development, including institutional, physical, social, and economic infrastructure.
Key Objectives
- Provide core infrastructure for a decent quality of life.
- Ensure a clean and sustainable environment.
- Implement ‘smart’ solutions for urban development.
- Address 24 key areas to enhance the urban ecosystem.
Implementation:
The mission covers 100 cities over a five-year duration, with an extension due to the pandemic. Financing comes from various sources, including state funds, public-private partnerships (PPP), grants, municipal bonds, and government programs. Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) formed as limited companies are responsible for decision-making and implementation.
Recent Updates:
As of now, 67.22% of smart city projects, valued at Rs 98,796 crore, are complete, while 32.77%, valued at Rs 82,526 crore, are expected to be finished by June 2023.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
AMRUT, launched in 2015 alongside the Smart Cities Mission, focuses on rejuvenating urban living conditions through infrastructure improvement. The mission aims to ensure access to clean water, sewerage connections, and green spaces while reducing pollution through public transport and non-motorized options.
Key Objectives:
- Provide tap water and sewerage connections for every household.
- Develop green spaces and well-maintained open areas.
- Reduce pollution through non-motorized transport.
Coverage: AMRUT targets 500 cities and towns, including notified municipalities, capital cities, heritage cities, and more, with 80% budgetary support from the central government.
AMRUT 2.0: The second phase of AMRUT, launched in 2021, extends the mission’s coverage to around 4700 cities and towns. It aims to make cities water-secure and self-sustainable, promote data-led governance, and leverage global technologies and skills.
Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0
- All statutory towns expected to become at least ODF+ and all cities with <1 lakh population ODF++ .
- Focus on sustaining the sanitation and solid waste management outcomes achieved and accelerate the momentum generated, taking Urban India to the next level of ‘Swachhata’.
- Special focus on the well-being of sanitation and informal waste workers.
- Greater emphasis on source segregation for Sustainable Solid Waste Management.
- Remediation of all legacy dumpsites to be a key component. Complete liquid waste management in cities in < 1 lakh population
Housing for All – Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
Housing is a fundamental human need, and the Indian government has taken significant steps to address this need through various initiatives. Among them, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) stands out as a comprehensive program aimed at providing affordable housing to both rural and urban populations. Let’s delve into the PMAY schemes, their objectives, and how they are transforming the housing landscape in India.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin)
Formerly known as the Indira Awas Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) is a social welfare program launched by the Indian government. Indira Awas Yojana was first launched in 1985 by Rajiv Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, as one of the major flagship programs of the Ministry of Rural Development to construct houses for BPL population in the villages.
Its primary objective is to provide pucca housing (solid and permanent structures) with essential amenities to the rural poor in India. This scheme targets individuals without homes or those living in kutcha houses (huts) or severely damaged structures.
Recently, the Government of India extended the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin scheme, from March 2021 to March 2024 to achieve the total target of 2.95 crore rural houses. As on March 31, 2021, 155.75 lakh houses are pending for completion.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) was initiated on June 25, 2015, with the aim of providing housing for all in urban areas by 2022. This mission is a flagship program of the Indian government, implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
Key Features:
- Central Assistance is provided to implementing agencies through states, union territories, and Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) to offer houses to eligible families.
- Recently, the PMAY (Urban) was extended until December 2024 to meet the demands of states and union territories.
- The program focuses on various aspects, including slum rehabilitation, affordable housing for weaker sections, and beneficiary-led individual house construction or enhancement.
Components of PMAY (Urban):
a) In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR): This component involves the participation of private developers and aims to rehabilitate slum dwellers while using land as a resource.
b) Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS): This scheme provides interest subsidies for economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income group (LIG) individuals seeking housing loans. The subsidy is credited upfront to the loan account, reducing the effective housing loan and monthly installment.
c) Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP): This component promotes affordable housing in collaboration with public and private sectors.
d) Beneficiary-led individual house construction/enhancement (BLC): This component supports individuals in constructing or enhancing their own homes.
