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CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11/10/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11/10/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11/10/2023

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  1. CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11/10/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11/10/2023

Kerala set to send 46 lakh women back to school

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Indian Express

Over the next two months, more than 2,000 schools in Kerala are opening their doors on weekends for 46 lakh women enrolled in the Kudumbashree poverty alleviation mission.

  • The “back to school” program aims to reorient the mission towards enhancing household income and empowering women.

 

Key Highlights

  • Kudumbashree’s Progress and New Focus:
    • Kerala Local Self-Government Department Minister M B Rajesh launched the program in Thrithala on October 1, emphasizing Kudumbashree’s significant progress in empowering women over the last 25 years.
    • The mission’s new focus is on increasing household income rather than just poverty alleviation.
    • The “back to school” initiative will equip women with knowledge, expertise, and energy for the mission’s future endeavors, including training in financial transactions and entrepreneurship.
    • The program will empower Kudumbashree’sneighborhood groups to explore new projects and strengthen the mission’s three-tier system.
  • Educational Content and Instructors:
    • The program features classes on five key topics: “organizational strength–lessons from experience, vibrancy of NHG, community–life security, livelihood ideas, and digital age.”
    • 15,000 trained resource persons will serve as instructors for these classes.
  • Program Duration and Participation:
    • The program began on October 1 and will continue until December 10.
    • All 46 lakh women in Kudumbashree’sneighborhood groups will have the opportunity to attend classes.
    • On the launch day, October 1, four lakh women attended classes across 870 schools in the state.
  • Involvement of Kudumbashree’s Units:
    • Kudumbashree Mission’s 19,470 area development societies and 1,070 community development societies are participating in the “back to school” program.
    • At the district level, a 10-member team of resource persons will manage the program.

 

What is ‘Kudumbashree poverty alleviation mission’ of Kerela?

  • Kudumbashree is a poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment program in Kerala.
  • It is one of the largest and most successful community-based poverty reduction initiatives in India.
  • The name “Kudumbashree” is derived from the Malayalam words “kudumbam,” which means family, and “ashree,” which means prosperity.
  • The mission of Kudumbashree is to improve the living standards and socio-economic conditions of women and their families, particularly those in marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities.
  • Key features:
    • Women’s Empowerment:
      • Kudumbashree primarily focuses on empowering women by providing them with opportunities for skill development, entrepreneurship, and leadership roles.
      • It recognizes the critical role that women play in poverty reduction and community development.
    • Community Organization:
      • Kudumbashree encourages the formation of neighborhood groups, which are the basic building blocks of the program.
      • These groups bring women together for collective action, social support, and economic activities.
    • Livelihood Opportunities:
      • The mission helps women access livelihood opportunities by providing training, credit, and resources for various income-generating activities.
      • This can include activities such as micro-enterprises, farming, and handicrafts.
    • Financial Inclusion:
      • Kudumbashree promotes financial inclusion by facilitating access to microfinance services and credit for women entrepreneurs.
      • It encourages savings and financial management practices.
    • Local Self-Governance:
      • The program also encourages women’s participation in local self-governance and decision-making processes.
      • It supports their involvement in local panchayats (village councils) and other community institutions.

Face the climate

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Indian Express

The current year is on track to set new climate change records in India, with notable weather anomalies.

  • India experienced its warmest February and driest August in recorded history, with abnormal rainfall patterns in the preceding months.
  • Climate change is affecting various sectors, including agriculture and consumer goods industries.

 

