Dec 07 2024

Understanding the interplay of public health crises, surveillance, and governance is vital for tackling modern challenges. The 1896 Bombay Plague illustrates how tools like mapping, policing, and control informed public health strategies, offering valuable lessons for today. 

The Impact of the Bombay Plague on Colonial India

The 1896–97 Bombay Plague was a catastrophic event in colonial India, originating in Bombay through trade routes with the Far East. 

  • The epidemic rapidly spread throughout the Bombay Presidency and neighboring regions, eventually claiming over 370,000 lives by 1899. 
  • The crisis highlighted severe weaknesses in the public health infrastructure of colonial India. 

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Response and Approaches of Colonial Government

The colonial government established the Indian Plague Commission in 1898, chaired by T.R. Fraser, to investigate the epidemic. The Commission conducted extensive research and produced a detailed report. 

  1. Emphasis on Control Rather Than Public Health: The Indian Plague Commission’s response emphasized control over public health. 
    • Unlike John Snow’s 1854 cholera map focused on disease spread, their maps highlighted railway lines, quarantine zones, and police cordons to monitor mobility and enforce control. 
    • For example, the Railway Plague Inspection Stations Map and Chausa Observation Camp Plan prioritized surveillance and policing. 
    • This reflects colonial priorities that treated the plague as a security issue rather than a public health crisis requiring community-based solutions.
  2.  Policing and the Management of the Plague: Policing was central to managing the plague, with officers enforcing quarantines, monitoring movements, and collecting data. 
    • Observation camps at railway stations were manned by police, while military ward orderlies supported hospitals and municipalities. 
    • Police stations became data hubs, with local watchmen (chaukidars) reporting deaths to authorities, reinforcing the role of law enforcement in epidemic control.

Note: The 22nd Law Commission of India, in its comprehensive review of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, observed that the “unbridled and incongruous powers of the State” under colonial rule led to misuse of power instead of effective disease control. Modern times have seen a shift toward medical professionals assuming surveillance roles, reflecting evolving public health strategies and ethical considerations regarding the appropriate functions of police versus medical personnel. 

Broader Implications for Modern Health Surveillance and Policy

The historical use of surveillance and policing during the Bombay Plague offers valuable insights into modern public health policy and the evolution of surveillance systems.

  • Evolution of Surveillance: The shift from police to health professionals in epidemic monitoring reflects improved ethical standards and patient care. Today, surveillance prioritizes health expertise over enforcement.
  • Framing Health Problems: Historical focus on control highlights the need for modern policies to center individual and community well-being. Health interventions should prioritize care and rights.
  • Ethical Considerations: Colonial control methods raise ethical questions. Contemporary policies must balance effective surveillance with protecting individual freedoms and minimizing inequities.
  • Power Dynamics in Health Data: The misuse of data for control during the Bombay Plague underscores the importance of equitable, transparent health data usage to avoid perpetuating inequalities.
  • Continuities and Changes: Historical reliance on surveillance and control persists in modern health governance, though improved technologies now focus on transparency and inclusivity in health monitoring and population data collection.

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Conclusion

Today, it is essential to develop public health policies that respect individual rights, promote transparency, and foster trust between governments and communities. Learning from the past, we can create systems that are not only effective but also equitable, ensuring that the health needs of all people are met without reinforcing harmful power dynamics.

India’s expanding mining industry, driven by economic growth, is vital for extracting minerals like silica. However, prolonged worker exposure to silica dust poses severe health risks, including silicosis.

Silica, found in sand and stone and is crucial for construction projects.

What is Silicosis?

  • Silicosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica particles. 
  • These particles lodge in the lung tissue and impair normal lung function. 
  • Silicosis is a severe and irreversible condition that can develop over time, regardless of age, based on the level and duration of exposure.
  • The disease is especially dangerous for mine workers, with millions at risk. 

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Prevalence of Silicosis in India

  • In 1999, the Indian Council of Medical Research reported that over eight million people were at high risk of silica dust exposure. 
    • This number is expected to have grown over the years, as India has opened new mines and expanded existing ones.
  • The expansion of the mining industry, driven by increased demand for construction materials, continues to expose workers to high levels of silica dust.

