Daily News Simplified - DNS

26 06 19
Notes
SL. THE HINDU
TOPICS
NO. PAGE NO.

1 State of Health- Composite Health Index 01/09

2 Food and Nutritional Security Analysis 09

3 Sinha Panel on MSMEs 13

4 The State of Indian Prisons 10

5 Impressed Tortoise 09
Dated: 26.June.2019 DNS Notes

Title 1. State of Health- Composite Health Index (The Hindu, Page – 01/09)
Syllabus Mains: GS Paper II : Issues related to Health
Theme Composite Health Index
Context:
The NITI Aayog has released the Second Edition of “Healthy States, Progressive India” . The report ranks
states and Union territories innovatively on their year-on-year incremental change in health outcomes, as well
as, their overall performance.

Important details
 The Health Index is a weighted composite Index based on 23 indicators grouped into the domains of
Health Outcomes, Governance and Information, and Key Inputs/Processes. . Each domain has been
assigned weights based on its importance and has been equally distributed among indicators.
 Among the Larger States, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh & Maharashtra ranked on top in terms of overall
performance, while Haryana, Rajasthan and Jharkhand are the top three ranking States in terms of
annual incremental performance.
 Among Smaller States, Mizoram ranked first followed by Manipur on overall performance, while
Tripura followed by Manipur were the top ranked States in terms of annual incremental performance.
 Among UTs, Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli were ranked on top in terms of overall
performance (Chandigarh-1 and Dadra and Nagar Haveli-2) as well as annual incremental
performance (Dadra and Nagar Haveli-1 and Chandigarh-2).

Personal
Notes
Dated: 26.June.2019 DNS Notes

Title 2. Food and Nutritional Security Analysis – (The Hindu, Page-09)

Area of Mains: GS Paper 2 under Issues related to Health
interest
Theme Food and Nutritional Security
Highlights Context
The Food and Security Analysis report 2019 is published by World Food programme in association with
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Important Highlights of the Report

Food Production: Over the last 20 years, total food grain production in India increased from 198 million
tonnes to 269 million tonnes. Although there has been a huge increase in production of rice, wheat and other
cereals, their per capita net availability has not increased at the same level, due to population growth, food
wastage and losses, and exports.
Food Expenditure: According to Engel's law, the share of income spent on food decreases, even as total food
expenditure rises. A higher share of total monthly expenditure for food shows lower purchasing power and is
related to food access, so it is a relative measure of food insecurity. Between 1972- 73 and 2011-12, the share
of expenditure on food has decreased around 33 percent in rural areas and 40 percent in urban areas whereas
non-food expenditure and consequently, nonfood expenditures have increased during the same period.
Nutritional Intake: For protein intake, despite the declining trends, per capita consumption in both rural and
urban areas is higher than the minimum daily requirement. However fat intake has increased steadily since
1983 and is much higher than the minimum daily requirement.

Trends in Malnutrition
 The prevalence of malnutrition in children 6-59 months in India has declined between 2005-06 to
2015-16 with chronic malnutrition, or stunting, decreasing from 48.0 percent in 2005-06 to 38.4
percent in 2015-16 and underweight decreasing from 42.5 percent in 2005-06 to 35.7 percent in 2015-
16.
 The prevalence of acute malnutrition, or wasting, has marginally increased during the same period,
from 19.8 percent to 21.0 percent.
 The prevalence of anaemia in young children has also decreased from 69.5 percent in 2005-06 to 58.5
percent in 2015-16.
 The Government of India has envisaged a challenging target for itself through National Nutrition
Mission (NNM)with the target to reduce stunting by at least 2 percent per annum to reach 25 percent
by 2022.
 Inter and Intra State Variations in Malnutrition: The prevalence of stunting in children under five is
the highest in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya and lowest in Kerala and Goa.
 Micronutrient Malnutrition: Vitamin A, iron and iodine deficiency disorders are the most common
forms of micronutrient malnutrition in the world.
 Socio-Economic Determinants of Malnutrition among Children: Just over half the children born to
mothers with no schooling are stunted, compared with 24 percent of children born to mothers with 12
or more years of schooling. The prevalence of underweight in children with uneducated mothers is 47
percent compared to 22 percent for those whose mothers have some education

