UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on new labour codes and public health implications of SO₂ emissions (Week 130)

QUESTION 1

Discuss the public health implications of sustained SO₂ emissions from thermal power plants. What policy measures can be taken to mitigate these health risks?

QUESTION 2

The new labour codes legally recognise gig and platform workers for the first time. Discuss the potential benefits of this recognition as well as the challenges that need to be addressed.

General points on the structure of the answers for UPSC Mains

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: Discuss the public health implications of sustained SO₂ emissions from thermal power plants. What policy measures can be taken to mitigate these health risks?

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Many units of thermal power plants in a 300 km radius of the capital city, continue to operate without flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems, which are critical for reducing sulphur dioxide emissions.

— Sulphur dioxide causes fine particulate matter PM2.5; it reacts with other compounds in the air to form air particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which are not visible to the naked eye.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

Public health implications

— According to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) statistics from November 1-19, there are at least 15 units across six thermal plants within a 300-kilometer radius of Delhi that do not have a FGD system and were operational during this time period.

— Sulphur dioxide, which is produced when coal is burned in thermal power plants, is damaging to human health, the environment, and climate. FGD systems cut emissions, but compliance has been slow.

— According to a 2024 study by the global independent research organisation Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), thermal plants within a 300-kilometer radius of Delhi are estimated to emit 16 times more SO₂ than burning paddy stubble.

— Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing heart or lung diseases are among the most vulnerable groups to the negative health effects of long-term exposure to sulphur dioxide emissions.

— The eyes, nose, throat, and lungs are all severely irritated by sulphur dioxide. Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and elevated airway resistance can all result after exposure. Chronic bronchitis, asthma, lung infections, and a possible deterioration in lung function are all associated with prolonged exposure.

— It helps create fine particulate matter, which can enter the bloodstream and go deep into the lungs.

— Sulphur dioxide’s negative health effects frequently work in concert with those of other air pollutants such particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, making the entire health burden worse.

Conclusion:

— To limit pollution, the ministry set the country’s first sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and mercury standards for coal plants in December 2015. Operators were allowed two years to deploy SO₂ control systems, including FGD.

— According to the most recent notification, Category A plants must install FGD by December 2027, Category B plants by December 2028, and Category C plants are exempt from installing FGD systems if the height of their chimneys (stacks) meets the statutory restrictions.

— Governments must set and vigorously enforce air quality guidelines for sulphur dioxide. This includes establishing strict, non-extendable dates for power plants to meet these criteria. Penalties for noncompliance, such as high environmental compensation payments, might encourage prompt action.

— Shifting the energy mix away from conventional coal and towards non-fossil fuel-based renewable sources (solar, wind, and hydroelectric) is a critical long-term strategy for reducing sulphur dioxide emissions and mitigating climate change.

— Implementing continuous emission monitoring systems and making data publicly available can keep power facilities accountable while also allowing for independent verification of compliance.

(Source: Delhi chokes, but 15 of 35 power units in 300 km radius don’t treat sulphur dioxide, http://www.nps.gov)

Points to Ponder

Read about other emissions

What are the different sources of Sulphur dioxide emissions

Related Previous Year Questions

Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiatives in this regard. (2024)

What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India? (2023)

QUESTION 2: The new labour codes legally recognise gig and platform workers for the first time. Discuss the potential benefits of this recognition as well as the challenges that need to be addressed.

(file image)

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— The Parliament cleared the four labour codes replacing 29 central labour laws, and the government has moved ahead with their implementation, effective November 21.

— The four labour codes — Code on Wages, Code on Social Security, Industrial Relations Code, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code — seek to ease regulations and compliance norms for employers, and ensure uniformity in wage structure and social security protection for workers.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

— The gig and platform economy is vast, ambiguous, and may include a diverse variety of people who do not match the traditional definition of a “worker.” Platform-based and non-platform-based workers can be broadly classified. Non-platform workers typically operate in traditional industries as salaried, own-account, or casual wage workers, whereas platform workers primarily rely on digital platforms that include online software or applications.

— The term “gig” refers to temporary, short-term employment that began to emerge in the 1990s when 10% of the US workforce shifted to gig employment due to its flexibility, and soon after, with the introduction of Upwork-like platforms, the number of freelancers began to rise.

— The Code on Social Security merges nine existing social security laws to cover both organised and unorganised sectors. It defines gig and platform workers legally for the first time. National registration and a social security fund for unorganised and gig workers are stipulated.

— Social security schemes to be funded wholly or partly by central and state governments or corporate social responsibility contributions. Aggregators for gig workers to contribute 1-2 per cent of annual turnover for social security, capped at 5 per cent of the amount payable by the aggregator to gig workers.

Potential Benefits

— Recognition provides dignity and a legal basis for protection.

— The Code on Social Security empowers central and state governments to create welfare programs that cover a wide range of benefits, including health insurance (ESI), provident funds (EPF), life and disability insurance, maternity benefits, and old-age protection.

— It provides a consistent funding mechanism for employee welfare.

— The goal of an Aadhaar-linked Universal Account Number (UAN) system is to make welfare benefits transferable so that employees can access them in other states and even when they change platforms and companies.

— Better policy development and enforcement are made possible by the establishment of a national database for unorganised workers that tracks employment histories and maps skills.

Challenges

— Many elements about the schemes, contribution levels, eligibility standards, and access mechanisms for social security benefits have to be determined by state-level rules, which are still being developed.

— They are not guaranteed complete institutional social security or the entire range of rights that traditional workers enjoy, such as minimum salaries, paid leave, and protection against arbitrary termination.

— The new compliance requirements, particularly the financial contributions, may increase operational expenses for aggregators.

— The nature of gig employment, which is typically driven by algorithmic management and strict deadlines, can result in physical tiredness and safety issues.

— The Industrial Relations Code mostly pertains to traditional “employees,” leaving an uncertain mechanism for gig workers to file grievances about deactivation, payment issues, or working conditions.

(Source: Labour codes: What changes for workers and employers, vvgnli.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Read more about the new Labour Codes

Read about core and non-core activities

Related Previous Year Questions

Discuss the merits and demerits of the four ‘Labour Codes’ in the context of labour market reforms in India. What has been the progress so far in this regard? (2024)

Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports. (2017)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 128)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 129)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 128)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 129)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 129)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 128)

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