Sunday, May 24, 2009

Kerala - leading in the implementation of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY)?

As part of Promise# 4 of Congress, the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to provide health insurance to all families below poverty line will be implemented in 3 years (22 May 2012).

28 states and 7 Union territories of India need to Implement and achieve this scheme. Hence a total of 625 districts need to be covered by the scheme. Although it would be interesting to track the implementation of the project through out the country, many states are yet to get the data updated in the RSBY website. There is no related data available for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andrha Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kasmir, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Orissa, Pondicherry, Sikkim, and Tripura. Either the scheme is yet to be implemented in these areas or have not yet reached the Post advertisement phase in which these documents need to be submitted to the Central government technical team. Hence, status of the scheme in 16 of the 35 entities is unclear.

Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujrat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarkhand and West Bengal. Of the 19 entities that have provided data, only one state (Kerala) has provided the tender document with details of the entire scheme.

Among the 19 entities that have provided data, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka are yet to issue any smart cards. The main problem seems to be that the scheme calls for 10 bed hospitals with surgical facility and qualified staff for enrolment, which unfortunately is not available.

The most successful implementation of the scheme seems to be in Kerala with the insurance company as United India Insurance Co. Ltd with the nodal agency as CHIAK. Based on provisional data provided on the website which due to its dynamic nature are not to be trusted J the following is the implementation status of the scheme. Kottayam seems to have achieved the impossible by accomplishing 113% (more smart cards than BPL families - data might be wrong due to its provisional and dynamic nature) success. The least successful is Thiruvananthapuaram with just 31% implementation.


District BPL families No of smart cards issued Percent Completion
Alappuzha 119192 106512 89.36170213
Palakkad 143592 64288 44.77129645
Thrissur 93160 72530 77.85530271
Ernakualam 79527 49401 62.11852578
Idukki 84176 39584 47.02528036
Kottayam 64168 72800 113.452188
Pathanamthitta 50310 43054 85.57742
Kollam 105393 69630 66.06700635
Thiruvananthapuaram 147408 46661 31.65431998
Malappuram 110539 79592 72.00354626
Kozhikode 87828 71777 81.72450699
Wayanad 51442 27643 53.73624665
Kannur 75386 56832 75.38800308
Kasaragod 54286 38165 70.30357735
1266407 838469 66.20849379
State Total 1266207 838469 66.21895156


The scheme is to be providing BPL families to make use of hospitals like Gokulam Medical College, Divya Prabha Eye Hospital in Thiruvananthapuaram.However, its yet to be seen how the scheme will be implemented further after the issue of the smart cards.

Congress Manifesto Promise # 13

The thirteenth promise from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 13 : Other promises which are very general in nature and not very clear:

1) Will pursue judicial reforms to ensure timely completion of the hearing and disposal of cases.What type of reforms?

2)A statutory National Heritage Sites Commission will be made fully operational. No specifics, too general.

3)Will bring school curricula of various communal and sectarian organizations — regardless of their affiliation —under the regulatory purview of an empowered national body. How the national body will perform the monitoring? What will be the functions of the regulatory body.

4)A “new deal” for SMEs(to small and medium enterprises) and for first-generation entrepreneurs by assuring them greater access to collateral-free credit, liberating them from the multiplicity of laws and forms, and freeing them from the clutches of inspectors. Whats the new ?

5)We will maintain the path of high growth with fiscal prudence and low inflation.To general.

6)Will ensure that the policies for attracting private investment for oil exploration will also be followed for other mineral resources, including coal and iron-ore.What type of measures? Who will be regulating the activities?

7)Regulations will be made to ensure good corporate governance, ethical business practices and accountability to all stakeholders. Hope this avoids Satyam part II.

8)We will continue to be sensitive to regional aspirations. How will the regional aspirations be adressed? What measures will be taken?

9)We will continue to pursue an independent, pro-India foreign policy. :)

The Promise # 13 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 9 targets.

Congress Manifesto Promise # 12

The twelfth promise from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 12 : We will ensure Infrastructure Building by doing the following:

1) The modernization and expansion of our science and technology institutions and will ensure that they attract and retain the best talent from India and abroad.What modernization activities will be done?

2)The country adds at least 12,000-15,000 mw of capacity every year through a mix of sources—coal, hydel, nuclear and renewables. But is this enough to meet the growing need?

3)Rural electrification and reduction in distribution losses will be given the highest priority. No quantification mentioned?

