(FREE) UPSC Current Affairs 2024 PDF

(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Social Security – Vital for Development and Prosperity

(NOVEMBER-2024)

Social Security – Vital for Development and Prosperity

Introduction:

India’s social safety framework is vast, encompassing social insurance, social assistance, the right to education, and the right to food. These initiatives primarily stem from the central government level, with state authorities enhancing them in various areas. Social security guarantees a dignified and proud existence by addressing essential life aspects for individuals.

Definition and Scope of Social Protection

The International Labour Organization (ILO) characterizes social protection as a collection of policies aimed at alleviating poverty, vulnerability, and social exclusion throughout one’s life.

Components of Social Protection:

Child and Family Benefits
Maternity Protection
Unemployment Support
Employment Injury Benefits
Sickness Benefits
Health Protection
Old-age Benefits
Invalidity/Disability Benefits
Survivor’s Benefits

Global Perspectives on Social Security

World Bank Viewpoint: Considers effectively designed social protection programs as high-yield investments. A dollar invested in impoverished families generates a multiplier effect of $2.49 in the local economy. Acknowledges social security as a potent instrument for fulfilling human rights, satisfying basic needs, and promoting active community engagement.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG Goal 1 stresses “eradicating poverty in all its forms” and champions robust social protection frameworks worldwide.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Article 22 underscores the right to social security for dignity and personal growth. Reiterated by the 2012 International Labour Conference commitment to universal social protection floors.

Need for Universal Social Protection

UN’s 56th Commission on Social Development:

Emphasizes that 71% of the global populace lacks sufficient protection, with over 750 million living in extreme poverty.
Merely 29% of the global labor force enjoys comprehensive social protection.
World Social Protection Report 2024-26 (ILO): Coverage has risen to 52.4%, yet significant gaps endure, especially affecting children and women.
Social protection bolsters economic development, social inclusion, and political stability by diminishing inequalities and fostering societal cohesion.

Social Security Measures in India

Right to Education

Education is a fundamental entitlement (Article 21A).
Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009: Guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14.

Key Initiatives:

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: Aims to provide education for 192 million children across 1.1 million habitations.
Samagra Shiksha Scheme: Encompasses education from pre-school through class XII, ensuring quality and inclusive learning.
State-level Initiatives: States like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra have broadened free education availability for girls.

Right to Food

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: Entitles up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban populations to subsidized food.

Key Programs:

PM Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojana: Supplied additional food grains during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana: Concentrates on food security for the most vulnerable groups.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN): Provides nutrition for children, benefitting 11.8 crore students across 11.2 lakh schools.
State Initiatives: States like Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Karnataka provide subsidized hot meals.
Health Insurance for the Impoverished: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): The world’s largest health insurance initiative covering 12 crore families, offering benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually. Recently expanded to include all senior citizens aged 70 and above.

Right to Work and Employment

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Allocates 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households.
Code on Social Security 2020: Introduces safeguards for unorganized, gig, and platform workers, encompassing healthcare, income security, maternity benefits, and other social security provisions.

Social Security for Senior Citizens

Global Aging Trend (WHO): The population aged 60+ is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2030.
Pensions: 79.6% of the elderly population worldwide receives pensions. India’s central and state governments allocate substantial budgets for pensions, with numerous schemes aiding non-government workers.

Senior Citizen Schemes in India:

Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY): Addresses healthcare, nutrition, and well-being.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme: Provides Rs. 200 per month, with extra state contributions for beneficiaries.

Protection for Workers in the Unorganized Sector

Economic Survey 2023-24: India’s workforce comprises approximately 565 million, with 45% employed in agriculture.

Key Schemes:

Employees State Insurance (ESI): Offers health protection, unemployment, and illness benefits.
Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO): Facilitates old-age income security.
Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008: Grants benefits like life and disability coverage, health, and old-age security.

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bhima Yojana (PM JJBY): Provides Rs. 2 lakh risk coverage for individuals aged 18-50 at an annual premium of Rs. 436.

Future Directions and Challenges

Global Comparisons:

Certain nations, like Uruguay, have attained comprehensive social protection, resulting in high per capita income and low poverty levels.

ILO’s 2024-26 Report:

An additional $1.4 trillion per year is needed for low- and middle-income countries to ensure fundamental social protection.

Key Insight:

Social protection programs are essential for sustainable economic growth, as highlighted by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, emphasizing their influence on worker productivity and equitable development.

Conclusion:

Social security systems are crucial not just for reducing poverty but also for promoting social integration, stability, and economic advancement. India's broad social welfare initiatives, although significant, necessitate continual evolution and adjustment to demographic and socio-economic shifts.