Key Highlights

  • Weather Anomalies:
    • India faced unprecedented climate events, including record-breaking temperatures and severe drought in February and August.
    • Abnormal rainfall patterns were observed in March, April, and May.
    • The southwest monsoon arrived late but covered the entire country ahead of schedule.
  • Impact on Business:
    • Climate change is now considered the “single biggest business risk,” even for consumer goods companies.
    • Unseasonal weather, such as unexpected summer showers, impacted demand for products like ice-cream, cold beverages, air-conditioners, and refrigerators.
    • Climate change-related uncertainties challenge companies’ production and demand forecasting.
  • Challenges Beyond Agriculture:
    • Climate change encompasses more than just monsoon variations; it includes fewer rainy days, extended dry spells, intense precipitation, and extreme temperature fluctuations.
    • Non-farm businesses also face challenges, requiring a shift in their traditional demand-based production and stock-building strategies.
  • Adaptation and Planning:
    • Policymakers and economic planners need to incorporate climate change into growth models.
    • Investments in research and knowledge about extreme weather events across sectors are essential.
    • This includes developing temperature and drought-resistant crops and enhancing forecasting capabilities for storms and heatwaves.
  • A Call for National Climate Adaptation Strategy:
    • All stakeholders, including government, industry, meteorologists, agricultural scientists, and disaster management specialists, should collaborate to develop a national climate adaptation strategy for India.
    • Adaptation to climate change is crucial for the immediate future, and collective efforts are needed to address its impacts.

Law Commission age of consent recommendations threaten to criminalise the young

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Indian Express

The 283rd report of the Law Commission of India (LCI) has recommended against changing the existing age of consent under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

  • The report raises concerns about the impact of the increased age of consent on adolescents and youth from marginalized backgrounds.

 

Key Highlights

  • Background and Impact of Age of Consent:
    • The POCSO Act, enacted in 2012, raised the age of consent from 16 to 18 years.
    • The mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years for statutory rape, regardless of consent, has led to unintended consequences.
  • Divided Positions and International Approaches:
    • There are divided opinions on whether to retain the age of consent at 16 with close-in-age exceptions or increase it to 18.
    • The report discusses international approaches in countries like the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, and South Africa, which have lower ages of consent and close-in-age exceptions.
  • Flaws in Proposed Mitigation:
    • The LCI report recommends retaining the age of consent at 18 but allowing judicial discretion to reduce sentences.
    • However, this mitigation has several flaws, including its timing, introduction of the term “tacit approval,” and a checklist of circumstances for exemption.
  • Protecting Adolescents and Youth:
    • It is essential to protect young individuals from sexual abuse while also safeguarding them from unwarranted criminalization and incarceration.
    • The onset of puberty brings natural curiosity and exploration of sexuality.
    • The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) emphasizes age-appropriate sexuality education and access to confidential counseling while prohibiting laws criminalizing consensual sexual activity among peers.
  • Selective Impact on Marginalized Groups:
    • Data in India shows that criminalization disproportionately affects the poor and marginalized, particularly girls.
    • Criminalization can lead to dire consequences, pushing vulnerable individuals toward activities like prostitution or crime.
  • The Way Forward:
    • The LCI’s report leaves many critical issues unaddressed.
    • Courts should handle cases with sensitivity on a case-by-case basis.
    • Public dialogue and awareness are essential to finding balanced solutions to issues related to age of consent and protecting adolescents.

 

About The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act

  • The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was enacted in 2012 to address and combat sexual offenses against children.
  • Purpose and Objective:
    • The primary aim of the POCSO Act is to provide a legal mechanism for the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
    • It specifically deals with sexual offenses committed against individuals below the age of 18 years, acknowledging the need for their special protection.
  • Definitions:
    • The Act defines various sexual offenses against children, such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, and using a child for pornographic purposes.
    • It clearly outlines what constitutes these offenses and the age criteria for victims and perpetrators.
  • Special Courts:
    • The Act mandates the establishment of special courts to expedite the legal proceedings related to child sexual abuse cases.
    • These special courts are meant to ensure a child-friendly environment and speedy trials.
  • Reporting and Child Support:
    • The Act places a legal obligation on individuals and authorities to report suspected child sexual abuse.
    • It also requires the government to provide support and rehabilitation services to victims, such as counseling and medical assistance.
  • Gender-Neutral:
    • The Act is gender-neutral, meaning it covers both male and female victims and offenders.
    • It recognizes that both boys and girls can be victims of sexual offenses.

 

About Law Commission of India (LCI)

The Law Commission of India (LCI) is a statutory body established by the Government of India to undertake legal reforms and recommend changes and improvements in the country’s legal framework.