4)Increase in the share of nuclear power, both through domestic and imported technology which has now been made possible by the civil nuclear agreements. No quantification mentioned?

5)Will implement a scheme to supply energy to poor families at affordable prices.At wat prices?

6)Will implement a scheme to supply energy to poor families at affordable prices.At wat prices?

7)Four new universities will be established with 50% of the seats reserved for PIO/NRI students. Where and by when?


The Promise # 12 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 7 targets.

Congress Manifesto Promise # 11

The eleventh promise from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 11 : We will ensure Bio diversity conservation & environmental protection(We will protect India’s natural environment and take steps to rejuvenate it) by doing the following:

1) Strengthen people’s movements whose objective will be to protect and preserve our bio-resources and ensure their sustainable use. How these will be implemented?

2)National Action Plan for Climate Change will be implemented in letter and spirit. What percentage of the seats will be reserved?

3)The Ganga River Basin Authority will be accorded the highest priority. How?

The Promise # 11 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 3 targets.

Congress Manifesto Promise # 10

The tenth from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 10 : We will ensure Youth empowerment by doing the following:

1) A voluntary national youth corps which would enable young men and women in the age group of 18-23 to serve up to two years in constructive nation-building activities for which they will be suitably compensated. Who is elligible? Wats the compensation? wat nation building activities?

2)Will reserve a proportion of seats in panchayats and nagarpalikas for men and women below the age of 35 years without detriment to the existing reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs and women. What percentage of the seats will be reserved?

3)Extensive skill development programme to improve employability of the youth. What skills?

The Promise # 10 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 3 targets.

Congress Manifesto Promise # 9

The ninth promise from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 9 : We will ensure Urban Development by doing the following:

1) A new model of urban administration with financially-viable self-government institutions as the pivot. What are features of this new model?

The Promise # 9 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 1 target(s).

Congress Manifesto Promise #8

The eigth from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 8 : We will ensure Child Welfare by doing the following:

1) The universalization of the ICDS(Integrated Child Development Services Scheme) by March 2012 and to provide an anganwadi in every habitation and full coverage of children up to the age of six for food, nutrition and pre-school education. Good Idea

2)The special requirements of children of migrant workers in towns and cities will be met through new programmes in association with civil society organizations. Hope this can be achieved by coordinating with various NGO's.

3)Introduce special incentives for the girl child to correct the adverse sex ratio and to ensure education of girl children. Girl children in districts that have an adverse sex ratio and/or low enrollment of girls, monetary incentives will be given to the girl child to be credited to the girl child’s account on her completing primary school, middle school, secondary school and higher secondary school. How much will be the compensation? Which districts have been identified?

The Promise # 8 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 3 targets.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Congress Manifesto Promise # 7

The seventh promise from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 5 : We will ensure Minority upliftment by doing the following:

1) A national Unani university will be set up. By which date?

2)The corpus of the Maulana Azad Education Foundation will be doubled. The corpus has helped the educationally backward minority communities by providing grant-in-aid to NGOs for construction of school, hostel building etc. and by granting scholarship to girl students belonging to minority communities. So the corpus which was Rs.250 crores till 2007-08 is expected to double.

3)A wakf development Corporation will be established to develop wakf properties. What will be the role of the community in this?

4)Reservation for minorites at national level.Where?

5)Will pass the womans reservation bill ensuring 33% reservation for woman. Ya :)u will

6)Reserve one third of all government jobs for woman. By when?

7)Preferential policies will be used in government contracts for SC/ST's and women. What will be reservation percentage? what about OBC's?

8)Socials security schemes for weavers,fisherman,toddy tappers,leather workers,plantation labour, construction labour,mine workers and beedi workers. By When?

The Promise # 7 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 8 targets.

Congress Manifesto Promise #6

The sixth promise from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 6: We will ensure Rural Development by doing the following:

1) Will connect all villages to a broadband network in three years time(22 May 2012). Whats the use of internet with electricity? I guess electricity is a given as well.

2)We will introduce the goods and services tax from April 1, 2010. Will have to see the debate this generates at state levels.

3)Democratize and professionalize the functioning of cooperatives. Which all cooperatives are included in it?

4)State finances, and more importantly the finances of panchayats and nagarpalikas, will be put on a sound foundation. Have to watch how many projects the states put on hold due to lack of finances.

The Promise # 6 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 4 targets.