Key Changes:
- The PMAY (Urban) made it mandatory for the female head of the family to be the owner or co-owner of the house, promoting gender empowerment.
- Beneficiaries receive a government grant of Rs 1 lakh, with an additional Rs 1.5 lakh for eligible urban poor who wish to construct or renovate their homes. Loans are also available for building toilets.
Implementation and Monitoring:
- The mission is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), except for the Credit Linked Subsidy component, which operates as a Central Sector Scheme.
- Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) like the National Housing Bank, Housing and Urban Development Corporation, and State Bank of India play crucial roles in channelizing subsidies to lending institutions and monitoring progress.
Heath Policies
Healthcare is a fundamental aspect of a nation’s well-being, and the Indian government has launched several schemes to address the diverse healthcare needs of its citizens.
Ayushman Bharat Mission
Ayushman Bharat, launched in September 2018, is a flagship scheme of the Indian government aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and has two key components:
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): This is the world’s largest health assurance scheme, offering a health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. It targets over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, encompassing approximately 50 crore beneficiaries.
Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): These centers, created by transforming existing Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres, provide Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) closer to people’s homes. They offer services related to maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, free essential drugs, and diagnostic services.
Key Features of PM-JAY:
- Provides cashless access to health care services for beneficiaries at the point of service.
- Aims to mitigate catastrophic expenditures on medical treatment that often push families into poverty.
- Covers pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses.
- No restrictions based on family size, age, or gender.
- Covers all pre-existing conditions from day one.
- Benefits are portable across the country, allowing beneficiaries to access treatment in empaneled hospitals nationwide.
- Includes approximately 1,393 medical procedures and all associated costs, such as drugs, supplies, diagnostic services, physician fees, room charges, and more.
- Public hospitals receive reimbursement at par with private hospitals.
Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission
Launched in October 2021, this mission focuses on improving public health infrastructure in urban and rural areas. It complements the National Health Mission and aims to strengthen health infrastructure and testing networks for diagnosing diseases.
This scheme is worth Rs 5000-crore and is India’s largest scheme launched to scale-up health infrastructure. It is expected to extend support to 17,788 rural Health & Wellness Centres across 10 high focus states. Second aspect of the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission is related to “testing network for diagnosis of diseases”. Necessary infrastructure will be developed under the mission for the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases.
National Health Policy 2017
The National Health Policy 2017 is a comprehensive framework that guides the government’s approach to healthcare. Its key principles include professionalism, integrity, equity, affordability, universality, patient-centered care, accountability, inclusive partnerships, pluralism, decentralization, dynamism, and adaptiveness.
Key Objectives of the National Health Policy:
- Achieving universal access to high-quality healthcare services.
- Gradually increasing public health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP.
- Providing free drugs, diagnostics, and essential healthcare services in public hospitals.
- Advocating two-thirds of resources for primary care.
- Reducing morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases.
- Promoting AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) for prevention and therapy.
- Reforming medical education.
National Health Mission
The National Health Mission, launched in 2013, amalgamates the National Rural Health Mission and National Urban Health Mission. It aims to ensure universal access to equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare services, with a particular focus on maternal and child health and communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Key Programs and Initiatives under NHM:
- Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to bridge the gap between communities and the health system.
- Rogi Kalyan Samiti (Patient Welfare Committee) and Hospital Management Society.
- Untied Grants to Sub-Centres.
- Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) to promote institutional delivery and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
Ensuring Food Security in India: Key Initiatives and Schemes
Access to adequate and nutritious food is a fundamental right for every citizen. The Indian government has taken significant steps to ensure food security for its population.
National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013
The National Food Security Act, enacted on July 5, 2013, represents a paradigm shift in addressing food security by adopting a rights-based approach. Key features and objectives of the NFSA include:
Legal Entitlements: The Act legally entitled up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The NFSA aligns with the aim to end hunger by 2030 and supports the broader goals set by the United Nations General Assembly.
