Analysis of The Hindu Editorial – September 6, 2024

Analysis of The Hindu Editorial 1: The Food Security Act has revamped the PDS

Context

The Public Distribution System (PDS) has been substantially redesigned by the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013, which addressed long-standing inefficiencies like leakages. The early implementation of these measures, which were tested in a few states, has increased the distribution of food to those who are economically disadvantaged.

Introduction

In 2013, the NFSA was implemented to provide food security via the PDS, even though its dismal performance in the past raised questions. Data from the National Sample Survey (NSS) in 2011–12 showed significant PDS leakages, with beneficiaries not receiving 41.7% of the food grains that were intended for them. The circumstance raised questions about whether the PDS could guarantee national food security.

Data and Methodology

• Definition of Leakages: PDS leakages are the percentage of food grains, mostly wheat and rice, that do not make it to the intended recipients. The measurement of these leakages involves contrasting official offtake statistics from the Ministry of Food’s Monthly Food Grain Bulletin with household PDS purchases (derived from NSS data).
• Leakage Reduction: PDS ration card users received their entitlements under the NFSA from August 2022 to July 2023. Priority households received five kilograms per capita each month, whereas Antyodaya households received 35 kg. During the COVID-19 epidemic, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) provided aid and was in effect until December 2022. Based on a comparison of household consumption statistics and these offtakes, it is projected that the PDS leakage rate fell to 22% in 2022–2023.

The Underestimation Problem

• Expanded PDS: By employing both central and state contributions, some states reduced exclusion errors and increased PDS coverage beyond NFSA. In 2012, for example, Chhattisgarh approved its own Food Security Act, which resulted in local procurement activities leading to quasi-universal coverage. The national leakage estimates (17.6%–18.2%) may therefore be underestimated because state-level contributions are not completely taken into account.
• State Contributions: There are about 14 crore non-NFSA recipients, of which about 6 crore receive all of their support from the state. Including state-level contributions causes the overall leakage rate in India to increase to 22%.

Impact of NFSA on PDS Coverage

• Pre-NFSA: Prior to the NFSA’s deployment in 2011–12, fewer than 50% of families had ration cards, and only roughly 40% used PDS benefits. Compared to 2004–05, when only 24% of households used the PDS, this was a significant improvement.

• Post-NFSA Reforms: During the reform era, PDS coverage significantly improved in states like Chhattisgarh and Odisha. For example, the proportion of households in Chhattisgarh that used the PDS rose from 21% in 2004–05 to 63% in 2011–12. 70% of households were buying grains through the PDS by 2022–2023, according to HCES data, mostly as a result of the NFSA’s implementation.

Challenges in NFSA Implementation

• Deficit in Coverage: The NFSA mandates, which call for 66% of the population—50% of rural and 75% of urban populations—to be served, are still not met by the central government’s PDS coverage, despite notable advancements. Merely 59% of the populace utilizes PDS as NFSA recipients, according to administrative data. HCES reports that whereas 70% of households use the PDS, only 57%–61 percent have NFSA ration cards. Non-NFSA beneficiaries make up the remaining 10%.

PDS Reforms in High-Leakage States

• Early Reforming States: Odisha and Chhattisgarh were among the first states to implement reforms, such as lowering prices, delivering food grains to people’s doorsteps, digitizing records, and deprivatizing PDS outlets and giving self-help organizations and panchayats control over them. By reducing leaks, these changes served as a model for other states to imitate.
• Post-Reform Leakages: Leaks in early reforming states have significantly decreased by 2011–12. Since then, many states with high leakage have done the same. HCES data for 2022–2023 reveals that the states of Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh—which were previously known for their PDS inefficiencies—have leakage rates of 9%, 21%, and 23%, respectively.

The Role of Aadhaar in Reducing Leakages

• ABBA and Adhaar: Many people credit the incorporation of Aadhaar-based biometric authentication (ABBA) for the PDS reforms’ success. Primary surveys carried out in Jharkhand in 2017 indicate, however, that the benefit of Aadhaar in lowering leakages may have been exaggerated. According to studies conducted by scientists including Muralidharan, Niehaus, Sukhtankar, and others, leakages were already under 20% prior to the introduction of ABBA. Additionally, polls revealed that the purchase-entitlement rates in offline villages and those using ABBA were almost identical, ranging from 93% to 94%.

