MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (1 MARK)

     The worst affected groups in rural areas facing food insecurity are :

• landless people (b)  traditional  artisans (c) beggars               (d)  all  the above

Ans. (d)

     MSP refers  to :

• Minimum Support Price (b) Maximum Support  Price

(c)  Marginal  Support Price                             (d)  None of the  above

Ans. (a)

         Green Revolution in the 1960s was associated with :

• use of HYV seeds (b)  tree  plantation programme

(c)  fisheries development                              (d) none of the   above

Ans. (a)

     Public Distribution System is associated with    :

• fair price shops (b)  cooperative stores   (c)  super bazars      (d)  none of the above

 

 

 

 

     Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) aimed to provide benefits to :

• cities (b)  remote and backward  areas

(c)  self-help groups                                        (d)  cooperative societies

Ans. (b)

     White Revolution of the country is associated with :

• sugar (b) milk                       (c) paper                      (d)  none of the above

Ans. (b)

     Annapurna Scheme (APS) meets the food requirements of :

• indigent senior citizens (b) children

(c)  pregnant ladies                                         (d)  young persons

Ans. (a)

     Antyodaya cards are related  to

• all poors (b) poorest of the   poor

(c)  persons  below poverty line                      (d) none of the   above

Ans. (b)

     Antyodaya Anna Yojana  (AAY)  and Annapurna Scheme (APS) are linked with   :

• public distribution system (b)  mid-day meal

(c)  special nutrition programme                     (d) none of the   above

Ans. (a)

         Under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) foodgrains given per family per month  is :

(a)  40 kg                     (b) 35 kg                    (c) 25 kg                     (d)  20 kg

Ans. (b)

         In which state 94% ration shops are run by cooperatives

• Andhra Pradesh (b) Tamil Nadu           (c) Orissa                    (d) Bihar

Ans. (b)

         Average consumption of PDS grains per person per month at all India level is :

(a)  1 kg                       (b) 4 kg                      (c) 300 gm                  (d)  500 gm

Ans. (a)

         The society which facilitated setting up of grain banks in different regions is :

• Amul (Gujarat)
• Academy of Development Science (Maharashtra)
• Mother Dairy (Delhi) (d)  None of the  above

Ans. (b)

         Minimum Support Price (MSP) is announced by the government to provide :

• incentives to farmers for raising  production
• incentives to traders to earn maximum profit from  farmers
• incentives to moneylenders to lend maximum to  farmers
• none of  the above

 

 

 

 

         Seasonal hunger occurs in  :

• urban areas (b) rural areas             (c) metro cities            (d) both (a) and   (b)

Ans. (b)

         Which crop registered the largest increase in production as a result of Green Revolution?

• wheat (b) rice                        (c) maize                     (d)  none of the above

Ans. (a)

         Main purpose of buffer stock scheme is    :

• to save food grains from  pest attack       (b) to stop price   fluctuations

(c)  to meet the crisis of    low production       (d) both (b) and   (c)

Ans. (d)

         Under Antyodaya Anna Yojana  (AAY),  subsidised rate for wheat is    :

• Rs 3/- per kg (b)  Rs 2/- per kg        (c)  Rs 4/- per kg         (d)  Rs 5/- per kg

Ans. (b)

         Food  security  means :

• availability of food (b)  accessibility  of food

(c)  affordability of food                                (d)  all the above

Ans. (d)

         Massive starvation takes place due to    :

• rise in the price of essential commodities  (b) decline in production of foodgrains

(c)  drought                                                     (d)  both (a) and  (b)

Ans. (c)

         Chronic  hunger refers  to :

• low income (b) inadequate quantity of   food

(c)   inadequate  quality of food                      (d)  all  the above

Ans. (d)

         The most devastating famine occurred in India in 1943 in :                         [CBSE 2010]

• Assam (b) Bengal                   (c) Bihar                      (d) Orissa

Ans. (b)

         In which of the following states do we find the largest number of foodinsecure people?

[CBSE 2010]

• Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa (b) Bihar, Jharkhand and   Gujarat

(c)  Bihar, Madhya Pradesh  and Tamilnadu   (d)  Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka

Ans. (a)

         In which state of India, Amul Dairy    is situated?                                            [CBSE 2010]

• Rajasthan (b) Gujarat                  (c) Karnataka              (d) Bihar

Ans. (b)

         Who released a special stamp entitled ‘Wheat Revolution’ in July 1968?      [2011 (T-2)]

• Mahatma Gandhi (b) Indira Gandhi

(c)  Jawaharlal Nehru                                      (d)  Motilal Nehru

Ans. (b)

 

 

 

 

         The price that is announced before the sowing season is called:                    [2011 (T-2)]

• Issue price (b)  Fair price

(c)  Market price                                             (d)  Minimum  support price

Ans. (d)

