Content:

1 .Cash transfer schemes for women as new poll plank

2. A cut in time

Cash transfer schemes for women as new poll plank

Context : Direct cash transfer schemes are gaining traction in India, especially targeting women.

Relevance: GS 2 ( Governance)

Practice Question: Evaluate reasons behind the growing popularity of direct cash transfer schemes specially targeting women in India. Highlight concerns associated ?(250 Words)

• Ex 1 : Maharashtra’s Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (monthly transfer of ₹1,500 )

• Ex 2:Jharkhand’s Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana transfer of ₹1,000 per month.

Reasons for the rising Popularity :

Growing prominence of women voters

• Women’s electoral participation increased from 47% in 1962 to 66% in 2024.

• Women increasingly voting independently, creating a distinct “women constituency.”

• The  passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill and emphasis on “Nari Shakti” highlight the rising political clout of women voters.

• Parties aim to secure this crucial swing vote in tightly contested elections.

Efficiency of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

• Reduced leakage:DBT Bypasses middlemen.

• Direct relationships between political leaders and citizens, established by technology.

• This “techno-patrimonial” approach strengthens perceptions of government benevolence.

Immediate Political Gains

• Cash transfers are quicker to implement and yield immediate results compared to long-term welfare projects like healthcare or education reforms.

• Regular payments remind beneficiaries of the ruling party’s generosity, reinforcing its electoral appeal.

• Populist schemes resonate with the poor, who constitute a significant voter base.

Homogenization of Welfare Policies

• Across party lines, states are adopting similar schemes, reflecting a lack of innovation in welfare policy.

• Easy Winning Formula : Opposition parties also replicate cash transfer policies as winning strategies, highlighting limited vision for alternative welfare models.

  Concern:

• These schemes do not address structural issues like poverty and unemployment.

Encouraging Privatization

• By relying on DBT, the state nudges citizens toward private alternatives for healthcare, education, and other basic needs.

• This shift reduces pressure on the state to improve public infrastructure and services.

 State Capacity Deficit

• The focus on “efficiency” through technology sidesteps the challenge of enhancing state capacity to deliver quality public goods.

• The poor, unlike the rich, cannot afford to disengage from public services.

A Cut In Time

Context:

• A 2022 initiated UN resolution called The Global Plastic Treaty aims to end plastic pollution.

•  Five rounds of discussions including the Busan meeting have failed to agree on a framework.

Relevance: GS 3( Environment)

Practice Question: Explain how to resolve the deadlock of Global Plastic Treaty between the countries. Suggest a possible framework for other pollutions as well.(250 Words )

 Deadlock :Nations are split between advocating for plastic production cuts and emphasizing recycling.

1. Producers of Virgin Polymer (Developing Countries & Oil Economies):

• View production cuts as trade barriers.

• Promote recycling as a solution instead.

2. Environmental Advocates (EU, Pacific Island Nations, etc.):

• Cite plastic’s health and ecological hazards.

• Support gradual production cuts to reduce pollution.

3. India’s Position:

• Opposes production cuts due to economic dependency on plastic.

• Recycling capacity is limited to one-third of annual plastic waste.

Analysis of Impacts:

• Health Costs: Microplastics harm ecosystems, enter food chains, and affect human health.

• Environmental Costs: Cause marine pollution, biodiversity loss, and strain on waste systems.

• Economic Costs: Reliance on plastic in manufacturing and packaging industries.

• High costs of transitioning to alternatives.

Way Forward:

• Global Consensus: Blend production cuts with improved recycling and financial support for developing nations.

• India’s Role: Boost recycling infrastructure and plan a phased reduction in plastic usage.

• Focus on health and ecological research to guide policies.

• Collaborative Solutions: Invest in biodegradable alternatives.

• Establish international funding to support economic transitions.