Conclusion

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), the PDS has emerged as a crucial tool for guaranteeing food security. It was especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the PDS is still open to ongoing “innovations” that can upset its functioning, such tests of cash transfers or the application of technologies like Aadhaar-based authentication. The government’s resources should be allocated to more pressing problems, including finishing the delayed Census, which has an impact on the inclusion of nearly 100 million individuals in PDS programs, rather than being shifted to such measures. For future progress, it is still necessary to broaden PDS to include more nutrient-dense foods like edible oil and legumes.

Analysis of The Hindu Editorial 2: Africa can make India’s ‘critical mineral mission’ shine

Context

New Delhi is forming new foreign alliances, especially with Africa, in response to the country’s increasing need for vital minerals, which are necessary for developing technology, producing sustainable energy, and making batteries. Working with Africa is essential to India’s Critical Mineral Mission because the continent contains 30% of the world’s critical mineral reserves.

Introduction

The Union Budget 2024–25 announced the commencement of the Critical Mineral Mission by the Indian government. The objectives of this mission are to increase local production, give priority to recycling minerals, and promote the purchase of vital mineral assets abroad. The’mission mode’ approach to accomplishing these goals has been ensured by the Ministry of Mines through seminars and consultations.

Key Developments in India’s Critical Mineral Sector

• Legislative Changes: Six minerals are removed off the atomic list by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, making room for private sector exploration. This is a significant change in India’s strategy for extracting minerals.
• International Ventures: In 2024, the joint venture Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), established in 2019, signed a significant contract to mine lithium in Argentina. But India’s exploration, processing, and production capacities are still lacking, particularly in high-demand industries like battery manufacturing.

Africa’s Role in India’s Supply Chain

With its abundance of mineral resources, Africa offers India a strategic advantage. The significant Indian diaspora and diplomatic ties have strengthened New Delhi’s historical and economic ties to Africa. India’s strategic objectives are in line with Africa’s mineral richness, which includes minerals essential to sustainable energy technology.

• Trade and Investment: In 2022–2023 India’s trade with Africa amounted to $98 billion, of which $43 billion was related to mining commodities. The $75 billion in investments made by Indians in Africa have primarily gone toward the purchase of energy-related assets.
• Collaborative Energy Projects: The International Solar Alliance’s collaboration is further cemented when India pledges $2 billion for solar projects in Africa. Supply networks must be strengthened, particularly since several African nations—Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and others—are attempting to diversify their economies and add value to their basic mineral resources.

Challenges: China’s Dominance

China’s supremacy in the mineral value chain, particularly in cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, poses a serious threat to India’s quest for vital minerals. Due to China’s monopoly on African resources, India faces challenges to its economy and security, which emphasizes the necessity for India to look for other alliances and diversify its supply chains.

Opportunities for Collaboration

India may be a desirable partner for Africa in the vital mineral sector due to a number of its advantages:

• Infrastructure Development: 43 African nations have infrastructure created by Indian construction companies. Using this knowledge, mining-related infrastructure can be constructed, which is essential for the processing and export of minerals.
• Technological Innovation: With an emphasis on ecological sustainability and efficiency, Indian technological start-ups are bringing innovation to the mining industry. These start-ups provide services that are in line with Africa’s objectives for mineral-based industrialization, such as ore beneficiation, extraction technology, and mineral reconnaissance.
• Capacity Building: To improve collaboration in geological mapping, mineral modeling, and training, Zambia and Zimbabwe have inked agreements with India. Initiatives such as the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, which in ten years has trained forty thousand Africans, provide a starting point for the development of an essential mining workforce in Africa.

Conclusion

The economy of both regions can be completely transformed if Africa’s aspirations for industrialization and value addition are in line with India’s Critical Mineral Mission. India can secure vital mineral resources and support Africa’s development drive by utilizing its technological prowess, infrastructure know-how, and diplomatic connections. Ethical and responsible mineral practices are essential as global geopolitics move toward greener energy alternatives. To successfully navigate this complicated landscape, India’s mission should place a high priority on cooperation, sustainability, and mutual benefit. The African Minerals Development Center’s director, Marit Kitaw, has said, “The only way to transform lives is to add value.” In order to ensure a responsible transition to a green energy future, India’s policy must center on forging relationships with Africa that offer value addition.