  • It was established through a resolution by the Government of India on 21st March 1955.
  • It operates under the Law Commission of India Act, 1999, and is reconstituted every three years.
  • Composition:
    • The LCI is typically composed of a full-time chairman and various part-time members, including legal experts and jurists.
    • These members are appointed by the government and are tasked with the responsibility of studying specific legal issues and making recommendations.
  • The LCI submits its reports and recommendations to the government, which may choose to accept, modify, or reject them.
  • The reports and recommendations are often used as valuable references by policymakers, legislators, and the judiciary to bring about legal reforms.

Net direct tax collections up 21.8% to ₹9.57 lakh crore

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

India’s net direct tax collections have recorded substantial growth, increasing by 21.8% to reach ₹9.57 lakh crore as of October 9.

  • This achievement surpasses over half of the Budget estimates for the current fiscal year.

 

Key Highlights

  • Breakdown of Tax Collections:
    • Personal income tax revenues saw a significant rise, increasing by 32.5%.
    • Corporate taxes also contributed to the growth, showing an increase of 12.4%.
  • Tax Refunds and Pending Tax Demands:
    • Tax refunds amounting to ₹1.5 lakh crore have been disbursed to taxpayers so far.
    • Some refunds are being withheld due to pending tax demands from previous years, giving taxpayers an opportunity to address these issues.
    • Challenges related to validating bank accounts for approximately 35 lakh taxpayers, who may have provided incorrect bank branch codes, are affecting the refund process.
  • Threshold for Tax Refunds:
    • For refunds of up to ₹5,000, the Income Tax department is processing payouts without restrictions.
    • However, for amounts exceeding this threshold, taxpayers are being informed about any outstanding tax dues.
  • Legacy Cases and Technological Shift:
    • Some tax demands date back to as early as 2010-11, possibly due to the technology shift the department underwent at that time.
    • The shift from manual registers to an online system for recording assessment orders may have contributed to pending demands.
  • Taxpayer Response and Resolution:
    • Taxpayers are asked to respond to queries regarding pending tax demands.
      • If they agree with the demand, it is adjusted against the refund.
    • In cases where taxpayers contest the demand, further actions are taken to update the system based on the data provided by the taxpayer.
  • Growth in Tax Returns and Verification:
    • As of September 23, 7.09 crore income tax returns were filed, and refunds were issued in 2.75 crore cases.
    • By October 9, the total returns filed had increased to 7.27 crore, with 7.15 crore returns verified.
    • In the previous year, 7.5 crore tax returns were filed.
  • Budget Estimates and Gross Collections:
    • Net direct tax collections account for 52.5% of the Budget estimates for the year.
    • Gross collections reached ₹11.07 lakh crore, marking an almost 18% increase compared to the previous year.
    • Corporate tax collections increased by 7.3%, while personal income tax revenues showed a robust growth of 29.5%.
  • Combined with revenues from the Securities Transaction Tax, personal income tax (PIT) collections saw substantial growth, with a 29.1% increase at the gross revenue level and 31.85% in net revenues.

 

