1|Page

Sustainability in Atmanirbhar Bharat –

The Way Forward

Dr. Suhita Mukhopadhyay

CS LLB, Managing Partner
Intellex Legaal Sollutions (LLP)
New Delhi

Abstract: The socio-economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 gave rebirth to
the philosophy of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat (English meaning Self-Reliant India). This time it was
launched as a campaign mode, i.e. ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ by Prime Minister (PM)
Narendra Modi on May 12, 2020. He further, reassured that at the core Aatma Nirbhar Bharat is
to create wealth and values not only for ourselves but for the larger humanity as India always
believed in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. The concept of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self reliant India)
will be complete only if we care about not onlysocial and economic goals but also about the
environment and address climate change. The COVID-19 pandemic and the iniquitous impact of
the consequent lockdown reemphasizes the fact that sustainable development is the only way
forward. The present study is an attempt to integrate atmanirbhar concept to achieve sustainability
through various schemes and prgrammes of the Government .

Introduction
The 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development with 17 Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) and 169 associated targets encompasses a comprehensive developmental
agenda integrating social, economic and environmental dimensions. Several initiatives
have been taken at both the national and the sub national level to mainstream the SDGs
into the policies, schemes and programmes of the Government. India has taken several
proactive steps at both the national and the sub national level to mainstream the SDGs
into the policies, schemes and programmes of the Government.Prime Minister,
Narendra Modi launched a new campaign for building a self-reliant India,
Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The Self-Reliance signifies neither any exclusionary or
isolationist strategies but involves creation of a helping hand to the whole world.

It has the following elements:

 Strengthening of the entire supply chain related to farming.
 Rationalisation of the tax system, simple, clear and good laws;
 Good infrastructure;
 Capable and competent human resources;
 Strong financial system;
 Strengthening the make in India program
2|Page

To accelerate SDG achievements, the country has adopted the approach of cooperative and
competitive federalism which is based on Centre-State collaboration in nation building and
healthy competition among the States in various development outcomes. In Atmanirbhar
Bharat the Government has been trying to manage resources through various Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) and self‐reliance are now the only way‐outs to overcome global
adversities. Sustainable development in India encompasses a variety of development schemes
in social, cleantech (clean energy, clean water and sustainable agriculture) and human
resources segments, having caught the attention of both Central and State governments and
also public and private sectors.

Sustainable Development:
The concept of Sustainable Development is not a new concept. This doctrine came to be
known as early as in 1972 in the Stockholm Declaration which stated:

―Man has the fundamental right to freedom , equality and adequate conditions of life in an
environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and wellbeing and he bears a solemn
responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present and future generation.
Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable to ensure that it meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own
needs.

Over the last decade, India has been a frontline contributor to the fight against climate change
and has surfaced as a global economic power. The beginning of which can be traced back to
the COP26 summit, where our Prime Minister committed that India would achieve ‗net zero‘
carbon emissions by 2070. The launch of ‗Mission LiFE‘- Lifestyle for Environment, further
pushed all Indian citizens to come forward and take steps towards an environmentally
conscious life setting a fertile base for India to grow sustainably in the coming future.

New India also professes equality of all genders. The leaders of the nation are promoting
equal participation and representation of women at all workplaces by providing them fair and
equal opportunities and ensuring their upliftment through various schemes and programs such
as ‗Beti Bachao Beti Padhao‘. To turn India‘s massive population into its biggest asset, the
3|Page

focus has been shifted to investing in education and multiple child welfare schemes, that
ensure access to basic education. New India strongly believes in its youth and empowers
them to perform to the best of their capability and allows them to nurture their interests and
state their opinions.

Government of India policies in direction of achieving Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs).

These include the following :

 Swachh Bharat Mission: (SBM-G) programme led to the construction of over 10

crore individual household toilets, taking sanitation coverage from 39% in 2014 to
100% in 2019 when around 6 lakh villages declared themselves Open Defecation Free
(ODF). This led to significant economic, environmental and health impacts,
contributing to the empowerment of women in particular and it also led to the
achievement of SDG 6.2 (Sanitation and Hygiene), 11 years ahead of the stipulated
timeline.
The Government of India in February 2020, approved Phase-II of the SBM-G with a
total outlay of Rs. 1,40,881 crores to focus on the sustainability of the ODF status and
to cover the villages with Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) that would
transform villages from ODF to ODF Plus by 2024-25.

