Inauguration of the Sunken Museum

• Location: The museum is situated within the Humayun’s Tomb complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi.
• Design Inspiration: The museum’s layout is inspired by traditional 'baolis' or stepwells, reflecting medieval Indian water management structures.
• Exhibition Focus: It features exhibits that recreate the timeline of the 14th-century Nizamuddin Dargah complex, highlighting the historical and cultural significance of the area.

Humayun’s Tomb: Historical and Architectural Significance

• Construction: Built between 1569-70 by Bega Begum (also known as Hajji Begum), the tomb honors her late husband, Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor of India.
• Architect: The tomb was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyath.
• Restoration Efforts: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, undertook a significant restoration project in 2007 as part of an urban renewal initiative.
• Archaeological Context: Humayun’s Tomb is part of a significant archaeological site, centered around the Shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, a 14th-century Sufi Saint.
• Necropolis: The tomb complex also serves as a burial site for various Mughal family members, making it a prominent necropolis or "dormitory" of the Mughal dynasty.

Architectural Features

• Char Bagh Layout: The tomb is designed in the char bagh style, which features a four-part garden layout representing the four rivers of paradise in the Quran.
• Innovations: Humayun’s Tomb is renowned as the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent and is considered an architectural precursor to the Taj Mahal. The layout includes geometric pools and channels, symbolizing paradise and influencing later Mughal architecture.

Cultural and Historical Impact

• UNESCO World Heritage Status: The site is recognized for its historical importance and architectural beauty, reflecting Mughal architectural innovations and urban planning.
• Influence on Mughal Architecture: The design principles and aesthetics of Humayun’s Tomb had a significant influence on subsequent Mughal architecture, particularly the Taj Mahal.

Museum’s Role and Future Prospects

• Educational Value: The sunken museum offers a unique opportunity to educate visitors about the history and architecture of the Humayun’s Tomb complex and its surroundings.
• Preservation and Research: The museum contributes to the preservation of the site’s cultural heritage and provides a platform for ongoing research and public engagement.
• Tourism and Cultural Engagement: As a new addition to the Humayun’s Tomb complex, the museum is expected to enhance the site’s attractiveness to tourists and deepen the cultural appreciation of the Mughal heritage.

A recent case of vaccine-derived polio has been reported in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills, where a two-year-old child tested positive for polio. Despite this, India's polio-free status remains intact, as the case does not involve the wild poliovirus but a strain linked to the oral polio vaccine (OPV). Health officials are monitoring the situation closely to prevent any potential spread.

Vaccine-Derived Polio (VDPV):

• What is it?
• Vaccine-derived polio occurs when the weakened live virus used in the OPV reverts to a form that can cause paralysis, especially in children with compromised immune systems.
• OPV is safe and has been effective in eradicating polio worldwide. However, in rare cases, it can lead to infections, either by circulating among children and regaining virulence or by causing chronic infection in immunocompromised children.
• Current Case:
• The polio case in Meghalaya is believed to be caused by the virus replicating in the gut of an immunocompromised child. This strain gradually regained the ability to cause infection, though it is easier to control further spread because other children in the region are likely to have been vaccinated.

Polio Detection and India's Polio-Free Status:

• Polio-Free Declaration:
• India was declared polio-free in 2014 after the last case of wild poliovirus was reported in 2011 in West Bengal.
• The detection of vaccine-derived polio does not affect this status, as only the reappearance of the wild poliovirus would alter India’s polio-free classification.
• Past Cases:
• Other cases of vaccine-derived polio have been reported, such as one in Kerala in July 2024. However, these instances have not led to widespread outbreaks.

Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV):

• Preventive Tool:
• Unlike OPV, IPV does not contain a live virus, eliminating the risk of causing vaccine-derived polio. However, IPV comes with its own challenges:
• It requires trained healthcare workers for administration, potentially lowering immunization rates.
• IPV does not prevent the transmission of the virus, even if it protects against infection.
• Use in India:
• India uses both IPV and OPV. IPV is part of routine immunization, while OPV is administered during Pulse Polio Days.
• India administers only one dose of IPV compared to the three doses and a booster used in countries like the US and Canada. This necessitates continued OPV use to maintain adequate immunity levels.