Steps taken

  • NGT’s Intervention: On November 29, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Central Pollution Control Board to draft new guidelines for granting permissions for silica mining and washing plants. 
    • In addition, the Uttar Pradesh government was ordered to establish health-care facilities in areas where silica mining is prevalent.
    • While these actions are a step in the right direction, immediate and effective interventions are needed.          
  • Legal framework: The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020 requires mine operators to notify workers about the risks of bodily harm, including the risk of silicosis. 
    • It also mandates that operators provide annual health check-ups to detect diseases like silicosis.

Challenges in Tacking Silicosis

  • Inadequate Reporting and Diagnosis: Despite the legal requirement for operators to notify silicosis cases, they often fail to do so.
    • In some cases, healthcare providers misdiagnose silicosis as tuberculosis, preventing early intervention.
    • The mandatory annual health check-ups have also failed to detect many cases of silicosis, leaving workers undiagnosed and untreated.
    • The NGT has noted that concerned authorities are not adequately enforcing the law, which remains a significant barrier to protecting mine workers.
  • State Passivity: The lack of enforcement of existing laws is the primary obstacle to improving the health and safety of mine workers. 
    • Despite guidelines and legal frameworks in place, the government’s failure to act proactively has left workers vulnerable.
  • Socioeconomic Conditions in Mining States: India’s mining resources are concentrated in “resource frontier” states, which often have low literacy rates, poor healthcare coverage, and a disorganized labor force. 
    • These states depend on mining for revenue, making it difficult for workers to demand better conditions or seek legal or medical help. 
    • Consequently, workers often tolerate unsafe working conditions, delaying medical intervention until the damage is irreparable.

Way Forward

  • Awareness Campaigns: Increase awareness among mine workers about the risks of silica exposure and the importance of early detection of silicosis.
  • Regular Health Checkups: Ensure consistent, mandatory health checkups for mine workers to detect silicosis early and prevent further damage.
  • Specialized Hospitals: Establish dedicated healthcare facilities and specialized hospitals in mining regions to provide effective treatment and support.
  • Training Medical Practitioners: Train healthcare providers to accurately diagnose silicosis and differentiate it from other respiratory diseases like tuberculosis.
  • Strict Enforcement of Laws: Strengthen the enforcement of existing regulations, ensuring that mine operators report silicosis cases and provide workers with necessary protections, including proper ventilation and protective gear.
  • Data Collection and Monitoring: Implement a robust system for tracking and reporting silicosis cases, ensuring that both the central and state governments have up-to-date information on worker health.

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India must reconcile its climate justice stance with actions to protect workers in hazardous industries. Failing to safeguard its citizens’ health undermines its credibility and long-term development goals, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement and worker welfare policies.

Conclusion

A comprehensive approach, including increased awareness, improved healthcare, strict enforcement of regulations, and better working conditions, is crucial to protect mine workers from silicosis. Only through coordinated action can India address this growing public health challenge effectively.

Mains Question:

Q. With silicosis posing a significant health risk to Indian mine workers, critically analyse the effectiveness of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 in addressing this issue. Suggest measures to improve its implementation. (15 M, 250 words) 

India is on a transformative journey to establish itself as a global manufacturing hub, driven by strategic policy initiatives such as the PLI scheme which is laying the groundwork for India’s manufacturing resurgence.  

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme

  • The PLI Scheme is a government of India program that provides incentives to companies for increased sales of products made in domestic units. 
    • The scheme aims to boost manufacturing, reduce imports, and improve India’s global competitiveness.
  • This scheme has significantly reshaped the manufacturing landscape across key sectors, including mobile manufacturing, electronics, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and textiles. 

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Why is Revival of India’s manufacturing essential? 

