THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 01 June 2020 (Social security: Digital platform on which govt on-boards all existing PDS outlets is needed (Financial Express))

Social security: Digital platform on which govt on-boards all existing PDS outlets is needed (Financial Express)

Mains Paper 2:Social Justice
Prelims level: JAM trinity
Mains level: Role of digital platform to implement social security scheme

Context:

• JAM trinity notwithstanding, the country doesn’t have a quick-fix solution to expand the coverage of food, health cover or emergency financial assistance to the vulnerable and in need.

About:

• A utility that can can disburse social security benefits on the fly is being missed as the corona pandemic sweeps India.
• JAM trinity notwithstanding, the country doesn’t have a quick-fix solution to expand the coverage of food, health cover or emergency financial assistance to the vulnerable and in need, like migrant labourers and the unemployed.
• Another layer over Aadhaar will be topical, which is more flexible than Jan-Dhan accounts and PDS.
• The first building block of the .................................................................................................

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Benefits of having online national marketplace:

• Having created an online national marketplace, it should be possible for a PDS beneficiary to draw rations from any PDS outlet on the platform in multiple ways:
• Visit the outlet of choice, buy rations and pay online using credit in the wallet. This can be done in a self-service mode using one’s own mobile phone. On assisted mode, the transaction can be completed on the device of the dealer by OTP, password or Aadhaar authentication.
• Order online from any dealer covering the location and either collect rations from a pick-up centre or get home delivery with added delivery cost. This can be particularly useful for the old and infirm. The government can credit an extra value to cover the cost of delivery in deserving cases. Others pay for convenience, including scheduling a delivery after work hours to save the day’s wages.
• Besides where, when and whom to buy, there will be a choice of what to buy. Depending on choice, the value on the wallet may be used with flexibility to buy rice or wheat. A diabetic may prefer to substitute sugar with grain or oil.

Technology system:

• An Amazon-like platform implies open source, open system API-based built which will also be data-rich, capturing in meta detail all the transactions.
• This data can be used to monitor, build and improve the services.
• Access rights can be defined as per need of each participant, central and state governments included. The quality will be critical.
• It best be outsourced to a competent incentive compatible private entity.
• With a stake in the turnover, the platform operator will have an incentive to invest and continuously upgrade the platform, as also on-board both sellers and buyers.

Coverage to other areas:

• Beginning with PDS, the platform may expand to cover fertilisers, seeds, Jan Aushadhi outlets and other social security benefits amenable to DBT.
• Through inclusion of billing for utilities ............................................................................................................

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Way forward:

• In an emergency, it should be possible to on-board additional beneficiaries using Aadhaar authentication to activate new accounts for essential services for a fixed duration.
• As a contingency, a portion of the in-app wallet may be switched to an open one for cash withdrawal at designated points like ATMs, banks, post offices or other service points.
• The proposed social security platform lends itself to roll out Universal Basic Income.
• An in-app wallet that can only be used on it will be amenable to self-selection as the better-to-do will not find it attractive to be on the platform.
• The big data the platform will generate will make for better targeting of social security benefits and basic income criteria.

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General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2020, consider the following statements:
1. International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2020 will be observed on May 31.
2. The theme for this year’s Day is “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace” to help mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer....................................

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Mains Questions:
Q.1)How technology platform can help to improve to distribution of PDS goods and increase their coverage areas to implement effectively as well? Comment.