About the tax regime of India

  • Income Tax:
    • Income Tax is a direct tax levied on the income of individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), companies, and other entities.
    • It is governed by the Income Tax Act, 1961.
    • Individuals are categorized into different tax slabs, with varying tax rates based on their annual income.
    • Deductions and exemptions are available to reduce the taxable income, including deductions for investments, insurance premiums, and more.
    • Tax is collected at source (TCS) and tax deducted at source (TDS) to ensure that individuals and businesses pay their taxes as they earn income.
    • The government may introduce surcharges and cesses on income tax to fund specific programs or initiatives.
  • Corporate Tax:
    • Corporate Tax is a direct tax imposed on the income of businesses, including domestic and foreign companies.
    • The tax rate for domestic companies may vary based on their annual turnover, but it typically hovers around 25%.
    • Foreign companies may face different tax rates, often higher than domestic companies.
    • In recent years, the government has introduced measures to reduce corporate tax rates to promote business investments.
  • Goods and Services Tax (GST):
    • GST is an indirect tax system that replaced various state and central taxes.
    • It is a consumption-based tax levied on the supply of goods and services.
    • GST has multiple tax rates, including 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%, as well as a special rate for certain goods.
    • The tax is collected at each stage of the supply chain, and businesses can claim input tax credits on taxes paid on their purchases.
  • Customs Duty:
    • Customs Duty is an indirect tax levied on goods imported into India.
    • It is collected by the Department of Customs, which is part of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.
    • The rate of customs duty may vary based on the type of goods and trade agreements.
  • Excise Duty:
    • Excise Duty is an indirect tax on the production or manufacture of goods.
    • It applies to certain specified goods, and the rates vary based on the type of product.
    • The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has largely replaced the excise duty on most goods.
  • Securities Transaction Tax (STT):
    • STT is a tax levied on the purchase and sale of securities such as stocks and derivatives.
    • It is collected by stock exchanges and is meant to discourage speculative trading.
  • Property Tax:
    • Property Tax is a local tax collected by municipal authorities.
    • It is based on the assessed value of a property and is used to fund local services and infrastructure.
  • Wealth Tax (Abolished):
    • India had a Wealth Tax, which was levied on the net wealth of individuals and HUFs.
    • However, it was abolished in 2015.
  • Gift Tax (Abolished):
    • Gift Tax was a tax on gifts given by individuals.
    • It was abolished in 1998.

 

What is Tax Collected at Source (TCS) and Tax Deducted at Source (TDS)?

  • Tax Collected at Source (TCS)
    • Tax Collected at Source (TCS) is a tax collection method where the seller collects tax from the buyer at the time of a specified transaction.
    • The collected tax is then deposited with the government on behalf of the buyer.
    • TCS is primarily applied to specific transactions, particularly those involving the sale of certain goods or services.
  • Tax Deducted at Source (TDS):
    • Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is a method of tax collection where the person making a payment deducts a specified percentage of the payment as tax and remits it to the government.
    • TDS is generally applied to various types of payments, such as salaries, interest, rent, and professional fees.

The impact of Claudia Goldin’s work

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

Harvard University Professor Claudia Goldin received the SverigesRiksbank Prize in Economic Sciences for her groundbreaking work on women’s labor market outcomes.

  • Her research provides the first comprehensive account of women’s earnings and labor market participation over two centuries.
  • Professor Goldin is the third woman to win the Nobel Prize in Economics and the first to do so solo.

 

Key Highlights

  • Understanding Gender Differences in Earnings and Employment:
    • Professor Goldin’s research explores how and why gender differences in earnings and employment rates have evolved over time.
    • She demonstrates that female labor market participation follows a U-shaped curve rather than a continuous upward trend, with multiple factors influencing these changes.
    • Factors include opportunities for balancing work and family, decisions related to education and child-rearing, technical innovations, laws and norms, and economic structural transformations.
  • Impacts of Gender Inequality on Both Genders:
    • Professor Goldin emphasizes that gender inequality in the labor market harms both men and women.
    • Men often sacrifice family time, while women may forgo career advancement, resulting in losses for both genders.
  • Female Participation Shifts in Agrarian and Industrial Eras:
    • During the transition from an agrarian to an industrial society in the 19th century, married women’s labor force participation decreased.
    • It started to increase again with the growth of the services sector.
    • Professor Goldin notes that historical data on female participation was often inaccurately recorded, leading to underestimations in official statistics.
    • Correcting this data revealed that the proportion of women in the labor force was higher at the end of the 19th century than previously reported.
    • She found that employment rates for married women were three times higher than the official Census records indicated.
    • Industrialization made it more challenging for married women to work from home, leading to a decline in their participation.
    • Unmarried women were still employed in manufacturing during the industrial era, but the overall female labor force decreased.
    • Her research suggests that there is no consistent historical link between female labor force engagement and economic growth.
  • Upward Trajectory of Female Labor Force Participation:
    • The early 20th century marked the beginning of the upward trajectory in female labor force participation.
    • Factors contributing to this shift included technological progress, growth in the service sector, and increased education, leading to higher labor demand.
    • However, social stigma, legislation, and institutional barriers continued to limit women’s influence.
  • Role of “Marriage Bars” and Expectations:
    • “Marriage bars,” a practice of firing or not hiring married women, peaked during the Great Depression and the subsequent years, restricting women from certain professions like teaching and office work.
    • Prevailing expectations about women’s future careers played a crucial role in their decisions.
    • Women’s choices were influenced by expectations set at a time when they were not encouraged to pursue careers.
  • Expectations as a Determinant:
    • In the early 20th century, societal expectations dictated that women exit the labor force upon marriage.
    • A shift occurred in the second half of the century when married women would return to work once their children were older.
    • This reliance on prior educational choices made at a time when career expectations were low led to underestimation.
    • The “underestimation” was overcome in the 1970s when young women invested more in their education.
  • Impact of Birth Control Pills:
    • The introduction of birth control pills allowed women to better plan their careers.
    • Although the pill influenced educational and career choices, it did not completely eliminate the earnings gap between men and women.
    • However, the earnings gap significantly decreased since the 1970s.
    • Pay Discrimination in the Services Sector:
    • Pay discrimination, where employees are paid differently based on factors like gender, increased notably with the growth of the services sector in the 20th century.
    • This surprising trend occurred at a time when the earnings gap between men and women had reduced, and piecework contracts were being replaced by monthly payments.
    • Employers preferred workers with “long and uninterrupted careers,” contributing to the reemergence of the expectations paradigm in labor markets.