Recommendations
Agricultural Diversification: Farmers should be encouraged and incentivized to increase production of
micronutrient-rich grains such as millets, as well as other nutritious foods such as soyabeans, vegetables and
fruits.
Sustainability of Food Productivity: Additionally, use of innovative and low-cost farming technologies,
increase in the irrigation coverage and enhancing knowledge of farmers in areas such as appropriate use of land
and water have high potential to improve the sustainability of food productivity
Policy Support: There is a need for promotion of farming, marketing and demand generation of traditional
coarse cereals like maize, which are produced in abundance and are good source of energy.
Improvement in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Practices: Achieving India SDG target (NITI Aayog, 2018)
for WASH by 2030 looks promising, with targeted efforts by the Government of India through various
programmes such as the Poshan Abhiyan and Swachh Bharat Mission.

About World Food Programme

 The World Food Programme (WFP) is the food assistance branch of the United Nations and the
world’s largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security. The WFP
strives to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, with the ultimate goal in mind of eliminating the need for
food aid itself. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group and part of its Executive
Dated: 26.June.2019 DNS Notes

Committee.
 WFP pursues a vision of the world in which every man, woman and child has access at all times to the
food needed for an active and healthy life. The WFP is governed by an Executive Board which
consists of representatives from member states.
 The WFP operations are funded by voluntary donations from world governments, corporations and
private donors. WFP food aid is also directed to fight micronutrient deficiencies, reduce child
mortality, improve maternal health, and combat disease, including HIV and AIDS.

The objectives of the World Food Programme are:

 Save lives and protect livelihoods in emergencies.
 Support food security and nutrition and (re)build livelihoods in fragile settings and following
emergencies.
 Reduce risk and enable people, communities and countries to meet their own food and nutrition needs.
 Reduce under-nutrition and break the inter-generational cycle of hunger.
 Zero Hunger in 2030.
Dated: 26.June.2019 DNS Notes

Personal
Notes
Dated: 26.June.2019 DNS Notes

Title 3. Sinha Panel on MSMEs (The Hindu, Page-13)

Syllabus Mains: GS Paper 3: Indian Economy
Theme MSME Sector
Highlights Context:
The MSME sector contributes about 45% to manufacturing output, more than 40% of exports, over 28% of the
GDP while creating employment for about 111 million people, which in terms of volume stands next to
agricultural sector. However, the MSME sector is facing a number of challenges which in turn is hindering this
sector from achieving full potential. Hence, the RBI had appointed a committee under the leadership of U.K.
Sinha to address these problems of the MSME sector.

Important Recommendations of the Committee:

Amendments to the MSMED Act, 2006: It is important that the thrust of this important legislation should be
focused more on market facilitation and promoting ease of doing business for MSMEs. Accordingly, the
legislation may be reimagined as a comprehensive and holistic MSME Code having a provision for sunset on
plethora of complex laws scattered all over the legislative framework. The new law will be able to address the
major challenges, relating to physical infrastructural bottlenecks, absence of formalisation, technology
adoption, capacity building, backward and forward linkages, lack of access to credit, risk capital, perennial
problem of delayed payments, etc.

Definition of MSMEs: MSMEs are presently defined based on investment in plant and machinery / equipment.
To facilitate ease of doing business, the Government has proposed turnover based definition by replacing the
current investment-based definition of MSMEs.
Classification of the MSME New Classification (annual turnover) Previous classification – Ceiling on
Investment in Plant and Machinery (in
Rs)

Micro Not exceeding Rs 5 crores Below 25 lakhs

Small Between Rs 5 crores to Rs 75 crores 25 lakhs to 5 crores

Medium Rs 75 to Rs 250 crores 5 crores to 10 crores

The Committee found the revised definition of MSMEs rational, transparent, progressive and easier to
implement with the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Further, in order to have flexibility in the
definition of MSMEs, the committee has proposed that the Parliament may consider delegating the power of
classifying MSMEs to the Executive.

