30 May 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

E. Editorials

Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. An overview of the AMRUT scheme

Syllabus: GS-1, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies

Mains: Critical analysis of the AMRUT scheme

Introduction:

• The NDA-1 government launched the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) in June 2015.
• AMRUT aimed to address water, mobility, and pollution challenges with financial assistance from the Centre, States, and cities.
• It covered 500 cities and towns with populations over one lakh with notified municipalities.
• Key objectives included:
  • Ensuring every household has access to a tap with an assured water supply and a sewerage connection.
  • Increasing the value of cities by developing greenery and well-maintained open spaces such as parks.
  • Reducing pollution by promoting public transport and non-motorised transport.

Financial Outlay:

• The initial outlay for AMRUT was ₹50,000 crore for five years (FY 2015-16 to FY 2019-20).
• AMRUT 2.0, launched on October 1, 2021, aimed to make cities ‘water secure’ with a total outlay of ₹2,99,000 crore.
• The central outlay for AMRUT 2.0 was ₹76,760 crores over five years, with the remaining funds to be mobilised by States and cities.

Progress So Far:

• As of May 19, 2024, ₹83,357 crore has been dispersed.
• Achievements include:
  • 58,66,237 tap connections provided.
  • 37,49,467 sewerage connections established.
  • Development of 2,411 parks.
  • Replacement of 62,78,571 LED lights.
• These works reflect contributions from States and cities.

Challenges and Shortcomings:

• Significant issues remain in water, sanitation, and hygiene, with an estimated 2,00,000 annual deaths due to inadequacies.
• The disease burden from unsafe water and sanitation in India remains significantly high.
• Water scarcity is a major concern, with 21 major cities facing the risk of running out of groundwater.
• According to NITI Aayog, 40% of India’s population will lack access to drinking water by 2030.
• Urban households face deficiencies:
  • 31% lack piped water.
  • 67.3% are not connected to a piped sewerage system.
  • The average water supply is 69.25 litres/day per person, against the required 135 litres.

Criticisms and Recommendations:

• The scheme adopted a project-oriented approach instead of a holistic one.
• Lack of participation from cities and local elected representatives, violating the 74th constitutional amendment.
• Governance dominated by bureaucrats, private interests, and large technology-based companies.
• Urban planning has been overshadowed by real estate development, leading to the disappearance of water bodies and lakes.
• Need for nature-based solutions, comprehensive methodologies, people-centric approaches, and empowerment of local bodies.

Nut Graf: The AMRUT scheme aimed to improve urban infrastructure, focusing on water supply, sewerage, and pollution reduction. Despite substantial financial investment and progress, significant challenges remain due to a project-oriented approach and a lack of local participation and holistic planning.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the I-STEM initiative:

1. It aims to provide access to publicly funded research facilities through a web portal.
2. It includes a centralized model of subscription to scientific journals known as One Nation One Subscription (ONOS).
3. The initiative is part of India’s strategy to improve the ease of doing science.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q2. Consider the following statements about the AMRUT scheme:

1. It was launched in 2015 to address urban infrastructure challenges in India.
2. The scheme primarily focuses on providing water tap connections and managing sewage.
3. AMRUT 2.0 aims to achieve 100% sewage management in 500 cities.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q3. With reference to a new viral infection detection method, consider the 
following statements:

1. It takes approximately 40 hours to detect virus-infected cells.
2. The equipment cost for this new method is significantly higher than traditional methods.

How many of the above statements are incorrect?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q4. Which of the following criteria are used by the IMD to declare the onset 
of the southwest monsoon over Kerala?

1. Rainfall over 14 stations in Kerala should record over 2.5 mm for two consecutive days.
2. The Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) should be below 200 wm-2.
3. The sea surface temperature should be above 28°C.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, and 3

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding India’s urban population:

1. Around 36% of India’s population lives in cities.
2. By 2047, more than 50% of India’s population is expected to be urban.
3. The World Bank estimates that $840 billion is required to fund urban infrastructure over the next 15 years.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None