What is Hamas, the Palestinian militant group?

(General Studies- Paper II and III)

Source : TH

Hamas’s secretive commander, announced an operation called the ‘al-Aqsa Flood’ on October 7, vowing to end Israel’s occupation and hold them accountable for their actions.

  • In the first strike of this operation, Hamas launched more than 5,000 rockets in just 20 minutes, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
  • This operation resulted in Hamas launching it’s largest-ever attack on Israel from Gaza, causing significant casualties on both sides.
  • The attack has taken a heavy toll on Israel, leaving it facing one of the bloodiest blows in decades.

 

Key Highlights

  • The Roots of Hamas:
    • The origins of Hamas can be traced back to the Muslim Brotherhood, a prominent Islamist organization founded by Hasan al-Banna in 1928.
    • The Muslim Brotherhood established a presence in British-ruled Palestine in the 1930s, with efforts to reorient Muslim society.
    • In contrast, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), founded in 1964, focused on Palestinian nationalist sentiments, particularly after Israel captured territories in 1967.
  • Divergence from the PLO:
    • The PLO initiated a guerilla war against Israel, aiming to liberate all of Palestine after territorial losses.
    • The Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas initially stayed away from politics, advocating for building a pious Islamic society known as “the upbringing of an Islamic generation.”
    • During this period, Israel established contacts with Brotherhood leadership in the occupied territories.
  • Hamas Emergence and Background:
    • Hamas was officially established during the first intifada in 1987, a mass Palestinian uprising driven by frustration over the continued Israeli occupation.
    • Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a key figure, set up the Islamic Centre in 1973, recognized first as a charity and later as an association by Israel.
    • The Islamic Centre facilitated fundraising, mosque construction, and educational institutions, including the Islamic University of Gaza.
  • Political Transformation and Ambitions:
    • The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran reshaped the landscape of Islamist politics in the region, leading to increased political activism among Islamist groups.
    • The 1980s witnessed confrontations between leftist PLO supporters and Islamist factions in the occupied territories.
  • Hamas’s Vision and Charter:
    • Hamas released its charter in 1988, which included anti-Semitic language and a vision of Palestine as an Islamic land until Judgment Day.
    • The charter emphasized jihad as the only solution to the Palestinian issue and rejected peace initiatives.
    • Hamas opposed the Oslo agreement and the PLO’s recognition of Israel, opting for a more confrontational stance.
    • Rejecting the two-state solution, Hamas aimed to liberate all of historic Palestine, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Organizational Structure:
    • Hamas developed a multifaceted organization with social, military, and political wings.
    • The social wing focused on Islamic education and charitable activities.
    • The military wing, known as Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, handled military planning and weapons acquisitions.
    • A political bureau also played a role within the organization.