Addressing delays in Payments to MSMEs: The Committee has recommended amendment to the MSMED
Act requiring all MSMEs to mandatorily upload all their invoices above an amount to be specified by
Government to an Information Utility. Further, a monitoring authority should be set up under the office of
Development Commissioner MSME. While this mechanism will entail automatic display of the names of the
defaulting buyers, it will also act as a moral suasion on the buyers to release payment to MSE
suppliers. Further, majority of the States have only one MSE Facilitation Council (MSEFC) which is not
adequate to cater to delayed payment cases arising in the entire State. Hence, there is a need to increase the
number of Facilitation Councils particularly in larger States.

Expanding the Scope of GeM Portal: As per the MSMED Act, Government has notified procurement policy
wherein PSUs/ Government Departments have to make 25% of their procurement from MSEs. To further
strengthen the procurement mechanism, the Government has also launched the GeM portal. The Committee
recommends that Government should make it mandatory for PSUs/ Government Department to procure from
MSEs up to the mandated target of 25% through the GeM portal only. Further, the portal can be developed as a
full-fledged market place enabling MSE sellers to procure raw-material as well.

Improving Ease of Doing Business:

Presently, MSMEs must do multiple registrations with various entities such as Udyog Aadhaar portal, GSTN,
National State Insurance Corporation (NSIC) etc. This leads to cumbersome registration process and
duplication of efforts. It is, therefore, recommended that the Government should make PAN as a Unique
Dated: 26.June.2019 DNS Notes

Enterprise Identifier (UEI) and the same should be used for various purposes like procurement, availing
government sponsored benefits, etc.
Further, enabling environment, tax concessions, well developed infrastructure, ease of doing business, exit
policy, etc. available in other countries is incentivising the Indian startups to migrate. It is recommended that
suitable financial and non-financial incentives must be deployed to retain successful Indian startups entities in
India.

Capacity Building: The Government's proposal to establish Enterprise Development Centres (EDCs) within
District Industries Centres (DICs) has to be expedited. The setting up of EDCs would provide necessary
handholding support to the entrepreneurs in various aspects such as technical know-how, managerial skill,
filling up of the knowledge gap, etc. leading to a multiplier effect.

Focussing on MSME Clusters: The MSME clusters should collaborate with companies having innovation
infrastructure, R&D institutions and universities that specialize in a specific industry or knowledge area. Most
cluster development initiatives are funded to a large extent by the public agencies and private sector
contribution for such common initiatives is miniscule. It is recommended that ways and means to enhance
private sector contribution must be found.

Institutional Framework: In order to have convergence of various MSME related policies, a National
Council for MSMEs should be set up at the apex level under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister . The
States should have a similar State Council for MSMEs, for better co-ordination of developmental initiatives.
Further, Ministry of MSME may consider setting up of a Non-Profit Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to support
crowd sourcing of investments by various agencies particularly to pave the way for conducive business
ecosystem for MSMEs.

Distressed Asset Fund: The Committee recommends for the creation of a Distressed Asset Fund, with a
corpus of ₹ 5000 crore, structured to assist units in clusters where a change in the external environment, e.g. a
ban on plastics or ‘dumping’ has led to a large number of MSMEs becoming NPA. This would be of significant
size in order to make equity investments that help unlock debt or help revive sick units.

