Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 29 February 2024

CONTENTS

1. Indian Emigrants in War Zones
2. The Economic Case for Investing in India’s Children

Indian Emigrants in War Zones

Context:

In its inaugural acknowledgment of such incidents, the government has officially recognized that individuals of Indian origin have been enlisted by the Russian Army and strategically positioned within the borders of Ukraine, which are currently under Russian control. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that a limited number of Indian nationals have enlisted for auxiliary roles such as military support jobs, serving as helpers and loaders—a practice actively discouraged by the government.

Relevance:

GS2- Indian Diaspora

Mains Question:

Recently, some individuals of Indian origin have been enlisted by the Russian Army and strategically positioned within the borders of Ukraine, which are currently under Russian control. In this context, examine if India has sufficient protocols in place to protect emigrants from conflicts. What more needs to be done to cater to the diverse needs of Indian emigrants. (15 Marks, 250 Words).

Participation of Indians as Employees in Conflict Zones:

• There has been compelling evidence pointing to the participation of numerous Indians in the conflict via certain reports.
• The reports included the tragic demise of an individual from Surat who fell victim to a Ukrainian drone-operated missile.
• An early acknowledgment of the issue and increased awareness campaigns against those misleading Indians might have served as deterrents, dissuading others from joining and exposing themselves to harm.
• The government is now urged to investigate the networks of unscrupulous recruiters who charge exorbitant fees from Indians seeking employment abroad, often failing to fully disclose the nature of the work involved.
• The stark reality is that even after becoming aware of their menial roles in a war zone, these individuals find themselves with limited options.
• Having depleted their family’s savings or incurred loans to finance their ventures, these men are compelled to stay on to recoup their investments, as returning without earning back some of the expended resources becomes a challenging prospect.

Current Legislations on Emigration:

• In 2022, the Lok Sabha disclosed that emigration clearances were granted to 3,73,434 Indians, with Punjab accounting for 10,654 of these clearances.
• The regulatory framework overseeing emigration is the Emigration Act of 1983, which governs the migration of skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers, as well as certain professionals like nurses, for employment in 18 specified countries.
• The current mechanism for labour recruitment operates under the provisions of the Emigration Act, 1983.
• This legislation primarily addresses labour migration to foreign countries, particularly in West Asia and Gulf Countries, and stipulates that recruiting agencies and middlemen must be certified by the government.
• It also provides detailed guidelines regarding recruitment charges and outlines minimum service conditions to safeguard the rights of individuals seeking employment abroad.
• In contrast, the proposed Emigration Bill of 2021 is designed to replace and enhance the existing Emigration Act, 1983.
• Under this bill, emigrants are defined as Indian citizens departing from or seeking employment outside India.
• A new emigration policy division is established under the Ministry of External Affairs, which includes help desks and welfare committees for migrant workers.
• The draft Bill introduces two authorities: the Bureau of Emigration Policy and Planning (BEPP) and the Bureau of Emigration Administration (BEA).
• The BEPP is tasked with formulating policies related to the welfare of emigrants and negotiating labor and social security agreements with destination countries.
• It envisions the appointment of a joint secretary level officer as the chief of emigration policy and planning.
• On the other hand, the BEA focuses on maintaining a database of Indian emigrants, implementing welfare measures and programs, and establishing nodal committees in states and union territories.
• Key features of the bill include the accreditation of employers, a digitized record of Indian emigrants (including blacklisted individuals), and the registration of human resources agencies engaged in recruitment.
• The bill imposes penalties for offenses related to emigration, with imprisonment ranging from three to seven years or fines ranging from three to five lakh rupees, or both.
• Additionally, it prohibits the operation of human resource agencies unless registered as per the specified legal frameworks, such as the Companies Act, 2013, or the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008.
• Appeals against decisions of the competent authority regarding the registration of these agencies will be adjudicated by the central government.

However, the bill has not been passed yet.

Way Forward:

• The government should reassess its protocols concerning countries experiencing conflicts, with a particular focus on updating the list of 18 “Emigration Check Required” countries.
• This revision is necessary to ensure a more thorough scrutiny of contracts for Indians embarking on overseas assignments in conflict zones, offering them improved guidance and enhanced protection.
• Recognizing similar challenges faced by Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, there is an opportunity to foster regional cooperation to combat networks promoting unsafe employment opportunities.
• The Ministry of External Affairs’ appeals for individuals to “stay away from conflict” appear to be insufficient. It is disconcerting that the government has approved recruitment initiatives for other conflict zones, such as Israel, where Indian construction and eldercare workers are being enlisted to replace Palestinians who have been denied entry into the country since October 7.
• Addressing the broader issue, the numerous instances of Indians venturing into perilous international zones or undertaking arduous journeys as illegal immigrants underscore the profound economic distress and job shortages prevalent in India.

Conclusion:

While acknowledging that there are no quick fixes to entrenched economic challenges, the government must demonstrate greater empathy for the predicaments faced by many. This involves implementing more comprehensive protocols for emigrants and establishing robust support structures for those in precarious situations.

