What to Read in Indian Express Editorial (Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1 : Migration, After Covid

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic severely disrupted migration, halting mobility and worsening migrant vulnerabilities.

 

Impact of the Pandemic on Migration

• Immediate Effects
  1. Triggered reverse urban-to-rural migration
     • 44.13 million migrants returned during the first lockdown (2020).
     • 26.3 million during the second lockdown.
  2. Vulnerable groups affected: Low-wage, low-skilled, seasonal migrants faced wage theft, food insecurity, healthcare gaps, and discrimination.
  3. Economic strain on families reliant on remittances.
• Long-Term Shifts
  1. Most migrants returned to urban areas post-pandemic, reverting to pre-COVID patterns.
  2. Rural economy failed to absorb returnees despite MGNREGA’s temporary relief.

 

Internal Migration Dynamics

• Drivers of Urban Migration
  1. Push Factors
     • Rural distress: Low wages, limited opportunities, and climate change impacts (e.g. Odisha’s agriculture decline due to climate shifts).
     • Aspirational migration: Urbanization goals (40% of India’s population projected in cities by 2026).
  2. Policy Drivers: Smart Cities Mission relies on migrant labour for urban development.
• Challenges in Rural Absorption
  1. MGNREGA provided only partial relief.
  2. Climate change exacerbates rural distress, accelerating out-migration.

 

International Migration Trends

• Post-Pandemic Shifts
  1. GCC Countries: Remain a key destination but face job losses and wage cuts.
  2. New Destinations
     • Europe: Rise in highly skilled migrants (India top beneficiary of EU Blue Card in 2023; non-traditional destinations like Malta and Georgia).
     • Africa: Growing opportunities in IT, healthcare, and manufacturing (though risks persist, e.g. stranded workers in Cameroon).
• Key Sectors Driving Migration
  1. Healthcare Workers: High global demand post-pandemic.
  2. Student Migration
     • Kerala’s student emigrants doubled from 1.29 lakh (2018) to 2.5 lakh (2023).
     • RBI data: Outward remittances for education hit $3,171 million in 2021.
     • Risks highlighted by the Russia-Ukraine war crisis.
• Remittance Resilience: Remittances sustained households despite pandemic disruptions, reinforcing their role in development.

 

Migration Governance Challenges

• Policy Gaps
  1. e-Shram Portal (2021): Aimed to create a database for unorganized workers but faced low registrations due to lack of awareness/digital access.
  2. One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) (2018): Improved food security for migrants but excluded many due to implementation barriers.
• Need for Reforms
  1. Systematic evaluation of social security schemes.
  2. Expansion of migrant support networks beyond traditional destinations.

 

Data Deficiencies

• Census Delay: 2021 Census postponed, hindering accurate migration assessment.
• PLFS Data Limitations: 2020-2021 survey data skewed due to pandemic flux.
• Emigrant Database: Ministry of External Affair’s estimates likely undercount migrants; no centralized tracking system.

 

Case Study: Kerala Model as a Blueprint

• Kerala Migration Surveys (since 1998) enabled data-driven policies.
• Replicated in states like Odisha, Goa, and Punjab. Its expansion recommended nationwide.

 

Way Forward: Recommendations

• Policy Actions
  1. Strengthen rural economies to reduce distress-driven migration.
  2. Improve awareness and accessibility of welfare schemes (e.g. e-Shram, ONORC).
• Data Infrastructure
  1. Expedite Census 2021 and adopt Kerala-style migration surveys nationally.
  2. Develop a comprehensive emigrant database.
• Global Engagement: Expand diplomatic and consular support for migrants in non-traditional destinations.

 

Conclusion: India’s migration landscape reflects a resilient yet vulnerable system. While urban migration rebounds and international patterns diversify, systemic gaps in governance, data, and rural development persist. Addressing these challenges is critical to safeguarding migrants’ rights and making migration, a driver of economic growth.

Editorial 2 : The Green Path to Growth

Context: Green growth for Viksit Bharat

 

Introduction: Dual Objectives – Viksit Bharat 2047 & Net-Zero 2070

• Viksit Bharat Goal
  1. Target: Transform India into a developed nation by 2047.
  2. Requires 8%+ annual GDP growth (current growth rate has slipped).
• Net-Zero Goal
  1. Target: Net-zero emissions by 2070.
  2. Near-term milestones by 2030
     • 50% reduction in emissions intensity.
     • 500 GW renewable energy capacity.
     • $290 billion investment in wind/solar energy.

 

Challenges in Balancing Economic Growth & Sustainability

1. Fast growth relies on emissions-heavy sectors (e.g. coal accounts for 55-60% of power generation).
2. Recent GDP slowdown linked to emissions-intensive manufacturing.
   • Dependency on Fossil Fuels: 85% crude oil and 50% natural gas imported, exposing economy to price volatility.

 

Risks of Ignoring Green Growth

• Economic Losses by 2030
  1. 2.8% GDP loss from climate impacts on agriculture.
  2. $220 billion loss from extreme heat reducing labour productivity.
  3. 2.5-4.5% GDP reduction overall due to extreme heat.
• Long-Term Threats (by 2050)
  1. 10% GDP plunge from climate risks.
  2. $150 billion/year export loss by 2040 due to carbon penalties on Indian goods.

 

Benefits of Green Growth for Economic Acceleration

• Employment and Job Creation: 50 million new jobs by 2070 (World Economic Forum Mission 2070 report).
• Value Addition in Economy: $1 trillion by 2030 and $15 trillion by 2070 through green sectors.
• Strategic Advantages
  1. Energy security reduces vulnerability to global shocks.
  2. Health improvements from reduced pollution, which will have a multiplier effect on productivity.
  3. Innovation spillovers in manufacturing and technology.

 

Holistic Strategy for Integrated Growth

• Green Initiatives in Union Budget 2025
  1. 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047.
  2. Incentives for solar equipment, grid-scale batteries, and critical mineral recycling.
• Three Strategic Dimensions
  1. Supply-Side Infrastructure: Expand renewables and climate adaptation (e.g. transmission networks, carbon capture).
  2. Demand-Side Interventions: Support farmers (45% workforce) with climate-resilient crops and MSMEs (30% GDP) with green tech financing.
  3. Managing Transition Disruptions: Reskill workers in coal-dependent states; reallocate capital to low-carbon sectors.

 

Role of International Collaboration & Innovation

• Technology Partnerships: Focus on green hydrogen, grid modernization, battery tech, and carbon capture.
• Funding Mechanisms: Green bonds, blended finance models, and guarantees from multilateral banks (e.g. for green hydrogen projects).
• Scenario-Based Planning: Address global uncertainties through adaptive strategies.

 

Human Capital & Skill Development

• Workforce Requirements: 3.7 million skilled workers needed in renewables by 2030.
• Skill-Building Initiatives: Collaborate with global players for training and re-skilling programs.

 

Conclusion and Way Forward

• Key Imperatives
  1. Integrate green growth into fast-track economic plans to avoid long-term risks.
  2. Prioritize climate adaptation alongside renewable capacity expansion.
  3. Leverage global expertise and financing for complex projects.
• Policy Actions
  1. Expand subsidies, carbon pricing, and green finance schemes.
  2. Address rural and MSME needs through targeted interventions.