         To  whom the yellow card   is issued?                                                                   [2011 (T-2)]

• To shop keeper (b)  To  land lord’s

(c)  To  government employee                         (d) People below the poverty   line

Ans. (d)

         Which are the special target groups    in Antyodaya Anna Yojana?                 [2011 (T-2)]

• Poorest of the poor                                  (b)  Poor  and non-poor

(c)  Backward class                                         (d)  None  of these

Ans. (a)

         Food for Work  Programme  was launched in which  of the  following  years?[2011   (T-2)]

(a)  2003                      (b) 2001                     (c) 2004                      (d) 2005

Ans. (c)

         Kalahandi is situated in which of the    following states?                                   [2011 (T-2)]

• Orissa (b) Punjab                   (c) Rajasthan               (d) Bihar

Ans. (a)

         The Mother Dairy is an important    cooperative in                        .                   [2011 (T-2)]

• Gujarat (b) Punjab                   (c) Haryana                 (d) Delhi

Ans. (d)

         Women and children under the age of five are food insecure population due to :

[2011 (T-2)]

• Malnutrition (b)  Healthy diet

(c)  Fats                                                           (d) None of the   above

Ans. (a)

         F.C.I. stands for                                                                                                   [2011 (T-2)]

• Foreign Co-operation with India (b) Food Corporation of  India

(c)  Fosilse Corporation  of India                    (d)  Food Coming to India

Ans. (b)

         Which among the following schemes was started in the year 2000 for the indigent senior citizens ?   [2011 (T-2)]

• PDS (b) NFWP                   (c) SGSY                     (d) APS

Ans. (d)

         Name the cooperative that provides milk and vegetables controlled rate decided by the Government  of Delhi :                                                                                                                        [2011 (T-2)]

• Amul (b)  Kendriya  Bhandar  (c) Mother Dairy      (d)  None  of these

Ans. (c)

         Which among the following schemes was initiated for the poor in all areas? [2011 (T-2)]

• TPDS (b) RPDS                    (c) AAY                      (d)  All of these

Ans. (d)

 

 

 

 

       Buffer stock is the stock of foodgrains procured by the government through

[2011 (T-2)]

• IFCI (b) FCI                        (c) IDBI                       (d) FICCI

Ans. (b)

       In which part of the country, grain banks have been set up by NGO’s?        [2011 (T-2)]

• Gujarat (b) Haryana                (c) Punjab                   (d) Maharashtra

Ans. (d)

       When  was  the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme launched?                               [2011 (T-2)]

• In Jan 1999 (b)  In May 2000        (c)  In Dec 2000          (d)  In  October 2005

Ans. (c)

       Percentage of seasonal as well as chronic hunger in India over the years has

[2011 (T-2)]

• increased (b) decreased              (c)  remained constant   (d) None of   these

Ans. (b)

       The concept of ‘entitlements’ was introduced   by :                                             [2011 (T-2)]

• Pranab Mukharjee   (b) Amartya Sen       (c) Manmohan Singh  (d)  Sonia Gandhi

Ans. (b)

       Which institution was set up by Maharashtra Academy of Development Science to facilitate  a  network of NGO’s?                                                                                                             [2011 (T-2)]

• Gramin banks (b)  Grain banks

(c)  Co-operative banks                                   (d)  Commercial banks

Ans.	(b)
Q.43.	Who is the nodal officer at district    level? (a)  Commissioner	(b)  Superintendent  of police	[2011 (T-2)]
	(c)  District officer	(d) Collector
Ans.	(d)

         In year 2000 which of the following programmes was launched?                    [2011 (T-2)]

• APS (b) NREGA                (c) PDS                        (d) PMGY

Ans. (a)

         In which of the following years was the food grain stock with the FCI the maximum?

[2011 (T-2)]

(a)  2001                      (b) 2009                     (c) 2002                      (d) 2000

Ans. (c)

       Which are the two places in Orissa where starvation deaths are reported? [2011 (T-2)]

• Kalahandi and Puri (b)  Kashipur  and Bhubaneshwar

(c)   Kalahandi and Kashipur                          (d)  Puri  and Bhubaneshwar

Ans. (c)

         Which of the following places of Jharkhand witnessed starvation death recently?

[2011 (T-2)]

• Dhanbad (b) Ranchi                  (c) Palamau                 (d) Puri

Ans. (c)

 

 

 

 

         In which year was the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) introduced?

