GS PAPER: III

PM JANMAN scheme

Why in the news?

• Recently the Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), aimed at providing PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• In addition, saturation will also be ensured for schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Sickle Cell Disease Elimination, TB Elimination, 100% immunisation, PM Poshan, PM Jan Dhan Yojana, etc. This initiative is part of the Pradhan Mantri-PVTG Development Mission announced in India’s 2022-23 Union Budget, allocating Rs 15,000 crore over three years to develop them.

About PVTGs

• In 1960-61, the Dhebar Commission identified disparities among Scheduled Tribes, leading to the creation of the “Primitive Tribal Groups” (PTG) category. In 2006, this category was renamed Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• Initially identifying 52 groups, the category was expanded to include 75 groups in 22,544 villages across 18 states and one Union Territory of India, totalling about 28 lakh individuals.
• These groups, living mainly in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, are characterised by pre-agricultural lifestyles, low literacy, small or stagnant populations, and subsistence economies.
• Population sizes vary significantly, from under 1,000 in some groups, such as the Great Andamanese (around 50) and the Onge (around 100), to over 1 lakh in others, such as Maria Gond of Maharashtra and Saura in Odisha.
• Some tribes in central India, like Birhor, face stagnation, while the Onge and Andamanese are experiencing a decline.

Challenges in their development

• PVTGs are severely marginalised due to their isolation, low population, and distinct socio-economic and cultural traits. They struggle with limited access to basic services, social discrimination, and vulnerability to displacement from development and natural disasters. They have little political representation, hindering their participation in decision-making.
• Mainstream society often overlooks their traditional knowledge and practices, and stereotypes about their backwardness are prevalent.
• They are also battling loss of traditional livelihoods and resource rights, lack of market knowledge for Non-Timber Forest Produce, and exploitation by middlemen, threatening their traditional occupations.

Schemes floated for PVTGs

• Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) : The Mission focuses on market linkages and Minor Forest Produce (MFP) procurement at Minimum Support Prices.
• Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana, Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), which collectively aim for the holistic development of tribal areas.
• Additional measures like Eklavya Model Residential Schools, land titles under the Forest Rights Act 2006, Support to Tribal Research Institute (STRI) scheme, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996, and direct recruitment through reservations further aid in education, self-governance, and protection against discrimination.

Challenges in implementation

• Resource limitations,
• Lack of awareness,
• And unequal treatment among different PVTG groups has affected the effectiveness of these schemes.

What does PM-JANMAN do differently?

• Proper identification and recognition: The criteria for identifying PVTGs have been criticised for being outdated. Some PVTGs are not recognised as Scheduled Tribes in certain states, and the list containing repetitive names has led to confusion and exclusion.
• A 2014 report by Dr. Hrusikesh Panda, Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and a 2015 report by Virginius Xaxa highlighted these concerns. The actual number of PVTGs is around 63, accounting for overlaps and repetitions, as per the publication ‘The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of India — Privileges and Predicaments’ by the Anthropological Survey of India.
• Baseline surveys have only been conducted for about 40 PVTG groups, emphasising the need for targeted development planning. The government’s initiative to create a Human Development Index for PVTGs is a significant step towards addressing these vulnerabilities.
• Participatory bottom-up approach: To help PVTGs effectively, the scheme abandons the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach in favour of customised strategies that respect their unique needs and priorities.
  • It actively involves PVTGs in decision-making, addressing land rights, social inclusion, and cultural preservation. This community-based strategy embraces their cultural practices, beliefs, and traditions, ensuring their participation in planning, implementing, and monitoring development projects.
• Livelihood promotion: Providing skills training and resources, like land and credit, will help in sustainable livelihoods.
  • Implementing the Forest Rights Act by granting land titles secures access to forest resources. Section 3(1) (e) of the FRA specifically supports the rights of primitive tribal groups and pre-agricultural communities.
  • Additionally, encouraging traditional technologies and skill enhancement through industry partnerships will help maintain cultural heritage while promoting sustainable development.
• Health, nutrition and education: Outreach strategies like Mobile Medical Health Units will be crucial for providing healthcare in remote areas. These strategies need to be tailored for specific health issues like teenage pregnancies and oral health, and overcoming language and cultural barriers through sensitised healthcare workers or hiring those from within the community. Collaboration with trusted traditional healers can also aid in addressing complex health issues.
  • Incorporating their culture and language into the curriculum, providing transportation, and training teachers about PVTG cultural contexts can enhance education accessibility. Additionally, incentives for personnel working in PVTG areas and special educational institutes focused on PVTG needs can further improve opportunities for these communities.
• Infrastructure development: The habitations of PVTGs often don’t meet the criteria for schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission due to factors like population requirements or lack of surveys.
  • Guidelines for infrastructure schemes, thus, have been relaxed to improve access to housing, water, sanitation, electricity, and connectivity. Adopting a tola-based (habitation) approach rather than a Gram Panchayat-based approach for development planning will better address these communities’ specific needs.

GS PAPER – III

Asset quality of Indian banks

Why in the news?

• According to the Reserve Bank of India the Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio of Indian scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) went on improving in the second quarter of this financial year, dropping to a fresh decadal low.

