Mother, child and adolescent health high on Government agenda

Mother, child and adolescent health high on Government agenda: Shri J P Nadda India hosts Global Stakeholder Consultation

The health of women, young adults and children is central to the governance agenda the Government and it is not just the concern of the global community. Reaffirming the commitment of the government towards meeting the health needs of mothers, adolescents and children, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri J P Nadda stated this at the inauguration of the Global Stakeholders’ Consultation to update the strategy for health of Woman, Children and Adolescents- “Every Woman, Every Child”, here today. The global consultation is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with UN Secretary General’s Office, the World Health Organisation and Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) and other H4+ partners comprising six United Nations agencies- UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, WHO and the World Bank. Pointing that improved health outcomes are an economic and social investment which is an integral part for a robust and thriving economy, the Health Minister pointed out that India has made substantial progress on several indicators in the recent years. The under-five mortality rate has come down by over 61 per cent between 1990 and 2013; the neonatal mortality rate has registered a 47 per cent decline between 1990 and 2013, while the maternal mortality indicators have shown reduction of nearly 70 per cent between 1990 and 2013. He stated that India is geared to achieve its targets for both MGD 4 and 5. ShriNadda stated that drawing on the lessons learned through the implementation of various targeted programmes under the NHM, existing traditional areas of work have been strengthened and newer focus areas have been identified. India has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach, the RMNCH+A, focusing attention on all the life stages including adolescents. This new approach emphasizes inter-linkages between each of the five pillars under RMNCH+A, and connects community and facility based services. The Health Minister highlighted the salient features of the Mission ‘Indradhanush’ to ensure vaccination of each and every left out and missed out child in India against seven vaccine-preventable diseases by 2020. These diseases include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B. He further added that India’s universal immunisationprogramme has been expanded to introduce three new vaccines for children: those against rotavirus, rubella and polio – targeting rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhoea and among the biggest killers of children in our country.To address the challenge posed by the significant inequalities across and within states, the focus has been shifted to geographical areas of greatest concern and populations that carry the highest burden of illness and mortality, he stated. Speaking at the occasion, MsAmina Mohammed, Special Advisor to UN Secretary Generalsaid that while tremendous progress has been made during the last decade on several indicators of mother, child and adolescent health, much remains to be done. There is need for deepening and strengthening partnerships between various stakeholders for achieving the goals for a sustainable development agenda. Emerging economies have an important role to play within this framework of partnership, she added. The updated 2015 Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health seeks to inform the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda with a vision to ensure that by 2030 every woman, child, and adolescent can realize their potential and right to attain the highest level of health and wellbeing, dignity and human security. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. Dr.FlaviaBustreo,Assistant Director General, WHO;DrPoonamKhetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO;MrYemuraiNyoni, youth Parliamentarian from Zimbabwe; MsNataMenabde, Country Representative, WHO; Secretary (Health& Family Welfare), Shri B P Sharma and other senior officials from the Health Ministry were also present at the inaugural session of the two-day global meet.

Performance of #CentralPublicSector Enterprises (Cpses) Shows Improvement in 2013-14