 Beti Bacho Beti Padhao: This Scheme of Govt. of India which captures the attention
of national consciousness towards valuing the girl child was launched on 22nd
January, 2015 to address the issue of decline in Child Sex Ratio (CSR) in the country
along with related issues of empowerment of girls and women, over a life cycle
continuum. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is the Nodal
Ministry and principally responsible for planning and implementation of the scheme.
As the Government paves way for building the road for an equitable society, our
country will be richer in terms of ‗Amrit Kaal‘ and in achieving Sustainable
Development Goals.

 Pradhan Mantri AwasYojana: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U),

a flagship Mission of Government of India is being implemented by Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).. The Mission addresses urban housing
4|Page

shortage among the EWS/LIG and MIG categories including the slum dwellers by
ensuring a pucca house to all eligible urban households.

 Smart Cities: The objective of Smart City Mission is to promote cities that provide
core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and
sustainable environment through the application of 'Smart' solutions. The Smart Cities
Mission helpsto drive economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by
enabling local area development and harnessing technology, especially technology
that leads to Smart outcomes.

 Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
PMJDY is a National Mission on Financial Inclusion which includes an integrated
approach for comprehensive financial inclusion of all households in the country. It is
envisaged to provide banking facilities. Apart from this, the beneficiaries will be
given a Rupee debit card which includes an accident insurance cover of one lakh
rupees. This scheme envisages systematization of all government (Centre / State /
Local body) benefits in the beneficiary's account and furthering the Direct Benefit
Transfer (DBT) scheme of the Central Government.
 Pradhan Mantri UjjwalaYojana: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
(MOPNG), introduced the ‗Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana‘ (PMUY) as a flagship
scheme with an objective to make clean cooking fuel such as LPG available to the
rural and deprived households which were otherwise using traditional cooking fuels
such as firewood, coal, cow-dung cakes etc. Usage of traditional cooking fuels had
detrimental impacts on the health of rural women as well as on the environment.
Government of India has approved release of additional 75 lakh connections under
PMUY Scheme, taking overall target under the scheme to 10.35 Crore,

Other Major Endeavours for Sustainability in Atmanirbhar Bharat

The pandemic has challenged the health infrastructure, adversely impacted livelihoods and
exacerbated the inequality in the food and nutritional availability in the country. This has
reemphasized the criticality of having institutions and mechanisms that can facilitate the
country to absorb exogenous shocks well.
5|Page

There are three dimensions of sustainability namely Economic, Socio and environmental
which have the potential to lead India to a sustainable future.

The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan witnessed Government taking few recovery steps to fulfil
sustainable goals.

Economic sustainability:

 Collateral free loan of Rs 3 lakh crores for MSMEs — This enabled almost 45 lakh
units to restart work and save jobs.
 Subordinate debt provision of Rs 20,000 cr for 2 lakh stressed MSMEs and Rs 50,000
crore equity infusion via Mother fund-Daughter fund for viable MSMEs needing
handholding- This helped in expanding the capacity and grow.
 Rs 30,000 crore special liquidity scheme was launched for investing in investment
grade debt paper of NBFCs, HFCs and MFIs- This helped funding for MSME.
 Rs 45,000 crore partial credit guarantee scheme 2.0 for NBFCs. The first 20% loss
was to be borne by the guarantor that is government of India- This provided economic
stability to MSME sector.
 For Discoms, a one-time emergency liquidity injection of Rs. 90,000 crore against all
their receivables. This provided economic stability to electricity distribution
companies.
 Rs 10,000 crore fund for micro food scheme was executed with cluster based
approach. This benefitted 2 lakh Micro Food Enterprises. For instance, Bihar had
Makhana cluster, Kashmir had Kesar cluster, Telangana had Turmeric cluster, Andhra
had chilli cluster.- This provided Economic stability and growth opportunity to micro
small and medium sector.