Conversion of Facilities to Legal Entitlements: The Act converts existing food security programs, including the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, and Public Distribution Scheme, into legal entitlements for beneficiaries.
Nutritional Support: Pregnant and lactating women receive free nutritious meals under the Mid-Day Meal and Integrated Child Development Services Schemes.
Maternity Benefits: Maternity benefits, including an allowance of not less than Rs. 6,000, are provided to pregnant and lactating women.
Empowerment of Women: The Act empowers women by recognizing the eldest woman in the household (18 years and above) for issuing ration cards.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism: The Act establishes a grievance redressal mechanism at the district and state levels, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Food Security Allowance: Provision is made for a food security allowance to beneficiaries in the event of non-supply of food grains, which is provided through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Penalties: The Act allows for penalties to be imposed on public servants or authorities who fail to comply with relief recommendations.
Beneficiaries of the Act are divided into two categories:
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which consist of the poorest of the poor.
- Priority Households (PHH), who are entitled to 5 kg of food grains per person per month.
One Nation One Card Scheme (ONORC)
Launched in August 2019, the ONORC scheme enables migrant workers and their families to access subsidized ration from any fair price shop across the country. The system is based on technology that uses ration card details, Aadhaar numbers, and electronic Points of Sale (ePoS) devices.
Key Features of ONORC:
- Beneficiaries are identified through biometric authentication at fair price shops.
- The system operates through the Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS) and Annavitran portals.
- ONORC has been rolled out nationally, making food security portable across India.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
Launched in 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, this scheme provided an additional 5 kg of free food grains (rice or wheat) to all individuals covered under the National Food Security Act, in addition to the subsidized 5 kg of food grains already provided through the Public Distribution System.
In January 2023, the Cabinet decided to merge the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana with the National Food Security Act until December 2023, ensuring continued food security for the most vulnerable populations.
The Right to Education Act in India: Ensuring Compulsory and Free Education
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, commonly known as the Right to Education (RTE) Act, was enacted in 2009 in India. This act, which came into effect on April 1, 2010, has been instrumental in providing a legal framework to ensure free and compulsory education for all children between the ages of 6 to 14 years.
Key Features of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009:
Fundamental Right to Education: The RTE Act enforces education as a fundamental right, as mandated under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution.
Reservation in Private Schools: One of the significant provisions of the act is the mandate for private schools to reserve 25% of their seats for children from disadvantaged sections of society, which include Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), socially backward classes, and differently-abled students.
Admission of Non-Admitted Children: The act requires the admission of any non-enrolled child to an age-appropriate class.
Shared Responsibilities: The RTE Act outlines the sharing of financial and other responsibilities between the Central and State Governments to ensure effective implementation.
Norms and Standards: The act establishes norms and standards related to factors such as pupil-teacher ratios (30:1 for primary and 35:1 for upper primary levels), school infrastructure, minimum school-working days, and teacher-working hours.
Removal of No-Detention Policy: The RTE Act, as amended in 2019, removed the “No Detention Policy,” allowing states to decide whether to continue this policy. The amendment introduced regular examinations in classes V and VIII, providing opportunities for students who fail to reappear for exams.
Prohibition of Harmful Practices: The act prohibits physical punishment, mental harassment, screening procedures for admission, capitation fees, private tuition by teachers, and running of schools without recognition.
Child-Centered Learning: The act focuses on creating a child-friendly and child-centered learning environment, free of fear, trauma, and anxiety.
Impact of the RTE Act:
The Right to Education Act has had several significant impacts since its enactment:
Increased Enrolment: Nationwide, there has been a 19.4 percent increase in the number of students in the upper primary level between 2009 and 2016.
Improved School Infrastructure: Stricter infrastructure norms have led to improved school facilities, especially in rural areas.
Inclusive Education: More than 3.3 million students have gained admission under the 25% quota norm, making education more inclusive.
