Policy Amendments to Compassionate Employment Scheme Align with Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of Policy Enhancements

The state government has approved significant amendments to its ‘Compassionate Employment Policy’ to enhance social security and support for vulnerable families. These revisions are directly aligned with fostering inclusive and sustainable economic well-being.

Details of the Amendments

1. The annual family income eligibility criterion has been raised from Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 3.00 lakh, expanding the policy’s coverage to include more families in need.
2. Priority for appointments will be given to widows and parentless applicants under the age of 45, as well as dependents of government employees who passed away in the line of duty.
3. A one-time relaxation of the 5% ceiling on compassionate appointments has been approved to ensure that limitations in the existing quota do not deprive deserving candidates of opportunities.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The policy revisions directly support several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By increasing the income threshold and prioritizing the most vulnerable, the policy acts as a crucial social safety net. It aims to prevent families from falling into poverty following the loss of a primary earner, thereby reducing economic inequality.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The specific emphasis on supporting widows under 45 addresses a critical gender disparity. It provides women who suddenly become sole household providers with economic independence and stability, empowering them to support their families and secure their futures.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The policy facilitates access to decent work for individuals facing distressing circumstances. This ensures their continued participation in the economy and secures a stable livelihood, contributing to sustainable economic growth for the community.

Stated Rationale and Intended Impact

The government’s stated objective is to provide timely financial and moral support to families in distress. The amendments are designed to offer stability, particularly for widows, enabling them to manage household responsibilities, provide for their children’s education, and care for elderly family members, thereby fostering a more resilient and equitable society.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the amendments to the ‘Compassionate Employment Policy’ in Shimla connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing issues of poverty, gender equality, economic security, and institutional responsiveness.

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The policy aims to provide a financial safety net for families who have lost their primary earner, preventing them from falling into poverty.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The policy specifically prioritizes widows, acknowledging their unique social and economic vulnerabilities and aiming to empower them.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The core of the policy is to provide employment, which is a fundamental aspect of decent work and sustained economic well-being for vulnerable families.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – By targeting support towards the most vulnerable families, including those headed by widows and parentless applicants, the policy directly works to reduce economic and social inequalities.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The government’s action of amending and improving a public policy demonstrates a move towards more effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions that respond to the needs of the populace.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the policy changes described, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable. The ‘Compassionate Employment Policy’ is a social protection system. The article states the government is increasing the income eligibility criterion “to bring more families under the policy’s ambit,” directly aligning with achieving substantial coverage for the vulnerable.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The policy gives “preference for appointments” to widows below 45 years of age, directly promoting their participation in economic and public life by providing them with government employment and financial stability.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. The policy’s objective is to provide employment to dependents of deceased government employees, thus contributing to full and productive employment for a specific vulnerable segment of the population.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The policy promotes the economic inclusion of vulnerable groups by giving preference to “widows and parentless applicants below 45 years of age.”
• Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality. The amendment to the compassionate employment policy is a clear example of adopting a social protection policy to achieve greater equality by supporting families in distress.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The state government’s action to review and amend the policy to better serve its purpose—by increasing the income limit and relaxing the appointment ceiling—shows an effort to make its institutional processes more effective and responsive to the needs of vulnerable citizens.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to track progress:

Indicators for SDG 1 & 10

• Annual Income Eligibility Criterion: The change from “Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per annum” is a direct, measurable indicator of the policy’s scope. This can be tracked to measure the expansion of the social protection floor (Target 1.3) and the effort to reduce inequality (Target 10.4).
• Number of Beneficiary Families: Progress can be measured by tracking the number of families that become eligible and are brought “under the policy’s ambit” as a result of the revised income criterion.

Indicators for SDG 5 & 8

• Number of Appointments for Prioritized Groups: The article states that “widows and parentless applicants below 45 years of age” will be given preference. A key indicator would be the number and proportion of appointments given to these specific groups, particularly widows, to measure progress on gender-focused economic participation (Target 5.5) and employment for vulnerable groups (Target 8.5).
• Relaxation of Appointment Quota: The “one-time relaxation in the 5% ceiling on compassionate appointments” is a specific policy action. The number of appointments made under this relaxation can be counted as an indicator of the government’s commitment to providing employment beyond existing limitations.

Indicators for SDG 16

• Policy Amendment and Implementation: The approval and implementation of the “key amendments to the existing ‘Compassionate Employment Policy'” itself serves as a qualitative indicator of institutional effectiveness and responsiveness (Target 16.6). Future reviews or further amendments would also serve as indicators.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com