Access to Finance:
The PSBLoansIn59Minutes portal as of now caters only to existing entrepreneurs having information required
for in-principle approval such as GSTIN, Income Tax returns, bank statement, etc. The Committee
recommends that the portal should also cater to new entrepreneurs, who may not necessarily have such
information, including those applying under PMMY loan and Standup India.
The Priority sector lending guidelines apply uniformly to all the lenders and mandates specific targets to banks
to lend to priority sectors, i.e. agriculture, small and marginal farmers, micro enterprises, weaker sections, etc.
At present, the overall target for the universal bank is 40% and target for small finance bank is 75%.
The committee has recommended that for banks that wish to specialize in MSME lending, the requirements to
do agricultural lending under PSL can be waived provided they achieve 50% SME-PSL lending target in the
case of Universal Banks and 80% in the case of Small Finance Banks.
The RBI should increase the limit for non-collateralised loans to Rs 20 Lakh from the present limit of Rs 10
Lakh. This limit of Rs 20 lakh should also be applicable to the loans provided under the MUDRA scheme.

Loan Service Providers: The committee has suggested that the RBI should create a new category of Loan
Service Providers (LSPs). The LSPs would act as agents of the borrowers (MSMEs) and offer individualised
advice to them catering to all the aspects of finance. The RBI should facilitate the creation of a Self-Regulatory
Organization to organize and provide light touch regulation for Loan Service Providers.
Dated: 26.June.2019 DNS Notes

Personal
Notes
Dated: 26.June.2019 DNS Notes

Title 4. The State of Indian Prisons (The Hindu, Page-10)

Syllabus GS Paper II: Polity & Governance
Theme Prison Reforms
Highlights Prison Statistics India 2016, published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) states:
Undertrials
There were 4,33,033 people in prison; of them 68% were undertrials, or people who have yet to be found guilty
of the crimes they are accused of. India’s under-trial population remains among the highest in the world and
more than half of all undertrials were detained for less than six months in 2016. This suggests that the high
proportion of undertrials in the overall prison population may be the result of unnecessary arrests and
ineffective legal aid during remand hearings.

Rise in preventive detention

There is rise in the number of people held under administrative (or ‘prevention’) detention laws in Jammu and
Kashmir (a 300% increase), with 431 detainees in 2016, compared to 90 in 2015. Administrative, or
‘preventive’, detention is used by authorities in J&K and other States to unfairly detain persons without charge
or trial and circumvent regular criminal justice procedures.
Underuse of CrPC section 436A
The report added the number of prisoners eligible to be released and actually released, under Section 436A of
the Code of Criminal Procedure, which allows undertrials to be released on a personal bond if they have
undergone half of the maximum term of imprisonment they would have faced if convicted. In 2016, out of
1,557 undertrials found eligible for release under Section 436A, only 929 were released.

Suicides and unnatural death

The number of “unnatural” deaths in prisons, which doubled between 2015 and 2016, from 115 to 231. The
rate of suicide among prisoners also increased by 28%, from 77 suicides in 2015 to 102 in 2016. The National
Human Rights Commission in 2014 had stated that on average, a person is one-and-a-half times more likely to
commit suicide in prison than outside, which is an indicator perhaps of the magnitude of mental health
concerns within prisons.

Issue of Mental illness

About 6,013 individuals with mental illness were in jail in 2016. There was only one mental health professional
for every 21,650 prisoners in 2016, with only six States and one Union Territory having
psychologists/psychiatrists. Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the three States with the most
prisoners with mental illness, did not have a single psychologist or psychiatrist.

Major Problems of Prisons Relevant to India

Overcrowding: Congestion in jails, particularly among undertrials has been a source of concern. India’s
prisons are overcrowded with an occupancy ratio of 14% more than the capacity. More than two-thirds of
the inmates are undertrials. Chhattisgarh and Delhi are among the top three in the list with an occupancy
ratio of more than double the capacity.
Lack of resources: While 33% of the total requirement of prison officials still lies vacant, almost 36% of
vacancy for supervising officers is still unfulfilled. Delhi’s Tihar jail ranks third in terms of a severe staff
crunch. The manpower recruited inside this prison is almost 50% short of its actual requirement. As the
nation’s capital, Delhi has the most over-crowded jails and suffers from acute shortage of prison guards and
senior supervisory staff. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand have the most scantily guarded jails,
seeing over 65% staff vacancies among jailers, prison guards and supervisory levels. In the absence of adequate
prison staff, overcrowding of prisons leads to rampant violence and other criminal activities inside the jails.
Unsatisfactory living conditions : The overcrowding in the prisons leads itself to unsatisfactory living
conditions such as “appalling” sanitary facilities and a shortage of medical staff. In India, an average of
US$ 333 (INR 10 474) per inmate per year was spent by prison authorities during the year of 2005, distributed
under the heads of food, clothing, medical expenses, vocational & educational, welfare activities and others.