Challenges and Drawbacks:
While the RTE Act has made important strides in improving access to education, it still faces some challenges and drawbacks:
State-Wise Discrepancies: National figures mask the massive state-wise disparities in education infrastructure and quality.
Quality of Learning: The focus of the act has been on access, but there has been a lack of emphasis on the quality of learning, as evidenced by various Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) findings.
Teacher Shortage: The shortage of qualified teachers has affected the mandated pupil-teacher ratio, ultimately affecting the quality of teaching.
The Right to Education Act is a pivotal piece of legislation that seeks to provide every child in India with free and compulsory education. It has improved enrolment rates, access to education, and school infrastructure. However, the challenges related to quality of learning, teacher shortages, and state-wise discrepancies need to be addressed to fully realize the act’s potential in ensuring equitable and quality education for all children.
MGNREGA: Empowering Rural India Through Guaranteed Employment
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is one of the world’s largest work guarantee programs aimed at providing employment and livelihood security to rural households. Enacted in 2005 and implemented in 2006, this act was designed to alleviate poverty and enhance the livelihoods of rural communities.
Key Features of MGNREGA:
Legal Right to Work: MGNREGA is built on a rights-based framework, guaranteeing 100 days of employment in a financial year to willing adult members of rural households. This legal entitlement serves as a crucial tool in addressing chronic poverty.
Gender Inclusivity: The act promotes gender equality by mandating that at least one-third of beneficiaries must be women. This inclusion empowers women to actively participate in the rural workforce.
Minimum Wage Compliance: Wages are required to be paid at rates not less than the statutory minimum wages specified for agricultural laborers in the respective state under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
Demand-Driven Scheme: One of the pivotal aspects of MGNREGA is its demand-driven nature. It legally obliged authorities to provide employment within 15 days of the request, failing which an “unemployment allowance” must be granted.
Decentralized Planning: MGNREGA emphasizes decentralization by involving Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in planning and implementing these works. Gram sabhas are mandated to recommend the works, with at least 50% of the projects executed by them.
Self-Selecting and People-Centered: MGNREGA operates as a self-selecting, bottom-up, and people-centered program. This approach empowers rural communities and ensures that they play an active role in shaping their own development.
Impact of MGNREGA:
MGNREGA has had a significant impact on rural India since its inception:
Livelihood Security: By providing 100 days of employment, MGNREGA has offered livelihood security to millions of rural households, reducing poverty and vulnerability.
Gender Empowerment: The act has played a vital role in empowering women by ensuring their active participation in the workforce.
Infrastructural Development: Through various public works, MGNREGA has contributed to the development of rural infrastructure, including roads, water conservation projects, and more.
Mitigating Distress Migration: The act has helped in preventing distress migration by providing employment opportunities in rural areas.
Challenges and the Way Forward:
While MGNREGA has been instrumental in rural development, it faces some challenges:
Implementation Bottlenecks: Delays in wage payments, administrative hurdles, and corruption can hinder the smooth implementation of the program.
Limited Scope: The act currently guarantees only 100 days of employment, which may not be sufficient for households in need of year-round employment.
Fabrication of Job cards: There are several issues related to the existence of fake job cards, the inclusion of fictitious names, missing entries and delays in making entries in job cards.
Need for Skill Development: Focusing on skill development and enhancing the quality of assets created under MGNREGA can lead to more sustainable rural development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, public policies play a pivotal role in shaping the societal, economic, and environmental landscape of a nation. They serve as the instruments through which governments address various challenges and pursue their objectives. Effective policies can enhance the well-being of citizens, promote social justice, and stimulate economic growth. However, the success of public policies depends on their formulation, implementation, and evaluation. Policymakers must strike a balance between competing interests, adapt to changing circumstances, and engage with diverse stakeholders to achieve the desired outcomes. The evolution and effectiveness of public policies will continue to be a critical aspect of governance in our ever-changing world.
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