About the report

• The improvement in asset quality, measured by GNPA ratios, that began in 2018-19 continued during 2022-23. The GNPA ratio of SCBs fell to a decadal low of 3.9% at end-March 2023 and further to 3.2% at end-September 2023.
• During 2022-23, about 45% of reduction in GNPAs of SCBs was contributed by recoveries and upgradations.
• As per the report, the consolidated balance sheet of SCBs (excluding Regional Rural Banks) grew by 12.2% in 2022-23, the highest in nine years.
• The main driver of this growth on the asset side was bank credit, which recorded its fastest pace of expansion in more than a decade.
• During 2022-23, the combined balance sheets of commercial banks expanded in double digits, driven by sustained credit growth. Higher lending rates and lower provisioning requirements helped improve the profitability of banks and shored up their capital positions.
• The capital to risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR) of SCBs was 16.8% at end-September 2023, with all bank groups meeting the regulatory minimum requirement and the common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio requirement.
• The combined balance sheet of urban co-operative banks (UCBs) expanded by 2.3% in 2022-23, driven by loans and advances. Their capital buffers and profitability improved through 2022-23 and Q1:2023-24.
• According to the report the consolidated balance sheet of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) expanded by 14.8% in 2022-23, led by double digit credit growth. 
• Profitability and asset quality of the sector also improved in 2022-23 and in H1:2023-24, even as the sector remained well-capitalised with Capital to Risk (Weighted) Asset Ratio (CRAR) higher than the regulatory requirement.

Phenomenal resilience displayed by banking sector

• Over the last one year, the economy had moved from strength to strength and the banking sector had displayed phenomenal resilience.
• Banks delivered very good performance in FY23 as also in first half of FY24, strengthening capital and other key ratios, gearing up to attain scale to finance multiple large value projects/capex and ambitious transition to clean/green energy and mobility, while also building huge digital capabilities and forward-looking risk metrics to efficiently serve a large consumption centric young population.
• The ‘twin balance sheet advantage, seems truly the new normal for underpinning the holistic economic growth that permeates horizons not seen before.
• The Indian economy has continued exhibiting robust resilience during the current year too, building upon the momentum initiated during 2022-23, notwithstanding the global turmoil as escalating multiple footprints of geopolitical tensions threaten to change the terms of trade, clocking growth rate of 7.7% in H1’ FY23-24, the highest among major economies in the world.
• In the backdrop of failure of large banking institutions globally this year, “the relative calmness here signals an unparalleled maturity of ecosystem that seems a harbinger of good times ahead.

GS PAPER – II

External Affairs Minister Russia visit

Why in news?

• External affair minister S. Jaishankar began his five day visit from 25 to 29 December to Moscow and St Petersburg,
• During which he holed talks with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and intergovernmental commission talks with Deputy Trade minister Denis Manturovhi.
• Then there was meeting with Russian president Vladimir putin.

What was expected in meeting?

• It will have discussion on number thorny bilateral issues, including continuing problems over the rupee rouble payment mechanism amid a surge in the imports of Russian oil and bilateral trade.
• Discussion on delays in supplies of defence equipments.
• It holds importance because it is happening in lieu of the annual summit due to be held between prime minister Narendra modi and Russian president Vladimir Putin , an unbroken tradition from the year 2000 and 2021 , and which is dues from 2 years.

What happened in the meeting?

• A number of agreements on trade, connectivity, nuclear energy, military technology and arms supplies.
• The Annual India- Russia leadership summit, which Prime Minister Narendra modi and Russian president Vladimir Putin have skipped for two years, would be held in 2024.

India Russia relation:

• India and Russia signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation in January 1993 and a bilateral Military –Technical cooperation agreement in 1994.
• After disintegration of the Soviet Union both countries formed a strategic partnership in 2000.
• The strategic partnership was promoted to the status of “special and privileged strategic partnership “in 2010.
• Presently India Russia relation remain steady, remain very strong, they are based on strategic convergence on geopolitical interests and because they are mutually beneficial.

GS PAPER – III

Blast near Israel embassy

Why in news?

• The Delhi police, fire department received call about a blast near the Israel Embassy in the Chanakyapuri area in New Delhi on 26^th December.
• The police have found CCTV footage; purportedly show a low intensity blast taking place.

What followed?

• A source in the intelligence agencies also said that they found CCTV footage of two suspects who were present at the spot during the time of incident.
• Sharpnel and ball bearings were recovered from the spot.
• But there is neither any source of explosives nor they have recovered any explosive materials from the garden space where the blast occurred.

What about the letter recovered?

• The police also recovered an abusive threat letter by a previously Unknown group – Sir Allah Resistance addressed to Israel Embassy ambassador at the spot.
• The letter in English contains abusive words and mentions Zionists, Palestine and Gaza.
• The recovered letter has been sent to the forensic science laboratory to check for fingerprints.

Israel travel Advisory for its citizen In India:

• They suspects that explosion might be a possible terror attack
• Israeli nationalist asked to avoid crowded place such as malls and markets and places identified as serving westerners, Jews and Israelis.
• They have been urged to be on alert on restaurants, hotels and pubs and avoid displaying Israeli symbol and posting real time photograph.