Social Sustainability:

 For those migrants who did not have NFSA cards or state cards, 5 Kgs of wheat or
rice per person and one kg channa per family per month for two months were
provided through the state governments. This benefitted around 8 crore migrants- by
providing Food security, Zero hunger.
 National Portability Ration Cards were implemented in any ration shops that was
applicable across the country. By August 2020, 67 cr beneficiaries in 23 states or 83%
6|Page

of all PDS beneficiaries got covered. By March 2021, 100 per cent was covered- This
step provide food for all, zero Hunger.
 PM Awas Yojaana, scheme for rental housing for migrant workers provided
incentives to private manufacturing units and industrial units to develop affordable
housing, converting govt funded houses into affordable renting accommodations for
migrant workers. This provides Shelter for all enabling Sustainable cities &
Communities development.
 Those who availed loans up to Rs 50,000, an interest subvention of 2% for 12 months
were given after the moratorium period extended by RBI ended. Three crore people
got benefit of Rs 1500 crore.- This helped in Poverty alleviation
 Rs 6,000 crore was allotted under Compensatory afforestation fund. This enabled
Tribal people in getting employment , in forest management, wildlife
protection/management and other forest related activities. – This helped
in Sustainable livelihood, poverty alleviation
 Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana was introduced for development of marine
and inland fisheries. Rs 20,000 crore was spent to fill the gaps in value chains. This
lead to an additional fish production of 70 lakh tons in next five years and provided
employment to 55 lakh people- Helped in building Sustainable livelihood, poverty
alleviation, Strengthening ecosystem services.
 Rs 13,343 crore was allotted for vaccination of livestock in India to eradicate foot and
mouth disease- This provided Good health & Well being
 Rs 15,000 crore was spent on ramping up the dairy infrastructure. Also, investments
were made in cattle feed- Promoted good health & Well being
 Rs 500 crore had been allocated for beekeeping. This helped 2 lakh beekeepers-
Helped building social ecosystem services
 Rs 500 crore was infused for Operation Greens that extended beyond tomatoes,
potatoes and onion and was applicable to all vegetables- This promoted good health &
Well being
 Defence-Indigenization of imported spares, separate budget provisioning for domestic
capital procurement- provided decent work, Skilling & job opportunities for locals.
 Boosting private sector investment in Social Infrastructure through revamped
Viability Gap Funding Scheme of Rs 8,100 crores.- provided Good health, quality
education, urban connectivity.

Environmental Sustainability:

Things that we depend upon and value — water, energy, transportation, wildlife,
agriculture, ecosystems, and human health — are experiencing the effects of a changing
climate. The environmental problems of our time are both time-sensitive and evolving,
and have to be addressed in good faith, in a timely manner with 360-degree perspective
& application of the best science on hand.

Tackling Climate Change and Practicing Environment Sustainability must be woven in

India‗s Vision for ―Atmanirbhar Bharat‖. The legacy of past efforts by Indian government for
socio economic development of the country can be further leveraged to build country‘s
capacity for tackling climate or pandemic shocks. Climate change adversely influences
 7|Page

health in a number of ways; it threatens food and water security, worsens air pollution, causes
heat-related adverse effects on health and economic well-being, and intensifies infectious &
vector borne diseases like dengue , malaria etc.

Government has been taking several steps under National Action Plan on Climate Change
(NAPCC) and Human Health for reducing climate sensitive illnesses through integration with
other missions.

i. Increasing share of Renewable Energy and Green jobs”

and Rebooting energy mix

Energy expenditures for the large energy-consuming countries have been significantly
reduced due to the collapse in oil prices. India which is the world‘s third-largest energy
consumer can now use these savings to be reinvested in a more diversified renewable energy
system and Low carbon transport system such as electric mobility.

