Sunday, July 19, 2015

News Summary : July 19

                                                         
1: Public Health : NPPA has expanded list of drugs under price control. DPCO 2013 had 348 drugs under price control. National list of essential medicines has 650 in the list. Other view of the arrangement is that it can lead to harming the industry. Smaller and mid side companies are opting out of production of medicines whose prices are controlled. In worrisome prospect India may have to import some medicines which are currenly produced within the country. This can lead to monopolisation of the segment and can hamper availability of the drugs.

2: Land Acquisition : Process should be participatory with satisfactory rehabilitation and compensation. This should be seen in light of proposed changes in 2013 act which wants to do away with Mandarin consent clauses and SIA ( Social Impact Assessment ) . Activists site Narmanda as unsettled issue in this context.

3: Economy : Post reform period had not created benefits on Job creation front. 11.8 million jobs were lost in the process.

4: Culture : Jagannath temple is 12th century temple which is famous for Annual Rath Yatra .

5: Science and Technology : India lacks legislation on space front to protect sovereign , commercial and public interests. There are 15000 objects in space and in future the numbers are set to increase. Space tourism will get popular in coming years. In past India did come up with Space communication policy of 2000 and remote sensing policy of 2011. There is international co-operation treaty in form of Outer space treaty of 1967. Legislation may involve registration , regulation , compensation , insurance , investor disputes , rescue of tourists, environmental damage , handling of intellectual property.

6: Tribal Issue : Problems and solutions are well known over the year. What has been lacking is political will and lack of implementation. Malnutrition issues and education should be taken on priority . Aanganwadis should work in this direction with renewed zeal. PESA and FRA have lacked on implementation front. PESA is important from social , economic and cultural protection . Programs like NREGA can help in creating social protection .

7: Women issues : Technology use should proceed with dismantling of gender barrier. Example can be taken of Mobile where women find difficulty. Women lack access to mobile phones and in addition end up depending on male members for using the same. Lower literacy level is proving to be additional barrier in using mobile phones.

Good Quote : “ Once you put in your best effort in a task , it will yield result on its own “

Expert comment : Role of NPPA has remained in news since long and will continue to find resistance from pharma lobby in coming times. Government should find ways to ensure that affordable medicines and medical care is able to reach people . With widespread Space technology use there should be comprehensive legislation to manage the scenario. It will involve co-operation at national and international front . Space topic is important for mains exam perspective , so any development on space front should be monitored closely. Women and Tribal form vulnerable sections of the Indian society . Associated problems and solutions should be part of comprehensive write up. Even though legislations have been passed , lacking implementation is proving to be big hurdle in quest towards inclusive growth in India.


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