  • Boost Economic Growth: Manufacturing contributes significantly to GDP and has the potential to elevate its share from 17% to 25% by 2030-31.
  • Create Jobs: The sector can absorb a large workforce, particularly in labor-intensive industries and MSMEs, addressing unemployment challenges.
  • Reduce Import Dependency: Strengthening domestic manufacturing reduces vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions and trade imbalances.
  • Promote Inclusive Growth: Reviving manufacturing can drive equitable regional development and increase women’s workforce participation.
  • Enhance Global Competitiveness: A robust manufacturing base positions India as a key player in global value chains.

Achievements of the PLI Scheme

The Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for 2022-23 provides compelling evidence of the PLI scheme’s impact. Key findings include:

  • Robust Manufacturing Growth: Manufacturing output grew at an impressive 21.5%, while the gross value added (GVA) increased by 7.3%.
  • Sectoral Contributions: Industries such as basic metal manufacturing, coke and refined petroleum products, food products, chemicals, and motor vehicles contributed 58% of India’s total manufacturing output. 
    • Collectively, these sectors, many under the PLI scheme, grew at an impressive rate of 24.5%.

These outcomes indicate a strong recovery in the manufacturing sector, marking a steady return to pre-pandemic growth levels.

Challenges in the Manufacturing Sector

  • Cumbersome Licensing Processes: Lengthy and bureaucratic procedures for obtaining licenses create delays and discourage investments.
  • Ineffective Contract Implementation: Weak enforcement of contracts undermines investor confidence and hampers growth.
  • Slow Overall Growth: Despite potential, the sector’s expansion remains sluggish due to structural and operational inefficiencies.
  • Gap Between Output and GVA Growth: The significant gap between manufacturing output growth (21.5%) and GVA growth (7.3%) in 2022-23 highlights a critical issue: soaring input costs, which increased by 24.4%. 
    • While production volumes are rising, industries are grappling with reduced profitability due to high raw material expenses(input costs).

Way Forward

  • Restructuring the Tariff System: Restructuring the import tariff system for raw materials, intermediates, and final goods can help maintain competitiveness and better integrate Indian manufacturing into global value chains.
  • Expanding the PLI Scheme: To maximize its impact, the PLI scheme should be extended beyond traditional industries to include:
    • Labor-Intensive Sectors: Apparel, leather, footwear, and furniture.
    • Sunrise Industries: Aerospace, space technology, and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO).
    • High Import-Dependency Sectors: Capital goods with untapped domestic potential.
  • Fostering Research and Development: Incentivizing research and development in green manufacturing and advanced technologies can improve sustainability and competitiveness. This would position India as a leader in environmentally responsible production.
  • Reducing Imports to Decrease Vulnerability: Reducing reliance on imports, especially in critical sectors, will mitigate vulnerabilities from global supply chain disruptions and trade imbalances.
  • Boosting MSMEs: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contribute 45% of manufacturing GDP and employ around 60 million people. 
    • Tailoring PLI incentives for MSMEs by lowering capital investment thresholds and easing production targets would:
      • Enable MSMEs to scale operations.
      • Foster innovation.
      • Integrate them effectively into larger value chains and enhance international connectivity.
  • Enhancing Women’s Workforce Participation: Increasing female workforce participation can boost manufacturing output, with the World Bank estimating a 9% growth for India. 
    • To achieve this, industries should develop infrastructure like hostels, dormitories, and childcare near factories and adopt supportive policies, as demonstrated by Apple’s efforts to empower women in its Indian units.
  • Addressing Regional Imbalances: The concentration of manufacturing activity in a few states. 
    • Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh account for over 54% of total manufacturing GVA and 55% of employment. 
    • This regional imbalance hampers equitable development. To address this:
      • State-Level Reforms: Streamline land, labor, and power markets to attract investments.
      • Infrastructure: Enhance connectivity and logistics in underserved regions to boost industrial growth.
      • Active Role of States: Foster balanced and inclusive manufacturing ecosystems through proactive state participation.
  • Ease of Doing Business: Streamline regulations to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, making it easier for businesses to operate and expand.
    • Simplify tax regimes, improve logistics, and provide affordable energy to reduce the overall cost of doing business.
  • Policy Continuity: Maintain and expand the PLI scheme, addressing emerging challenges to ensure continued support for the manufacturing sector’s growth.