Congress mainfesto Promise # 5

The fifth promise from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 5 : We will ensure Farmer improvement by doing the following:

1) Every small and marginal farmer will have access to bank credit at lower rates of interest. At wat intrest rates indian farmers will be given loans?What about Collaterals? Hope this will free the Indian farmer from the clutches of the moneylenders.

2)Programmes for agricultural diversification, processing and rural industrialization. The wastage of produce can be stopped by the eimplemtation of this scheme.

3)Dairying, aquaculture, fisheries, horticulture and sericulture will receive an additional boost. Sectors other n agriculture can help uplift the farmer.

4)Special needs of crops like tea, coffe,rubber, spices, cashew, and coconut will be met. Kerala farmer online has summarised few of the steps for rubber farmers. Putting it here for refrence
"
1. An availability of a technical grading system.
2. Error free statistical data have to be published.
3. Avoid the support of unwanted export and import vice versa.
4. Organic farming of rubber have to be supported.
5. Proper research on the input of secondary nutrients &trace elements to ensure better productivity.
6. Active participation of scientists and lab facilities to the fields to maintain sustainable practices.
7. Argent need of visual grading system is an important remedy for price stability.
8. Seminars to be conducted with joint participation of Manufacturers, Dealers, Farmers & workforce under Rubber Board.
9. Ensure the selling grade of rubber by farmers and purchase by manufacturers are the same.
etc."

5)Wasteland development and afforestation. How much of the wasteland will be developed? Wat measure will be taken for afforestation.

6)Comprehensive crop insurance and direct income support to farmers in the ecologically vulenrable regions of the country. Which regions have been classified as ecologically vulnerable?

7)Controls on the free movement of farm commodities and processing of agricultural products and regualtions that depress incomes of farmers will be eliminated. Yes, the farmer should have the freedom and flexibilty to market his produce.

8)National Rehabilitation and Resettlement bill will be passed to ensure proper compensation for farmers who loose their land due to land aquired by the government. Hope this avoids more Singur's


The Promise # 5 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 8 targets.

Congress Manifesto Promise # 4

The fourth promise from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 4 : We will ensure Health security for all by doing the following:

1) Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana(RSBY) to provide health insurance to all families below poverty line in 3 years(22 May 2012). Is the premium affordable? how much and what is the benefits. Have to analyse in depth.

2)Every district headquarters hospital will be upgraded to provide quality health facilities to all. What all is included in quality health facilities? Have to see wat changes occur on the ground.

The Promise # 4 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 2 targets.

Congress manifesto Promise # 3

The third promise from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 3 : We will build quality education affordable to all by doing the following:

1) Granting all students admitted to any recognized course in any college/university with either a scholarship or an educational loan without collateral repayable over a very long period on a need basis. The date by which this will be implemented is not clear, lets expect this to be done soon.

2) Every year over next 5 years, we will add one more model school in every block. Will have to see if the promise is implemented by year end(22nd May 2010).

3) Major Pro gramme for training teachers and improving the physical environment of schools.Will this be done, have to see the change in the schools.

4) 8 new IIT's, 7 new IIM's, 5 new IISc's, 30 new central universities, 20 new IIIT and 374 new colleges.While new institutes are being created, will the quality be maintained? who will ensure the quality?

5) Education at all stages- primary,secondary and university levels will be free in all resects for boys and girls belonging to dalit and adivasi communities.Its indeed a very ambitious and commendable effort to improve education levels for all.

6) Coaching fees for all entrance exams for atleast one lakh sc/st students every year will be paid by the central govt.Have to see which exams will be covered under this, how it will be decided who gets the coaching fees?

The Promise # 3 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 6 targets.

Congress manifesto Promise # 2

The second from the manifesto is given below : Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope

Promise # 2 : We will build on the sucess of NREGA and take the scheme forward by doing the following:

1) At least 100 days work at Rs 100 a day for everyone under the NREGA. The Payment for work done 2 years back is still pending in few villages as per various investigations. Thats just the beginning of the problems.Flight of labour, underpaid labourers and more are a common sight in UP itself.

2) National Food Security Act - 25 kgs of rics or wheat at rs 3 per kg. Will have to see if the rice or wheat is available, especailly since we seem to have excess of wheat this year.

3) Subsidised community kitchens in all cities for homeless and migrants.Will this be possible? how does the government plan to implement this?
The Promise # 2 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 3 targets.