Way Forward:

• Vigilance and Immunization:
• Health workers in the area where the case was detected will carry out additional vaccination drives as a preventive measure, even though children in the region may already be fully immunized.
• Ensuring high levels of vaccination, both with IPV and OPV, is critical to preventing further cases of vaccine-derived polio.

This case highlights the importance of maintaining strong immunization efforts and underscores the need for improved vaccine strategies to prevent such occurrences while ensuring India remains polio-free.

Growth Overview

India's seafood exports have experienced remarkable growth, increasing from Rs 46,662.85 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 61,043.68 crore in 2023-24, marking an impressive rise of 30.81%. This surge highlights India's growing position in the global seafood market.

Supporting Infrastructure and Initiatives

• Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA): This agency plays a crucial role in bolstering the seafood industry by:
• Enhancing infrastructure.
• Establishing testing labs.
• Providing technical assistance for aquaculture focused on export.

Policy Changes and Financial Incentives

• Reduced Import Duties: Recent budgetary reforms have lowered import duties on essential ingredients for seafood production, increasing the competitiveness of Indian seafood products in the international market.
• Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP): The RoDTEP rate has increased from 2.5% to 3.1%, offering additional financial incentives for exporters.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• The government is implementing the PMMSY, with an investment of Rs 20,050 crore over five years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25). This scheme aims to:
• Address critical gaps in fish production and productivity.
• Improve the quality of catches and harvests.
• Promote technology adoption.
• Enhance post-harvest infrastructure.
• Modernize and strengthen the seafood value chain.
• Reduce post-harvest losses and improve traceability.

Investment in Cold Chain Infrastructure

Since 2020-21, the Department of Fisheries has approved Rs 1,283.47 crore for developing cold chain infrastructure under PMMSY. This investment is vital for reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening the seafood value chain, ensuring that more seafood reaches consumers in optimal condition.

Status of the Fisheries Sector in India

India is the third-largest fish producer and the second-largest aquaculture producer globally, highlighting the importance of the fisheries and aquaculture industry in the country's economy. The Indian Blue Revolution has catalyzed significant advancements in these sectors, which are increasingly recognized as "sunrise sectors" with great potential for economic impact.

Key Developments

• Shift in Production Focus: There has been a notable transition from marine-dominated fisheries to inland fisheries. Inland fisheries now contribute around 70% of fish production, up from 36% in the mid-1980s.
• Production Milestones: Fish production reached an all-time high of 16.25 million metric tons (MMT) during FY 2021-22, with marine exports amounting to Rs 57,586 crore.
• Top Producing States: Andhra Pradesh leads fish production, followed by West Bengal.

Current Challenges

• Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing:
• IUU fishing undermines sustainability, involves illegal practices, and poses a significant threat to fish populations.
• Weak monitoring and surveillance make it challenging to combat this issue effectively.
• Inadequate Infrastructure and Technology:
• Outdated vessels and processing facilities reduce efficiency.
• Insufficient cold storage and transportation lead to high post-harvest losses.
• Limited access to modern technology restricts fishers' ability to locate stocks effectively.
• Climate Change and Environmental Degradation:
• Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification negatively impact marine ecosystems and fish distribution.
• Pollution and habitat destruction exacerbate the decline in fish populations.
• Socio-Economic Issues:
• Many fishers operate in small-scale, artisanal fisheries facing low incomes and inadequate access to credit, insurance, and social security.
• Gender disparities further marginalize women in the sector.
• Market Access and Value Chain Inefficiencies:
• Poor post-harvest handling and inadequate market linkages limit profitability.
• Despite significant production, accessing both domestic and international markets remains a challenge.

Government Initiatives

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship scheme aimed at enhancing fish production, improving infrastructure, and increasing market access.
• Palk Bay Scheme: Focused on sustainable fishing practices in the Palk Bay region.
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): A financial support initiative to boost infrastructure development in the fisheries sector.

Way Forward

• Embrace Aquaponics:
• Promote aquaponics, which combines fish farming with hydroponics, to enhance sustainability, reduce water usage, and increase land productivity.
• Enhance Cold Chain Infrastructure:
• Improve cold chain systems to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure high-quality fish products.
• Establish fish collection centers near coastal areas linked with modern storage and transportation facilities.
• Support Value Addition and Diversification:
• Encourage fish farmers to engage in value-added activities through training and financial assistance.
• Promote innovative fish-based products like ready-to-eat snacks and health supplements to expand market opportunities.

Why in the News?