The Public Enterprises Survey (2013-14), brought out by the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry  of   Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of India on the performance of Central Public Sector Enterprises was placed in both the Houses of  Parliament today. There were 290 CPSEs in 2013-14, out of   which 234 were in operation. Rest (56)  of  the CPSEs were under construction. The major highlight of the performance of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE), during 2013-14 is mentioned below:                     2013-14                     2012-2013 Overall net profit of 234 CPSEs is Rs.1,29,109 crore in 2013-14 Overall net profit of 230 CPSEs is Rs.1,14,981 crore in 2012-13 163 CPSEs posted net profit of RS.1,49,164 crore in 2013-14 151 CPSEs posted net profit of  Rs.1,43,543 crore in 2012-13 71 CPSEs incurred net loss of Rs.20,055 crore in 2013-14 78 CPSEs incurred net loss of Rs.28,562 crore in 2012-13 Total investment in 290 CPSEs stood at Rs.9,92,971 crore in 2013-2014 Total investment in 277 CPSEs stood at Rs. 8,45,334 crore  in 2012-13 Dividend paid  by  CPSEs during 2013-14 is Rs.65,115 crore Dividend paid  by CPSEs during 2012-13 is Rs.49,703 crore Highlights ·         Total paid  up capital in 290 CPSEs as on 31.3.2014 stood at Rs.1,98,722 crore compared to 31.03.2014 compared to 1,81,889 crores  as on 31.03.2013 (277 CPSEs), recording a growth of 9.25 %. ·         Total investment (equity plus long tern loans) in all CPSEs stood at Rs,9,92,971 crore as on 31.03.2014 compared to Rs. 8,45,334 crore as on 31.03.2013, recording a growth of 17.46%. ·         Capital Employed (paid up capital plus reserve & surplus and long term loans) in all CPSEs stood at Rs.17,44,321 crore on 31.03.2014 compared to Rs.15,29,811 crore as on 31.03.2013 showing a growth of  14.02%. ·         Total turnover/gross revenue from operation of all CPSEs during 2013-14 stood at Rs.20,61,866 crore compared to Rs.19,45,814 crore in the previous year showing an increase of 5.96%. ·         Total income of all CPSEs during 2013-14 stood at Rs.20,52,349 crore compared to Rs.19,31,186 crore in 2012-13,showing an increase of  6.27%. ·         Profit of  profit making CPSEs stood at Rs.1,49,164 crore during 2013-14 compared to Rs.1,43,543 crore in 2012-13 showing a growth of  3.92%. ·         Loss of  loss incurring CPSEs  stood at Rs.20,055 crore in 2013-14 compared to Rs.28,562 crore in 2012-13 showing a decline in loss by 29.78%. ·         Overall net profit of all 234 CPSEs during 2013-14 stood at Rs.1,29,109 crore compared to Rs.1,14,981 crore during 2012-13 showing an increase of 12.29%. ·         Reserves & Surplus of all CPSEs went up from Rs.6,84,477 crore in 2012-13 to Rs.7,51,350 crores in 2013-14 showing an increase by 9.77%. ·         Net worth of all CPSEs went up from Rs.8,66,366 crore in 2012-13 t0 Rs.9,50,072 crore in 2013-14 registering a growth of  9.66%. ·         Contribution of CPSEs to Central Exchequer by way of excise duty, customs duty, corporate tax, interest on Central Government loans, divided and other duties and taxes increased from Rs.1,63,212 crore in 2012-13 to Rs.2,20,166 crore in 2013-14 showing an increase of  34.90%. ·         Foreign exchange earnings through exports of goods and services decreased from Rs.1,39,228 crore in 2012-13 to RS.1,22,719 crore in 2013-14, showing a reduction of  11.86%. ·         Foreign Exchange outgo on imports and royalty, know-how, consultancy, interest and other expenditure decreased from 6,47,222 crore in 2012-13 to 6,46,238 crore in 2013-14 showing a reduction of 0.15%. ·         CPSEs employed 13.51 lakh people (excluding contractual workers) in 2013-14. ·         Salary and wages went up in all CPSEs from Rs.1,16,363 crore in 2012-13 to Rs.1,21,038 crore in 2013-14 showing an increase of 4.02%. ·         Total market capitalization : 46 CPSEs traded on stock exchanges of  India as on 31.03.2014 based on stock prices on Mumbai Stock Exchange, as on 31.03.2014, the market capitalization of 46 CPSEs stood at Rs.11,08,307.05 crore as against Rs.11,16,889.23 crore stood as on 31.03.2013. Thus, there was decrease in market capitalization of  CPSEs  by (-) 0.77% (Rs.8,582.18 crore) as on 31.03.2014 over market capitalization as on 31.03.2013. ·         M_Cap of  CPSEs as percent of  BSE M_Cap decreased from 17.64% as on 31.03.2013 to 14.95% as on 31.03.2014.

Protection of Coastal Areas from Rising Sea Level

Recently released Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that global mean sea level has risen by 190 mm over the period 1901-2010. The satellite based linear trend during 1993-2011 is estimated to be 3.2±0.5mm/year that is about 60% higher than the best estimate of 2.0mm/year by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2007 assessment report. However, the estimated sea level rise by the tide gauge records (of over 200) for the period 1993-2009 is found to be about 2.8±0.8mm/year. Government has carried out mapping and demarcating of multi-hazard coastal vulnerability for the entire coast of India. Based on the recommendations of the expert committee report of the Prof M. S. Swaminathan, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is making efforts to implement an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plan for India instead of uniform Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) framework. Accordingly, the Central Government has issued CRZ-2011 notification with a view to ensure livelihood security to the fisher communities and other local communities living in the coastal areas. The MoEF had launched an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project by establishing a Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM). Under the project, SICOM would be implementing the four components, namely, (i) National Coastal Management Programme; (ii) ICZM-West Bengal; (iii) ICZM-Orissa; (iv) ICZM-Gujarat. National component includes (a) Demarcation of hazard line for mapping the entire coastline of the mainland of the country; (b) A National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) has been established within the campus of Anna University, Chennai with its regional centres in each of the coastal States/Union territories to promote research and development in the area of coastal management including addressing issues of coastal communities. In general, it is expected that east coast of India will be more vulnerable than the west coast because of its low lying nature and hence the tendency of coastal flooding will rise if the sea level rises significantly. Multi-hazard approach that fully accounts for holistic coastal vulnerability arising from the Earthquake, Cyclones, Flood, Storm Surge and Tsunami etc. is considered for developing hazard resistant design criteria for construction of on-shore infrastructure viz. houses, buildings, special economic zones (SEZs), ports, construction of bridges for evacuation of habitants in low lying zones like Sundarbans, Bay Islands etc., Industrial and Infrastructure Corridors. Future projections of sea level involve uncertainties which make it difficult to predict impacts with sufficient level of confidence. India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) outlines a strategy that aims to enable the country adapt to climate change and enhances the ecological sustainability of our development path.

