Universal basic income
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Context:-Key discussion on universal. basic income.
•About:-It is a social welfare proposal where every adult citizen receives a set amount of money regularly.
•Benefit:-
1.Financial security:- It provides financial security to all citizens who give minimum financial guarantee.
2.Poverty Alleviation:-It reduces income inequality for everyone and most for vulnerable and marginalized people.
3.Simplified welfare system:-It simplified the existing welfare system except various targeted social welfare programmes.
4.Economic stimulus:-UBI provides individuals with consumer spending and provides economic growth.
•Issues:-
1.High Cost:-It is very expensive in nature which cuts spending and requires higher taxes.
2.Inflationary pressure:-If everyone receives more money it may increase the price of goods so it will create inflationary pressure by nature.
3.Dependency:-It makes people lazy and they will not want to work which creates dependency on society and it leads to reduced motivation for personal and professional growth.
•What can be done:-
1.Direct benefit Transfer:- This scheme that accounts for the beneficiary instead through intermediaries provides financial assistance.
Example:-Schemes like PM Kisan,Pradhanmantri jan dhan yojana etc are fine Example.
2.Conditional cash transfer:-It is necessary to fulfill certain requirements of human capital and it provides long term outcomes for the poor.
3.Income Support scheme:-It provides cash or in kind assistance to widow women,child,old age person pension which provide financial assistance to them,which was a better alternative of UBI.
4.Guarantee scheme: -It provides some guarantee schemes like MGNREGA,which provide a better alternative to UBI.
•Solar magnetic field research
1. It found the sun's magnetic field across different atmospheric layers.
2. Data was collected from the Kodaikanal Tower Tunnel Telescope, focusing on an active sunspot region.
3. Many elements like hydrogen and calcium were used to study magnetic field stratification.
4. This research advances our understanding of solar magnetic phenomena.
5. The Kodaikanal telescope is a key instrument for solar observations.
6. The Evershed, describes gas flow across sunspots .
7. Magnetic fields connect solar atmosphere layers, transferring energy and mass.
8. "coronal heating problem," is a key solar mystery.
9. The coronal heating problem explains why the Sun's corona is hotter than inner layers.
10. The study sets the foundation for future solar magnetic field research.
• Disaster management act -2005
•Context:-Key amendment proposal of disaster Management act.
1. Background: Enacted after the 2004 tsunami, although the idea emerged after the 1998 Odisha super cyclone.
2. Key Features:
a. Creation of NDMA and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs).
b. Establishment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).
3. Impact:
a. Institutional framework has saved thousands of lived
b. Provided effective relief, rescue, and rehabilitation services.
c. Increasing importance due to the rise in natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.
Proposed Amendments to the Act
1. Urban Disaster Management Authorities:
a. New authorities for large metropolitan cities, headed by the municipal commissioner.
b. Aimed at coordinated approach for
city-level disasters and to address special needs of large metropolitan areas that often span multiple districts.
2. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF):
a. Proposal: Mandatory establishment in every state.
b. Addressing varied capacities across states.
3. National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC):
Already operational, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, handling national emergencies.
Legal status for existing bodies.
Designated as a nodal body for serious national disasters.
4. Enhanced Role of NDMA:
a. Regular assessment of disaster risks, including emerging threats.
b. Expanded responsibilities including risk assessment.
c. Creation and maintenance of the national disaster database.
5. Disaster Compensation Guidelines:
a. Regular assessment of disaster risks, including emerging threats.
b. Creation and maintenance of a national disaster database covering assessments, fund allocation, and preparedness plans.
c. NDMA to recommend standards for relief, including compensation for loss of life, property, and livelihoods.
6. Clarification on Man-made Disasters:
a. Original Act included disasters from "man-made causes.”
b. New Bill specifies that "man-made causes" exclude law-and-order situations, such as riots.
7. NDMA Leadership Structure:
• Legitimization of current operational setup.
•Unaddressed Issues in the Bill
1. Lack of Powers and Resources:
a. Calls for elevating NDMA to a government department or ministry for better coordination and influence.
b. Lack of vice-chairperson limits leadership and political influence.
2. Administrative Bottlenecks:
a. NDMA lacks financial and administrative autonomy.
b. Dependence on the Home Ministry for decisions is inefficient and slow.
3. Current Staffing Levels: Severely understaffed at the top level with only three members, down from six or seven.
4. State-Level Changes: Some amendments, particularly those affecting state structures, may face resistance.
5. Resource Allocation:
a. Questions about funding for new institutions and expanded roles.
b. Potential strain on state resources.
