Editorial 1: Cash transfer schemes for women as new poll plank
Context
While the optics are about ‘party benevolence’, in reality, the state seems to be nudging the poor to fend for themselves
Introduction
In the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections, there was a pattern that was followed — having a cash transfer scheme for women that is at the centre of political campaigning. Beginning in August, the National Democratic Alliance government in Maharashtra came up with the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’, wherein women who met the criterion would receive ₹1,500 a month in their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. The Opposition-ruled State of Jharkhand also had the ‘Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana’, in August, which offered financial assistance of ₹1,000 to eligible women.
- Direct cash transfer schemes are no political novelty.
- According to Axis Bank, 14 States already have such schemes in place, covering almost a fifth of India’s adult female population.
- So, why is it that across States, cash transfer schemes for women are growing in popularity?
- Is this policy learning or are State governments experiencing a fear of missing out? Are we getting to a point where there is no alternative vision about welfare?
- There could be four plausible reasons for political parties across States following this particular genre of welfare.
More women in the public-political space
- Rise in Women’s presence in political space: The steady rise in the presence of women in India’s public-political space is pushing parties to cater to their needs.
- Increase in voter turnout: From a mere 47% turnout of women in 1962, the figure is now 66% in 2024.
- This trend is the same in State Assembly elections.
- Independent voting and women’s constituency: Along with the increase in turnout, women are increasingly casting their votes independently.
- This reinforces the narrative of a ‘women constituency’.
- Impact of Women’s Reservation Bill: The hurried manner in which Parliament passed the women’s reservation Bill.
- The renewed focus on ‘Nari Shakti’ are testimony to the rising pressure on political parties to acknowledge the change.
- Importance of women voters in close elections: In the context of a close election, a swing in votes could mean winning or losing a seat.
- Consequences of disregarding female voters: The cost of disregarding the female voter would mean paying a very high price
Bypassing the middleman
- Direct benefit transfer (DBT) as the flavour of the day: Direct cash transfers to bank accounts have their advantages from the point of view of the state.
- It helps the state bypass existing structures of middlemen who pose a hurdle in making these benefits available.
- Reducing systemic corruption: Systemic corruption of this kind is ubiquitous in the Indian setting, and the state lacks the capacity to keep it in check.
- With the advent of DBT, States can now transfer money directly to the beneficiary’s account and reduce leakage through the system
- Establishing direct relationship between leader and citizen: With parties becoming more individual-centric, DBT helps establish a direct relationship between the individual leader and the citizen.
- Yamini Aiyar and Neelanjan Sircar call this “techno-patrimonial,” whereby technology aids in advancing personal loyalty to the leader.
- Cash transfers as an easy political narrative: Cash transfers are an easy way to establish the narrative that the government in power is serious about its commitment to the electorate.
- Improving the functioning of State-run schools or hospitals or building new public infrastructure cannot happen overnight. Such projects require meticulous planning, investment, and a long gestation period before they can bear any fruit
- Appeal to the poor and populist schemes: Given the fact that the poor in India form a significant constituency and that the gains of economic growth are disproportionately divided, populist schemes of this nature are valued by a substantial number of voters.
- Regular credit to the beneficiary’s account also acts as a constant reminder of the ‘benevolence’ of the leader, further advancing the party’s position.
The core issue
- Flattening of welfare in India: A flattening of welfare, with States across the country coming up with similar kinds of schemes, indicates a deficiency of imagination vis-à-vis welfare in India.
- One could euphemistically call this “policy learning,” but the fact that even States ruled by Opposition parties are not offering alternatives to this welfare strategy of DBT is worrying
- Problems with DBT as a quick solution: Though schemes of this kind might look to be a quick and effective solution to the poverty crisis, DBT comes with its own set of problems.
- Scholars have pointed out that the Indian state, by prioritising ‘efficiency’ using technology, is shielding itself from doing the hard work to improve state capacity.
- Shifting responsibility to private alternatives: By making cash available in the hands of the poor, the state is nudging its citizens to make use of private alternatives for their basic needs.