How aerosols affect tropical rainfall

The inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ), a belt of precipitation caused by the trade winds (which blow from east to west in the north and southern hemispheres near the equator) has been shifting southwards in Central America since 1900, when the industrial revolution and associated atmospheric pollution began in real earnest.

The reason for this shift according to a new study is the cooling effect of aerosols which, produced in large quantities due to industrialisation reflect sun’s heat back into space and work in contrast to green house gases which trap atmospheric heat and cause global warming.

Cooling of the atmosphere results in less rainfall and dry conditions while warming leads to evaporation, convection and rainfall. The study found that since 1900 there has been a steady increase in rainfall in the southern tropics, in contrast to a steady decrease in the northern tropics and the ITCZ has shifted southwards in the Central American region.

The study was conducted by lead- author Dr. Harriet E. Ridley, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK and others. The researchers analysed a stalagmite found in a cave in Belize (a Central American nation) to construct a record of rainfall patterns in the region over the past 450 years. This site is near the northernmost extent of the ITCZ, a remarkably sensitive location for reconstructing even minor variations in ITCZ position.The work was published recently in the journal Nature Geoscience.

The team measured Carbon -13 (δ13C) isotope levels over this period in the various layers of the stalagmite. Carbon isotope serves as a good proxy for rainfall as recorded in the stalagmite over the thousands of years of its formation. The authors support this view using instrumental data from the region.

Stalagmites grow incrementally as drops of water seep through the overlying rock. The growth of the stalagmite is therefore linked to the amount of water reaching it, which is in part controlled by rainfall. Furthermore, every drop of water reaching the cave has a unique chemical signature which is controlled by the prevailing climate, most often temperature and rainfall amount. This chemical signature is then incorporated into the stalagmite layers as it grows. By 'chemical signature' in this case, is meant oxygen and carbon isotopes. At the Belize cave site the carbon isotope value of each layer of the stalagmite is controlled by the amount of water dripping onto the stalagmite and therefore the amount of rainfall. As this carbon isotope values change through time one can see how rainfall has changed.

The stalagmite portions were dated by measuring Uranium-Thorium ratios over the past centuries.

U-Th dating is based on the radioactive decay of uranium-234 to thorium-230. This decay is part of a much longer decay series. In order to conduct Uranium-Thorium dating, powder samples (19 in this case) spread between the top and bottom of the stalagmite were taken.

”A key factor in the method is that uranium is soluble in water while the daughter products are non-soluble. This means that uranium is present in water which seeps into limestone caves and is incorporated into stalagmites but it's non-soluble daughter products are not. Daughter isotopes present in the sample increase through time as the uranium decays and the ratio of the uranium to the thorium is measured to provide an age estimate,” clarified Dr. Ridley in an email to this correspondent.

The study revealed that rainfall in the Northern Tropics where Belize is situated indeed declined dramatically since 1900 when the industrial revolution began.

The authors point to increased aerosol concentrations in the Northern Tropics of Central America as the likely cause. There have been drying events even before 1900, but these coincided with Northern Hemisphere volcanic eruptions which sent aerosols into the atmosphere causing cooling and therefore, dry conditions. Similarly, volcanic eruptions in the southern hemisphere resulted in temporary cooling in the southern tropics.

Time to lift the gloomy veil covering Indian #STEAM

To a large extent, the ruling dispensations are to blame, though fat pocket industries cannot be left blameless

A pall of gloom has set in the world of Indian Science, Technology, Agriculture and Medicine (STEAM) over the last two years or so. And it has nothing (not yet) to do with who runs the government. First an across-the-board cut of over 30 per cent of the allotted budget was imposed by the previous government, leading to last-minute dropping of projects and delays in existing ones. And the present government has neither restored the cut nor added anything yet. Going by indications, it might not improve significantly. We heard a decade ago that the budget for STEAM will improve from the then 0.8 per cent of GDP to over 2 per cent in a gradual manner. Yes, it did rise to almost 1 per cent but dropped back in real terms soon. Indian efforts in STEAM are fast losing steam. So is higher education.