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Conclusion

For India to transform into a developed economy by 2047, the manufacturing sector must play a pivotal role. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) projects that the manufacturing sector’s share in GVA could rise from 17% currently to over 25% by 2030-31 and 27% by 2047-48 with sustained efforts.

Mains Question:

Q. Evaluate the impact of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme on India’s manufacturing sector. How can its scope be expanded to achieve inclusive growth? (15 M, 250 words)

The recent tragic fire at a hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, which claimed the lives of 11 newborn babies, is a chilling reminder of a systemic failure to ensure fire safety in India. 

Challenges Leading to Fire Safety Failures

  • Flawed Fire Safety Implementation: While fire safety measures are legally mandatory, regulations are often undermined by corruption in the process of obtaining fire no-objection certificates (NOCs).
  • Structural Issues: Improper planning, lack of preparedness, and flawed construction further exacerbate the problem. 
    • Many establishments fail to meet fire safety norms, creating conditions ripe for catastrophic incidents. 
    • Additionally, the infrastructure is often unsuitable for handling different types of fires, such as electrical, chemical, or others.
  • Shortage of Firefighters: Global standards recommend one firefighter for every 1,000 people. For India’s population of 1.4 billion, this translates to approximately 1.8 million firefighters. 
    • However, the country has only 300,000 firefighters, leaving a staggering shortfall of 1.5 million.
    • This gap is most severe in densely populated states such as UP, Bihar and Maharashtra. On average, each state lacks 14,382 firefighters.
  • Deficiency in Tools and Equipment: Fire trucks, a critical component of firefighting efforts, are also in woefully short supply. For example:
    • Uttar Pradesh: Needs an additional 4,155 fire trucks.
    • Bihar: Requires 2,775 more trucks.
    • Maharashtra: Needs 2,640 more trucks.
      On average, each state faces a shortfall of 707 trucks.

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The Way Forward

  • Hiring and Training Firefighters: Bridging the massive shortfall of 1.5 million firefighters is a priority. 
    • The government should undertake large-scale recruitment drives and establish training institutes to create a skilled and ready firefighting workforce.
  • Strengthening the Fire NOC Process: The process of securing fire no-objection certificates (NOCs) must be made more transparent and accountable.
  • Ensuring Timely Responses: Reducing response times is critical during emergencies. This can be achieved by:
    • Increasing the number of fire stations, particularly in underserved areas.
    • Upgrading and expanding the fleet of fire trucks with advanced equipment.
    • Developing region-specific fire safety plans, with urban and rural strategies tailored to the population density and risk factors.
  • Supporting Firefighters: Firefighters operate in physically demanding and high-stress environments. Their well-being is essential for efficient performance. Measures include:
    • Better Compensation: Provide competitive salaries and benefits.
    • Mental Health Support: Offer counseling and stress management programs.
    • Modern Facilities: Equip fire stations with amenities to support the physical and mental health of firefighters.  
  • Public Awareness and Education: A well-informed public can play a significant role in fire safety. Awareness programs should include:
    • Evacuation Drills: Regular drills in schools, hospitals, and public buildings.
    • Basic Fire Safety Training: Teach people how to handle small fires and use extinguishers.
    • Emergency Response Education: Spread knowledge about how to respond effectively in the event of a fire.
  • Prioritizing Fire Safety in Budget Allocations: State governments must treat fire safety as a key public welfare issue. This requires allocating more resources for capacity building and ensuring effective policy implementation.
  • Learning from Global Best Practices: India can take inspiration from the USA’s fire safety model, particularly the use of volunteer firefighters
    • In addition to professional firefighters, a network of trained volunteers can provide invaluable support, especially in rural and remote areas. 

Conclusion

In a country as large and populous as India, fire safety is not just a technical requirement but a moral imperative. The Jhansi hospital fire and similar tragedies serve as stark reminders that it is time for the nation to prioritize fire safety with the urgency it demands.

Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the major challenges in ensuring fire safety in public institutions in India, with a focus on hospitals. Suggest measures to address these issues. (10 M, 150 words)

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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