The Economic Case for Investing in India’s Children

Context:

The necessity of economic investment in India’s children may appear self-evident, given the nation’s emphasis on the demographic dividend, education, and employment. However, the realm of early childhood education has persistently suffered from inadequate investment and exploration over the years. With the government’s growing emphasis on women-led development, as exemplified by a recent survey conducted by the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Labour on working women, care work, and early childhood is finally gaining recognition as integral to the essential functions of governing a country.

Relevance:

GS2- Education

Mains Question:

Has India seen an increased investment in terms of new policies and finances in early childhood care and education over the years? How can this propel India towards its goal of becoming ‘Viksit Bharat’? (15 Marks, 250 Words).

Initiatives Targeting Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE):

• Shifting the focus earlier in the life cycle, the rationale for increased investment in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is fundamental—a nation’s human resources are built on the foundation of a human being’s early childhood.
• Over time, the developmental state in India has responded to parental aspirations for education, initially targeting first access, surpassing a 100% gross enrollment ratio at the primary level.
• The focus has now shifted towards ensuring quality education, with an increased emphasis on evaluating learning outcomes.
• Recognizing the challenges faced by India’s young learners, particularly a significant number of Standard three students struggling with basic reading and arithmetic skills, there has been a redirection of attention to an even earlier stage in the life cycle—children under six.
• This has given rise to endeavors like the Ministry of Education’s National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Bharat, which targets foundational literacy and numeracy. Additionally, the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s (MWCD) Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi focuses on enhancing Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) quality through the Anganwadi system.
• The commendable commitment in the interim Budget 2024 includes expediting the upgrade of Saksham Anganwadis and extending Ayushman Bharat services to Anganwadi workers, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), and helpers.
• In 2023, there was a notable increase in the allocation for teaching-learning materials, with the budget tripling from approximately ₹140 crore to ₹420 crore per annum.
• This assumption is based on the presence of 14 lakh Anganwadi centers serving India’s poorest eight crore children under the age of six.

The Anganwadi system:

• To provide context, the budgeted expenditure for centrally sponsored schemes in 2024-25, a substantial component of Centre-State fiscal transfers, is ₹5.01 lakh crore.
• Within this, the Anganwadi system is allocated about ₹21,200 crore, surpassing allocations for rural roads (₹12,000 crore) and irrigation (₹11,391 crore), but falling short of the National Education Mission (₹37,500 crore) and the National Health Mission (₹38,183 crore).
• In contrast, the Department of Higher Education receives approximately ₹47,619 crore, catering to around four crore enrolled learners, predominantly from the more privileged sections of Indian society.
• The Anganwadi system merits increased allocation and expenditure from both the Central and State governments, as supported by recent research.
• Quasi-experimental impact evaluations utilizing existing survey data have demonstrated notable enhancements in cognitive and motor skills among children attending Anganwadi centers compared to their counterparts, particularly narrowing gender and income-related disparities.
• A 2020 study indicates that children exposed to the Anganwadi system from ages zero to three tend to complete 0.1-0.3 more grades of school. While evidence at the individual level is accumulating, the broader macroeconomic implications are yet to be fully explored.
• To make informed decisions regarding expenditure on infrastructure, capacity building, materials, and staffing, it is crucial to align micro-level data with macro-level considerations, converting amounts from paise to lakh and crore.
• Estimates are essential to gauge the potential contributions to GDP resulting from the proven individual benefits of robust Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
• These benefits include improvements in women’s physical and mental health, lifespan, public health expenditure, children’s educational attainment, as well as their physical and mental well-being, and the potential to mitigate social unrest.
• The renowned Perry Preschool study by Nobel Laureate Heckman revealed that children who received high-quality ECCE grew into less violent adults.
• The early development of robust socio-emotional skills may even play a role in preventing student suicides later in life.

Need for research in India:

• There is a pressing need for systematic and rigorous research in the Indian context, building upon the contributions of eminent scholars who have explored the macroeconomic and social implications of early childhood development.
• To formulate policies grounded in evidence, it is imperative to comprehend the opportunity cost associated with insufficient allocation of material resources, funds, and top-tier talent to the early childhood sector.
• While international researchers, such as those at the University of Chicago and Yale University, have indicated a 13% annual return on investment for every dollar spent on early childhood in the American context, similar longitudinal studies are crucial for India.
• These studies should investigate the impact of early childhood care, including the Anganwadi system, which stands as the world’s largest public provisioning system for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).

Conclusion:

Considering that children born in 2024 will reach adulthood by 2047, India’s 100th year of independence and the targeted year for Viksit Bharat, it becomes evident that the trajectory from developing to developed nations, akin to the Asian Tigers, necessitates investments in human development. The earlier these investments are made, the more advantageous the outcomes. If the goal is to enable women to actively participate in the workforce and ensure the flourishing of India’s children, then investing in ECCE is undeniably the forward path. It is not merely child’s play; it is a strategic imperative.