NITI Aayog is revamping Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) as part of its expenditure reforms. The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) has invited proposals for consultancy support to evaluate these schemes across nine broad sectors.

Key Developments

• The evaluation will cover sectors such as:
• Agriculture and Allied Sector
• Women and Child Development
• Education, Urban Transformation & Skill Development
• Rural Development
• Drinking Water and Sanitation
• Health Sector
• Water Resources, Environment and Forest
• Social Inclusion, Law & Order, and Justice Delivery

About Centrally Sponsored Schemes

Definition

Centrally Sponsored Schemes are initiatives funded jointly by the central and state governments, implemented at the state level within sectors defined in the State and Concurrent Lists of the Constitution.

Features

• Framework: The current framework is based on the 2015 report by the Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on the Rationalisation of CSSs.
• Focus: CSSs aim to align with the National Development Agenda, facilitating collaboration between the Centre and states to realize Vision 2022.
• Current Status: There are currently 75 CSSs divided into three categories, constituting approximately 10.4% of the Centre’s budget expenditure.

Funding

• Transfers for CSSs are routed through the Consolidated Fund of the State.
• Following the 14th Finance Commission recommendations and the abolition of the Plan-Non Plan distinction in 2017, CSSs and Central Sector Schemes have become the main channels for specific-purpose transfers from the Union to the states.
• Funding Patterns:
• North Eastern and Himalayan States: Centre

ratio is 90:10.

• Other States: Centre

ratio is 60:40.

• Union Territories (without Legislature): 100% funded by the Centre.

Monitoring

NITI Aayog has concurrent jurisdiction in monitoring CSSs and oversees third-party evaluations to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

Rationale of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs)

• Principle of Subsidiarity:
• Central authorities should focus on tasks that cannot be effectively managed at local levels, promoting local governance and decision-making.
• Equalization of Basic Services:
• CSSs aim to provide equal access to essential services, such as healthcare, across different states, ensuring that all citizens benefit from national programs.
• Prioritizing Merit Goods:
• CSSs target goods and services, like subsidized housing and healthcare, that significantly benefit the poor and thus warrant government support.
• Directive Principles of State Policy:
• The schemes align with constitutional principles aimed at reducing inequality (Article 38), improving education (Article 45), supporting weaker sections (Article 46), and enhancing public health (Article 47).

Issues Associated with Current Framework of CSSs

• Resource Distribution Issues:
• A disproportionate amount of funding is concentrated in a few schemes, with 15 schemes accounting for over 91% of total expenditure. This leads to many sub-schemes receiving inadequate funding, such as the Rainfed Area Development sub-scheme with ₹180 crore compared to ₹34 crore for Agro-Forestry.
• Large Number of Schemes:
• The existence of numerous small schemes and sub-components leads to duplication of efforts and a dilution of resources, making it difficult to achieve significant impact.
• Reduced Fiscal Space for Union Items:
• Increased expenditure on state items constrains fiscal space for priorities within the Union List, impacting crucial areas like defense.
• ‘One Size Fits All’ Approach:
• CSSs are often designed by the Union Ministry without accommodating the diverse needs of different states, limiting their effectiveness.
• Lower Absorption Capacity:
• States with lower Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) struggle to match contributions and absorb funds due to inadequate capacity in manpower and governance, leading to missed opportunities for investment.
• Suboptimal Monitoring:
• Current monitoring focuses more on processes rather than outcomes, emphasizing inputs over actual results, which can hinder effective evaluation of the schemes.

Way Forward

• Prioritizing Funding:
• Gradually phase out funding for CSSs and their subcomponents that are outdated or have minimal budget allocations that do not reflect national priorities.
• Threshold Level for New CSSs:
• As per the Arvind Varma Committee recommendations, new CSSs should only be introduced if the annual outlay exceeds ₹300 crore. For existing smaller schemes, funds should be transferred to states as Normal Central Assistance.
• Inflation-Indexed Funding:
• Financial norms for components like cooking costs in midday meal schemes should be linked to the wholesale price index, with adjustments made every two years to keep pace with inflation.

Conclusion

While CSSs play a crucial role in addressing developmental challenges in India, there are significant issues in their current framework. A strategic approach that prioritizes funding, sets clear thresholds for new schemes, and links financial norms to inflation can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of these initiatives, ultimately leading to better service delivery and outcomes for citizens.