“The only way to transform lives is to add value,” said Marit Kitaw, director of the African Minerals Development Center. India’s approach must therefore concentrate on creating value-added alliances with Africa while making sure that the continent makes a sensible transition to green energy in the future.

Analysis of The Hindu Editorial 3: Maoist Setback – Security Forces Deliver Major Blows to the Maoists, but Must Avoid Repression

Context

Due to increased counter-insurgency operations, the Maoist insurgency in India, a long-standing left-wing extremist movement, has seen major setbacks in 2024. Maoist cadres have been successfully targeted by security forces, but worries about possible crackdown and its effects on tribal populations have surfaced.

Introduction

159 Maoist fighters have lost their lives as a result of heavy blows delivered by Indian security forces to the militants in 2024. The efficiency of counterinsurgency operations has significantly increased this year, and police and paramilitary forces’ coordination has improved. The Maoists’ presence in other wooded areas of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and Maharashtra has also been impacted by these operations, while their stronghold in south Chhattisgarh has been most damaged.

Impact of Counter-Insurgency Operations

• Operational Success: Numerous Maoist cadres have been eliminated, and there have been more arrests and surrenders as a result of the Chhattisgarh government’s “Operation Prahar.” It is said that the Maoists’ operational capacity has been undermined and their influence in critical areas has decreased as a result of this uncompromising strategy.
• Tribal Impact: The violence has disproportionately affected the most marginalized groups in the region, as evidenced by the fact that tribal youth make up the majority of those who have died among Maoist cadres. The struggles that tribal groups in one of India’s poorest states are facing have been made worse by the insurgency and counter-insurgency operations.

Repression vs. Security

• Civil Society Concerns: Operation Prahar’s assertive approach has drawn criticism for coinciding with measures taken against peaceful protestors and tribal rights advocates. Civil society groups contend that these efforts, which are seen as oppressive, run the risk of further dividing the community and unintentionally encouraging Maoist recruitment by stoking dissatisfaction with the government. –
• Governance Issues: Perceived or actual shortcomings in development and governance in tribal areas contribute to the survival of Maoist extremism. The longevity of the Maoist movement emphasizes the continuous need for just and efficient administration to address the fundamental problems that motivate the insurgency.

Maoist Resilience and Ideological Anachronism

• Historical Context: The Maoist movement in India has endured for more than fifty years, demonstrating its tenacity in the face of multiple counterinsurgency initiatives. The movement’s Marxist-Leninist philosophical foundations have had difficulty adjusting to the democratic and socioeconomic realities of the modern day.
• Current Relevance: Although Maoist doctrines have not been able to fully realize their revolutionary objectives, some sections of underprivileged populations still find them appealing. The movement’s inability to provide the people it purports to serve with real advantages, however, points to a discrepancy between its revolutionary goals and the real needs of these areas.

Way Forward: Balancing Security and Civil Rights

• Avoiding Repression: Counter-insurgency efforts must not inflame pre-existing grievances or target innocent activists in order to be successful and long-lasting. The Union Home Ministries and the Chhattisgarh government need to make sure that their operations protect civil liberties and that their plans are in line with larger initiatives for development and peace.
• Addressing Root Causes: Resolving the socioeconomic and governance issues that contribute to unrest is essential to the long-term viability of the fight against Maoist radicalism. Reducing the attractiveness of extreme movements requires interacting with indigenous populations, enhancing local governance, and guaranteeing inclusive development.

Conclusion

There is an urgent need to strike a balance between security measures and respect for civil rights and development demands, even though the recent setbacks inflicted on Maoist militants mark a substantial operational victory for Indian security forces. The longevity of the Maoist movement draws attention to persistent problems with development and administration, calling for a sophisticated strategy that deals with the underlying roots of extremism. To stop the cycle of violence and disillusionment, effective counter-insurgency operations must be supplemented with initiatives to interact with and empower vulnerable populations.