ii. Decentralized Renewable Energy Technologies

Solar Roof Top system or energy storage technologies can strengthen the health care
operations/ hospitals economically by cutting their power utility service bills. There is an
opportunity to reboot the system in a way to achieve energy security and invest in an
economic recovery that accelerates the clean energy transition – including renewable energy,
cutting emissions from fossil fuels, introducing electric vehicles with charging infrastructure
and building human capital for the future energy and transport system by profiling them for
green jobs. Government has been investing on building green jobs as part of economic
recovery plan.

iii. Regulated Use of Plastics:

The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the dependence on plastic-based health
care equipment and protection kits as these are the need of the hour. Proper disposal of bio-
medical waste is already a norm being enforced effectively by the government. Authorities
have taken concrete initiatives in curbing plastic manufacturing and engorged recycling
material through various regulations. It is time new material research with less toxicity level
to the environment is promoted under government policies.

iv. Build state of the art SMART grid systems

The pandemic had created dependence in teleworking and home schooling. Work from home
had become the new normal and dependence not only on the internet but also on an
affordable and reliable electricity supply rose. Electricity networks have helped to get
through the current crisis, but they are not ready for swift changes in user categories from
industrial to residential consumption and to a more electrified requirement in future in which
renewable energy will account for a rising share of power generation.
India‘s National Mission for SMART GRID launched in 2017 has been given a further
impetus to cater the requirement of reliable electricity supply in the country .India‗s key role
as secretariat of ―International Solar Alliance‖ should accelerate innovations in technology
for SMART Grid operations. Investment to strengthen our grids and to integrate smart digital
technologies in their operation should be a priority for government action.
 8|Page

v. Some of the steps taken for reusability, recyclability, and recovery:

 Favourable regulations and standards for environmental benefits and sustainable
growth
 Skills upgrade and digitalization
 Efficient waste management and infrastructure
 Agile and efficient supply chains
 Establishment and regulation of the market for secondary raw materials
 Collaboration across and integration of value chains
 Education and awareness among key stakeholders

Investments by Government for Environment Sustainability

 The Government allotted One lakh crore fund for strengthening the farm gate
infrastructure like cold chains, post harvest storage infrastructures etc- This helps in
extending end of life, Resource conservation.
 Rs 4,000 crore was allotted for growing of herbal and medicinal plants. Ten lakh
hectares of land was proposed to be used for growing medicinal and herbal plants that
would provide income of nearly Rs 5,000 crore for farmers
 Government introduced the commercial mining of coal. India needed to reduce import
of substitutable coal and increase self-reliance in coal production. This helped
in reducing scope 3 CO2 emissions resulting out of Coal transportation.
 The investment of Rs. 50,000 crores was done for the evacuation of enhanced CIL's
(Coal India Limited) target of 1 billion tons of coal production by 2023-24 plus coal
production from private blocks. This helped in reducing almost 8 Mn tons of CO2
emission resulting out of transportation of imported coal.
 Government is working hard to make India a global hub for aircraft maintenance,
repair and overhaul which would help in up skilling & creating job opportunities for
locals, Emission reduction resultant of imported spares.

Climate risk insurance is an important tool for providing security against loss of livelihoods
and of assets as a consequence of disasters. The basic risk faced by agriculturalists is that of
weather variability and the uncertainty of crop yield. The magnitude and intensity of the same
is especially high in India, considering that an overwhelming majority of farmers who
excessively depend on the farming sector have extremely limited means and resources to
cope with the disastrous consequences of crop failure. Thus, given the significant
contribution of the agricultural sector in the Indian economy, coupled with looming ―climatic
aberrations,‖ crop insurance becomes a necessity to mitigate the risks associated with a
majority of the country‘s farmers. The Government has been taking active steps towards
Climate Risk Insurance. The example of the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring
Centre‘s Varuna Mitra which has not only benefitted 3.5 lakh farmers through its weather
advisories but also provides data to insurers at panchayat scale to improve pay-outs to
farmers is a case in point.
9|Page

The effort of the International Solar Alliance in solar energy revolution is noteworthy and it
has brought to fruition the ‗One Sun One World One Grid’ vision laid down by the
Hon‘ble Prime Minister of India.