- While the rich in India have already exited this system and are relying on the private sector for their needs, the poor are also being nudged by the state to fend for themselves.
Conclusion
Cash transfers, at best, act as bandages, but the state still needs to treat the larger wounds before they become infectious — if they have not already become one. In the days ahead, yojanas such as ‘Ladki Bahin’ and ‘Maiyan Samman’ will occupy centrestage. So, is this the new rule of the game? Or will there be a break to this pattern? The answers will determine the future welfare landscape. Cash transfer schemes may offer immediate relief, but without addressing systemic issues, they cannot provide a sustainable welfare solution.
Context
Economic costs of ban on plastic must be seen with its ill-effects on health.
Introduction
The Global Plastics Treaty, an ambitious effort led by the United Nations Environment Programme, aimed to phase out plastic pollution worldwide. However, despite extensive negotiations, the initiative has faltered. The treaty’s failure highlights a significant divide between nations, with developed countries pushing for production cuts, while large developing economies resist. As the world grapples with the environmental impacts of plastic, the treaty's future remains uncertain, requiring creative solutions and collaboration.
Failure of the global plastics treaty
- Despite a week of wrangling: An ambitious endeavour piloted by the United Nations Environment Programmeto phase out plastic turned out to be a failure.
- The Global Plastics Treaty: The result of a resolution by member-countries of the United Nations, passed in 2022, to ‘end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.’
- Next two years: Over the next two years, countries met five times, including the latest (billed as the final one), to create a broad framework agreement.
History of the global plastics treaty
- UN resolution of 2022: The UN resolution of 2022 was deemed historic as it gave the impression that the world was unanimous that plastic pollution could only be addressed through globally coordinated action.
- Divisive Solution: However, it is the solution to the problem that has proven to be divisive.
Split views on plastic pollution
- Countries’ divided stance: Of the nearly 170 countries gathered at the fifth round of meetings in Busan, roughly half —
- led by the European Union and supported by Pacific island-nations —
- were of the view that despite the usefulness of plastic and its significant role in enabling mass consumption through the modern era, its relative indestructibility was now an environmental hazard.
- Environmental Hazard: It had begun to seep into the bodies of animals, both of the land and sea, and had progressed to be much more than an eyesore in the form of litter flowing out of overwhelmed municipal recycling systems.
Recycling and re-use vs. production cuts
- Unrealistic Recycling Claims: The claim that better recycling and re-use will redeem the situation, these nations believe, is a pipe dream.
- Imposing Gradual Cuts: Therefore, imposing gradual cuts on the source of plastic, virgin polymer, was the only effective route to ending plastic pollution.
Opposition to production cuts
- Large Developing Countries’ Stance: However, many of the large developing countries, and those with economies premised on the extraction of oil and petrochemical refining, baulk at such a proposal.
- Trade Barriers: They view calls to cut plastic production as trade barriers masquerading as environmentalism.
- Framing the Problem: They view the framing of the plastic pollution problem as one that requires regulating production as something that goes beyond the intent of the 2022 resolution.
Future prospects of global plastics treaty
- Stalled Talks: While talks have stalled, it is likely that countries will reconvene next year — possibly with a fresh perspective — and get beyond the impasse more creatively.
India’s position on plastic pollution
- India’s Alignment: India has chosen to side with the countries that are averse to production cuts.
- India’s Recycling Capacity: Yet, it must acknowledge that its capacity to recycle plastic is only about a third of the plastic that is annually introduced.
- Economic Dependence: The indispensability of plastic to the economy cannot be a permanent excuse to delay action on evaluating its health impacts on people in India, its ecology and marine environment.
- Planned Exit: A planned exit is always better than finding oneself on the wrong side of history.
Conclusion
The failure of the Global Plastics Treaty underscores the deep divides in addressing plastic pollution. While some nations advocate for production cuts, others, particularly large developing countries, resist such measures. India's position aligns with the latter, but the need to confront plastic’s environmental and health impacts is undeniable. A balanced, planned approach to reducing plastic reliance and enhancing recycling capacity is crucial, as continued delay risks damaging both the environment and public health in the long term.