To a large extent, the ruling dispensations are to blame, though fat pocket industries cannot be left blameless. Unlike in Europe, Japan or the US, private industries and/or industrialists here do not have foundations or similar entities that support research by others; they at best support in-house research and development. Thus, most of us have to depend entirely on the central and state governments for support. State governments support research more by lip service than lakhs of rupees.

The earlier government had in place not one but two scientific advisory panels, had STEAM experts members in the Planning Commission, and these bodies did bring about some changes and plans for action. We are hoping the present government too would seek similar or better advice and counsel, but it is yet to be. They have so far extolled past achievements (real and imagined) rather than explore tomorrow’s science.

More often than not, ministers declare that they will open more IITs, IIMs, AIIMSs and Central Universities and so forth, often in rural places with little or no academic contacts with peers, as often happens in cities. Politicians are particularly enamoured with the success of some of these elite institutes, and think they can do the same within a few years by allotting hundreds of acre and promising billions of rupees, which may or may not come. But, bricks and mortar do not an IIT make. Today, over 30 such institutions have mushroomed across the country, and most remain headless, and the heads of already existing institutions are asked to nurse, nurture and mentor the newbies — a bureaucratic double-whammy solution. Getting the right people and letting them loose to experiment is the trick, but such autonomy is anathema for the rulers. Expert committees meet and recommend what they consider as the right men/women for the job, but the minister dismisses the recommendation and offers the job to the person of his/her choice — a classic example of ‘he who pays calls the tune.’ And we want excellence!

As Professor Amartya Sen said recently: “Academic governance in India remains so deeply vulnerable to the opinions of the ruling government.” So true. Oxford is not run by David Brown, nor is Harvard by Obama. Domain expertise, independence in decision making and autonomy — three conditions extolled by experts as essential for success need to be guaranteed. This was how the original 5 IITs and 5 central universities gained their name and fame. This is how the Indian Institute of Science has remained an outstanding institution for over 100 years. Politicians, please keep out of these!

It is worse when you call the tune, but not even pay. Over the last couple of years, the allocated budget of the government R &D labs, and grants for research project, has been cut by as much as 35 per cent. Some labs have had to pay salaries for their staff from internal funds. Researchers go around with letters that have sanctioned sums of money as grants for their research projects, but the promised money has not come yet.

It is a marvel that despite all these, many scientists and academicians continue to perform well. I know of at least half a dozen youngsters who have published world class research publications very recently. Almost all of these are patentable and can bring wealth. A couple of them, given timely (indeed immediate) support, can be fine-tuned to generate potential treatment for the rampant viral disease swine flu if a targeted programme is launched with urgency and funded. They need help and hand-holding. The NIH model in the U.S. screens such publications and helps the authors get patents and allow licensing. We have two brilliant scientists heading the Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Science and Technology. I request them to look into this aspect of screening potential breakthroughs and assist the author in patenting and licensing, and launch a program, just as China did (and succeeded with the SARS virus).

Independent India was founded and has developed largely by making friends with science. And in doing so, it relied on the wisdom and commitment of some scientists and economists who thought big. The government respected their views and acted on them, without any major interference. Plans were made, money was budgeted and spent, and we have progressed. This trend has been good to us, but in recent times this is being given the go by. The science academies have played positive roles and continue to do so, by mentoring young researchers, offering academic advice, discussing and debating with the relevant ministers. What we need is to continue to have spokespersons, even “lobbyists” as the U.S. term has it, academies and professional societies interacting with government assert themselves and taking on a role of advocacy. In such absence the budget for STEAM will continue to be sub-optimal. Mr Jaitley, continue to make friends with science and fund it. Mere 0.8 per cent of GDP will not do. Make it 2 per cent and make it in India. Tabee to Acche Din Aayenge.

Empowering the States

The broad contours of a cooperative federal polity where the Centre and States engage as equal partners in development is now emerging after the government on Tuesday accepted the recommendations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission. The FFC, headed by former RBI Governor Y.V. Reddy, has broken new ground by recommending a move away from scheme and grants-based support to States to a greater devolution of funds from the Centre’s divisible pool of tax revenues. Thus, it has recommended that the Centre share 42 per cent of the divisible pool with the States, which is 10 percentage points higher than what is the case now. By accepting the recommendation despite the fact that it would lead to a sharp drop in its own share of revenues at a time of fiscal pressures, the Centre has sent out an unequivocal signal of its commitment to the principle of ‘#cooperative federalism’. The phrase was first mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the context of his decision to replace the Planning Commission with the #NITI Aayog. Indeed, the FFC’s report, along with the setting up of the NITI Aayog and the consensus on the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, are important components of the emerging federal landscape where the Centre confers greater freedom and responsibility on the latter by devolving greater resources to them.