There is an increasing recognition that the sustainable macroeconomic development should

entail an alignment of both climate and economic policies to the extent possible. India‘s
endeavour is to ensure a robust growth and a sustainable development path while combating
the climate change risks on best effort basis. India has taken a number of initiatives on both
mitigation and adaptation strategies with emphasis on clean and efficient energy system;
resilient urban infrastructure; water conservation & preservation; safe, smart & sustainable
green transportation network; planned afforestation, as well as by supporting various sectors
such as agriculture, forestry, coastal and low-lying systems and disaster management. ISA
and CDRI are evidence of India‘s serious action at the international level.

Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development

With over 65% of our country under 35 years of age, more than 1.4 million schools and
10,500 engineering and related institutions, a whopping 39,000 colleges and universities,
India enjoys a demographic dividend like no other in the world. Government has been
focusing on developing vocational, technical and managerial skills, while fostering a culture
of innovation and entrepreneurship at the school, university and industry levels. Innovative
ways of leveraging emerging digital technologies can create and promote such ecosystems.
This presents a huge opportunity for hundreds of edtech startups to build and leverage
wireless, 5G communication, mobile AR/VR, and AI technologies to power the same.

Undisputedly, innovation and entrepreneurship will be key to ensuring the development of

both physical as well as digital infrastructure across all these regions in the country. The
nation has witnessed the establishment of smart villages and several hundred smart cities to
become active hubs of livelihood enablement, innovation, and job creation. Smart water
management, transportation, energy management, and housing present tremendous
opportunities for innovations and startups.

The pillar of demand presents an unprecedented opportunity for Make in India in every
industry. There has been an increasing number of challenges launched by various
ministries—MeitY, AIM (Atal New India Challenges), DST (Kawach), DBT BIRAC
(biotech challenges)—as well as Covid-19 challenges for preventive assistive solutions,
spurring a remarkable slew of innovative solutions. The recent announcements of private
sector participation for innovations in the space and defence sectors open up a flood of new
opportunities for the MSME industry. The recently launched Bharat App Innovation
Challenge by MeitY, MyGov, and Atal Innovation Mission is a welcome step to identify and
create world-class apps that can be used by the rest of the world too.
10 | P a g e

Self-Reliant India is taking huge leaps and making advances every day in the field of
healthcare not only through infrastructure development but also by employing Artificial
Intelligence (AI) to its best use. At the same time, Indian doctors and scientists are on a
continuous hunt for further sustainable and affordable medical services and technologies. The
use of AI in agriculture has proved to be a game-changer. Over 7000 farmers are using AI to
monitor the health of their crops, control quality and test their yield.

The best multinationals of the world are leveraging Indian talent and rushing to set up large
R&D hubs in India. Aatmanirbhar Bharat has now turned the gaze of this world-class
innovative talent inwards, to create products and services for the Indian market at par with
other countries. Catalysing this stupendous potential are affordable, accessible, advanced IR
4.0 technologies, including 3D printing, IOT, AR/VR, biotech, cognitive computing,
AI/Blockchain, to name a few. With one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems—over
30,000 startups and 250 incubators—India can surely position itself as one of the leading
innovative nations of the world.

Challenges

India has recognized that its path of development must be one which places adequate
emphasis on all the three pillars of sustainable development, namely, economic, social and
environmental. A great deal of stress is also being laid upon the inter-generational equity in
regard to the emerging climate actions proposed to be taken by the present generation.
However, the imperatives of the intra-generational equity, i.e., eradication of poverty and
equitable social and economic development cannot be brushed aside. The implementation of
the climate targets is intertwined with global and national economic scenario. The national
circumstances demand that the first priority for India be adaptation, being a country highly
vulnerable to extreme weather events.

Climate change impacts are expected to worsen with the passage of time because of the
momentum due to carbon stock continuing to increase the temperature. Hence, India‘s
adaptation efforts will have to be further intensified and with that the adaptation costs will
increase. The country is relying on domestic resources to implement adaptation and
mitigation action on mission mode. The financing considerations will therefore remain
critical especially as the country steps up the targets substantially.
11 | P a g e

Availability of adequate financial resources required to implement wide-ranging Sustainable

goals presents a major challenge.