RBI extends prompt corrective action framework to govt NBFCs

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the extension of the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to government NBFCs (except those in the base layer).

  • This extension becomes effective from October 1, 2024, based on the audited financials of these NBFCs as of March 31, 2024, or thereafter.

 

Key Highlights

  • Objective of PCA Framework:
    • The PCA framework aims to enable supervisory intervention when necessary and requires the supervised entity (NBFC) to implement remedial measures promptly to restore its financial health.
    • It also acts as a tool for market discipline and does not preclude the RBI from taking any additional actions as deemed fit at any time.
  • Previous Implementation of PCA Framework:
    • The PCA framework for NBFCs was initially implemented on October 1, 2022, based on the financial position of NBFCs as of or after March 31, 2022.
    • The RBI issued a circular to NBFCs regarding this framework in December 2021.
  • Corrective Actions Under PCA:
    • The RBI has established a range of corrective actions for NBFCs and core investment companies (CICs), with the specific action chosen depending on the degree of breach of risk thresholds.
    • Corrective actions encompass the following:
      • limitations on dividend distribution or profit remittance,
      • requirements for promoters/shareholders to inject equity and reduce leverage,
      • restrictions on issuing guarantees or assuming contingent liabilities on behalf of group companies (applies only to CICs),
      • limitations on branch expansion, special supervisory actions, and
      • discretionary actions pertaining to governance, capital, profitability, and business.

 

What are Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)?

  • A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a registered company under the Companies Act, 1956.
  • Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) are financial institutions that provide a wide range of banking and financial services, similar to traditional banks, but they do not hold a banking license.
  • However, NBFCs do not include institutions primarily involved in agriculture, industrial activities, purchase/sale of goods (other than securities), or providing services and construction/sale/purchase of immovable property.
  • Some key characteristics:
    • No Banking License:
      • As the name suggests, NBFCs are not allowed to accept demand deposits from the public like traditional banks.
      • They cannot issue checks drawn on themselves.
    • Financial Services:
      • NBFCs engage in various financial activities, including lending and credit provision, investment in securities, wealth management, insurance services, asset financing, and more.
    • Credit and Loans:
      • Many NBFCs specialize in providing loans and credit to individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and other sectors of the economy.
      • They often cater to segments that banks may consider higher risk.
    • Regulation:
      • In India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates NBFCs to ensure they comply with certain prudential norms and operational guidelines.
      • There are different types of NBFCs in India, including Asset Finance Companies, Loan Companies, and more.
    • Deposit insurance by entities like the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation is not available to NBFC depositors, unlike bank depositors.

Protocol for Identification and Management of Malnutrition in Children

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Indian Express

The Union Minister of Women and Child Development (WCD), unveiled the government’s first-ever “Protocol for Identification and Management of Malnutrition in Children.”

  • The protocol was developed by the WCD Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Ayush.

 

Key Highlights

  • Defining and Identifying Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)
    • The protocols provide detailed guidelines for identifying children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
    • They outline the processes necessary to help these children achieve a healthy weight.
    • Comprehensive norms for dietary requirements at different levels of malnutrition among children are included.
  • Officials reported that 7.7% of children in India are afflicted by severe acute malnutrition.
  • Monitoring and Testing for SAM Children
    • SAM children will undergo appetite tests to detect medical complications.
    • Growth monitoring data will be used to identify affected children.
    • Screening will be conducted in both outpatient departments (OPDs) and inpatient wards at healthcare facilities, utilizing measurements of weight for height and weight for age.
  • Referral to Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres
    • SAM children who fail the appetite test will be referred to Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres.
    • These centers will be linked with medical facilities.
  • WCD Secretary Indevar Pandey emphasized the importance of addressing malnutrition among adolescent girls.
  • Every SAM child will receive weekly visits from Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) or Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs).
  • The protocols also introduce a system of “Buddy mothers,” which has shown success in Assam.

Note: The “Buddy mothers” of Assam refers to a system or program where experienced or trained mothers provide support, guidance, and assistance to new or expectant mothers. These “buddy mothers” act as mentors, sharing their knowledge and experience related to maternal and child care.