Consequent to the higher devolution of funds, the Centre is likely to re-evaluate several schemes that it sponsors for the States. This is a natural consequence as the Centre needs to offset its loss of revenue even as States devise their own spending programmes tailored to their needs. It is a fact that some States have been weighed down by the need to cough up their share of funds for Centrally sponsored schemes even if such schemes are not relevant to their needs. For example, for a State such as Kerala with its high literacy levels, a scheme to promote primary education is not relevant, just as one promoting power generation is not relevant to a power-surplus State such as Gujarat. The key to the success of this experiment in cooperative federalism lies in how well the States use the higher revenues and the accompanying freedom to frame their development priorities. Some of the better-developed States such as Tamil Nadu might feel aggrieved at a reduction in their share of devolved funds, ironically because of their better development metrics relative to other States. But this is federalism at work, because the resources freed up thus go to support another State that might be lagging behind on development parameters and per capita income. What is important is whether the FFC has adopted logical and fair measures while designing the allocations — which it indeed has done.

Schemes for development of sports

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that the details of the existing schemes of the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for the development of sports in the country are as follows: (i)                “Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan” (RGKA), a centrally sponsored scheme introduced in 2014-15 in place of erstwhile Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan, aims at construction of Integrated Sports Complexes in all block panchayats of the country in a phased manner and providing access to organized sports competitions at block, district, state and national levels. (ii)             Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme, introduced in 2010-11, envisages development of playfields by the State Governments through Playfield Associations, coach development programme through Central and State Governments, creation of infrastructure including laying of artificial turfs for hockey, football and athletics, and construction of multi-purpose hall. Under the Scheme, State Governments, local civic bodies, schools, colleges, universities and sports control boards are eligible for assistance. (iii)           Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) for conduct of National Championships at Senior, Junior, Sub-Junior level for men and women, conduct of international tournaments in India, participation of sportspersons in international sports competitions, organizing coaching camps, engagement of foreign coaches, and  procurement of sports equipments.  (iv)           National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for various activities including giving assistance to elite athletes, who are medal prospects for their customized and tailor-made training and competition exposure. (v)             Scheme of Human Resource Development in Sports focusses on developing human resources in sports sciences and sports medicine for the overall development of sports and games in the country. The scheme also provides assistance to coaches and referees / judges to upgrade  knowledge / accreditation level and assistance for participation in and conduct of seminars in India, etc. (vi)           Scheme of Special Cash Awards for Winners of medals in international sports events and their coaches. (vii)        Scheme of Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons after they retire from active sports career with the objective of providing them financial security and incentivizing sporting achievements. (viii)      Scheme of National Sports Awards, viz, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards, Dhyanchand Awards for honouring them for their achievements and contributions as sportspersons and coaches. (ix)           National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons for providing lump sum financial assistance to sportspersons now living in indigent conditions for their medical treatment etc. (x)             Scheme of Sports & Games for Persons with Disabilities for broad-basing of sports among differently-abled sportspersons by way  of conduct of training for community coaches, conduct of sports competitions and providing assistance to schools/institutes having differently-abled sportspersons on their rolls for procurement of sports equipments and engagement of coaches on contract basis. Details of the schemes of Sports Authority of India (SAI) for development of sports in the country are as under: (i) National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC): The main objective of the scheme is to identify gifted and talented sportspersons among school children in the age group of 8-14 years. (ii) Army Boys Sports Companies (ABSC) is implemented in collaboration with the   Army.  Children in the age group of 8-16 years are imparted scientific training to achieve excellence at national and international levels.  The scheme also provides job opportunities in the Indian Army.  Similar arrangements are proposed to be made in Central Para-military forces. (iii) Special Area Games (SAG): This Scheme follows an area-specific approach to scout and nurture talent for modern competitive games and sports from tribal, rural, coastal and hilly areas of the country.  The main objective of the scheme is to train talented and meritorious sportspersons in the age group of 12-18 years. (iv) SAI Training Centres (STC): Under this scheme, talented youth in the age group of 12-18  years are given the option to join the scheme on residential or non-residential basis.  (v) Centres of Excellence (COE): The main objective of this scheme is to identify and train outstanding sportspersons who are medal prospects for the country in international competitions.