Lack of legal aid: In India, legal aid to those who cannot afford to retain the counsel which is only available at
the time of trial and not when the detainee is brought to the remand court. Since the majority of prisoners, those
are in lock up as well as those in prisons have not been tried, the absence of legal aid until the point of trial
reduces greatly the value of the country’s system of legal representation to the poor. The lawyers are not
available at the point when many of them need such assistance.
Dated: 26.June.2019 DNS Notes

Abuse of prisoners : Physical abuse of prisoners by the guards is another chronic problem in the prison of
India. Some countries allowed continuationof corporal punishments and the routine uses of leg irons, fetters,
shackles, and chains. In many prison systems in India, the unwarranted beatings are an integral part of the
prison life. Women prisoners in Indian Prison are particularly vulnerable for the custodial sexual abuse.

Recent Steps in Prison Reforms

The Ministry of Home Affairs has recently approved a New Prison Manual 2016, which aims at uniformity in
laws, rules and regulations governing the administration of prisons and the management of prisoners across
India.
The new manual has given special attention on access to free legal services (Article 39A of the Indian
Constitution), the needs of women prisoners, rights of prisoners sentenced to death, modernization and
computerization of prisons, provisions for children of women prisoners, inspection of prisons, etc.

Guidelines include:
 Under Trial Review Committee to be set up in each district;
 Earliest release of under trials as per the provision of law;
 Empaneling competent lawyers for the under trials;
 Improvement in the living conditions of jails specially for women;
 Management Information System to be in place in all jails; and
 Annual review of the implementation of the Model Prison Manual 2016.

Personal
Notes
Dated: 26.June.2019 DNS Notes

Title 5. Impressed Tortoise (The Hindu, Page-09)

Syllabus Prelims: Environment and Biodiversity
Theme About Impressed Tortoise
Highlights IMPRESSED TORTOISE (IUCN Status: Critically Endangered) (Manouria impressa)
This species has been for the first time been found in India in Arunachal Pradesh by a joint expedition of
Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, Help Earth, and Turtle Survival Alliance India Program.
This is the first record of the species from India, and increases the country’s turtle and tortoise richness to 42
taxa, thus making India the 3rd most turtle rich country in the world.
This elusive, medium-sized tortoise species inhabits moist primary forest hill tracts of the Indo-Burma hot-spot
(Cambodia, China, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam). The last reported range extension of the
species was from Gwa, Myanmar.
Male Impressed Tortoise is smaller than the female which is 30 cm in length. It is one-third the size of ASIAN
FOREST TORTOISE.
With this India has 5 tortoise species and 29 non-marine chelonian species. Chelonian is an order of reptile that
includes turtles, terrapins and tortoises.
There are only two species of tortoises under the Manouria genus. Before this discovery, India was known to
be the home of only the Asian Forest Tortoise.

ASIAN FOREST TORTOISE (IUCN Status: Critically Endangered) (Manouria emys)

Asian Forest Tortoise, the largest in mainland Asia, is found only in the northeast.
Manouria emys is the only tortoise which lays its eggs above ground in a nest, which the female constructs of
leaf litter. The female uses both front and rear legs to gather material for the nest and lays up to 50 eggs deep
inside it. She then sits on and near the nest to protect it, and will "chase" predators and intruders away

Personal
Notes