Sometimes there is delay in getting permission from government officials due to inefficiency
of government employees so that many important research projects not get permission on
time and vision of atmanirbhar bharat is not fulfilled

The main challenge faced by companies is in supply chains, which increased delay in the
service, the effect on logistics, and also cause the effect on imports. The significant
challenges of the supply chain are disruptions in imports, delays, affected logistics, reaching
to customers, and fewer returns on investment. It discourages production, manufacturing of
goods, and services in the economy.

Conclusion and Policy Recommendations:

Aatmanirbhar Bharat provides a truly watershed moment in our history to ignite the
innovative entrepreneurial spirit of New India by focusing on strengthening the above pillars,
which will ensure an unprecedented wave of long-deserved growth, prosperity and well-being
that can serve the interests of the rest of the world as well and achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals.(SDGs).

Atmarnirbhar Bharat while promoting investment opportunities should encourage sustainable

entrepreneurship, which is the need of the present day world, where activities are driven
on the basis of fulfilling the goals of sustainable development. India should create a
conducive environment to encourage private investment, startups etc., which uses
environment friendly methods of productive activities. India with the second largest populous
country enjoying a demographic dividend has several advantages over other countries, one
such being a large market for goods.

Startups can help in dealing with educated unemployment. India should make use of its
human capital by providing them with skill development, entrepreneurial setup that
encourages brainstorming and innovation.

To achieve better employment opportunities and growth, the education system should stress
more on passion-driven careers for students rather than succumbing to societal and
parental pressure. The educational institutions should collaborate with advanced institutes
across the country and world. This will work as a motivating strategy and investment in skill
enhancement and overall personality building can help the students to face the demanding job
market.

The government should encourage new entrepreneurs by creating convenient investing

environment with adequate funding and also various tax and other incentives. Special
additional incentives should be provided to those entrepreneurs who invest in green
technology green innovations and green enterprises which promote sustainable employment
12 | P a g e

opportunities which in turn can take India forward to be Atmanirbhar in its future
endeavours.

Indeed the government‘s call for atma nirbharta (self-reliance) has acquired a new salience
and ironically, achieving it requires astute global interlinkages and perhaps even more dense
global networks for a country that houses a sixth of humanity. Trusted connectivity,
diversified sources of materials and components and resilient financial and trading
arrangements are no longer buzzwords but a strategic imperative requiring all of India‘s
consensus, including within its business community, lawmakers and all stakeholders.

*******

Reference:

1. EPW, Vol. 45, Issue No. 06, 06 Feb, 2010, Crop Insurance in India: Changes and
Challenges; https://www.epw.in/journal/2010/06/commentary/crop-insurance-india
changes-and-challenges.html
2. Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan . https://www. investindia.gov.in/atmanirbhar-
bharatabhiyaan (accessed 04 22, 20211). [2] AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. https://
aatmanirbharbharat.mygov.in/ (accessed 04 22, 2021). [3] Bhattacharji, Chetan.
"―Atmanirbhar Bharat: Missing a Focus on Air Pollution and Climate Change,."
Observer Research Foundation, no. 375 (July 2020).
3. Knockaert, S. & Maillefert, M. (2004). What Is Sustainable Employment? The Example
ofEnvironmental Jobs. Natures SciencesSociétés, 12, 135-145.https://www.cairn-
int.info/journal--2004-2-page-135.htm. Accessed on 23 June 2022
4. Govt. (2020). Building Atmanirbhar Bharat &Overcoming COVID-19. Available
from:https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/buildingatmanirbhar-bharat-
overcomingcovid-19.Accessed on 23 June 2022.
5. ttps://www.cbgaindia.org/blog/tackling-climate-change-practicing-environment-
sustainability-must-woven-indias-vision-atmanirbhar-bharat/
6. Press Information Bureau Government of India Ministry of Finance
04 JUL 2019 12:08PM by PIB Delhi
―India follows a holistic approach towards its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)‖