[2011 (T-2)]

(a)  1965                      (b) 1975                     (c) 1985                      (d) 1995

Ans. (b)

         NREGA provides :                                                                                               [2011 (T-2)]

• 200-days of assured work (b)  100-days of assured  work

(c)  No assured work                                      (d) None of the   above

Ans. (b)

         In which decades was the Rationing System introduced in India?                  [2011 (T-2)]

(a)  1940s                     (b) 1950s                    (c) 1960s                     (d) 1970s

Ans. (a)

Chapter 4 Food Security in India

Social Science Economics [Class IX]

Content’s

• Concept’s of Food Security in India Class 9th Social Science Economics
• Notes of Food Security in India Class 9th Social Science Economics
• NCERT Textbook Questions Solution’s of Food Security in India Class 9th Social Science Economics
• Multiple Choice Questions [Solved] [1 Marks] of Food Security in India Class 9th Social Science Economics
• SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS) of Food Security in India Class 9th Social Science Economics
• LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (4 MARKS) of Food Security in India Class 9th Social Science Economics

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS

Questions Within The Lesson

   (a)   Why is agriculture a seasonal   activity?

• Why is Ramu unemployed for about four months in a year?
• What does Ramu do when he is  unemployed?
• Who are supplementing income in Ramu’s  family?
• Why does Ramu face difficulty when he is unable to get work?
• When is Ramu food insecure?

Ans. (a)  Agriculture is a seasonal occupation because farmars remain out of work for 4 to 5 months in  a year.

• Because Ramu works as a casual labourer in agriculture. Agriculture being a seasonal activity, Ramu gets works only during the times of sowing, transplanting and harvesting. He remains unemployed for about 4 months during the period of plant cultivation and maturing in a
• He looks for work in other activities such as construction activities, brick laying etc. in the
• Ramu’s three sons and food grower also work on the field. His wife works as a house cleaner for the livestock, removing and managing cow
• Ramu is food insecure during 4 months when he remains

     (a)   Does Ahmed have a regular income from   rickshaw-pulling?

(b) How does the yellow card help Ahmed run his family even with small earnings from rickshaw-pulling?

Ans.  (a)   No, Ahmed’s earning from rickshaw-pulling fluctuates every   day.

(b)  With his yellow card, Ahmed gets sufficient quantity of wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene  oil for his daily requirements. He gets these essential items at half of the market price.      In this way, Ahmed is able to manage his family even with small earnings.

       Graph 4.1 : Production of Food grains in India (Million Tonnes)

Source : Economic Survey   2004-05.

Study  the Graph 4.1 and answer the following questions    :

• In which year did our country cross the 200 million tonnes per year mark in food grain produciton?
• In which decade did India experience the highest decadal increase in food grain production?
• Is production increase consistent in India since  2000-01?

Ans. (a)        In 2001-02 (212.9 million tonnes) in 20.3-04 (213.5 million tonnes)

(b)  During 1980-81 to  1990-91

(c)  No.

      Graph 4.2 : Central Food grains (Wheat + Rice) Stock and Minimum Buffer Norm (Million Tonnes)

Study  the Graph 4.2 and answer the following questions    :

1. In which recent year food grain stock with the government was maximum?
2. What is the minimum buffer stock norm for the FCI?
3. Why were the FCI granaries overflowing with food grains? Ans.    In 2002
4. 3 million tonnes
5. Because poor people were not able to buy

QUESTIONS IN THE EXERCISE

                        When is food security ensured   ?

Ans. Food security is ensured under the following conditions :

• When food is available in adequate quantity as well as quality to meet nutritional requirements.
• When food is within the reach of every
• When an individual has enough money to buy sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet one’s dietary

                                                                                              Which are the people more  prone to   food insecurity?                                                                             [Important] Ans.  People more prone to food insecurity are   :

• Landless and  small farmers
• Traditional artisans
• Providers of  traditional services
• Petty self-employed persons and
• Beggars

                        Which states are more foodinsecure in India? Ans. More food insecure states of    India:

The states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are more food-insecure in India.

• Do you believe that Green Revolution has made India self-sufficient in foodgrains? How? After Independence, Indian policy-makers adopted all possible measures to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains. India adopted a new strategy in agriculture which resulted in

the Green Revolution. Green Revolution took place especially in the production of wheat and rice. The core of this new strategy was the use of HYV seeds along with chemical fertilizer and assured water supplies. As a result, total production of foodgrains increased from 50.8 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 212.0 million tonnes in 2003-04. The largest contribution came from wheat, whose production rose from 6.4 million tonnes to 72.1 million tonnes.

     A section of people in India are still without food. Explain.

Ans. Despite large increase in foodgrain production we find people without food in India. Poor people suffer from chronic hunger. They find themselves unable to buy food. Over one-fifth    of the country’s population still suffers from chronic    hunger.

     What happens to the supply of food when there is a disaster or a calamity?

Ans. The supply of food is adversely affected during a natural calamity or disaster. Due to a natural calamity, say drought, the production of food grains is less and hence supply decreases.

• Differentiate between seasonal  hunger and chronic                             [Important] Ans. Hunger has seasonal and chronic dimensions. Seasonal hunger is a consequence of seasonal nature of work. For example, agriculture in India is seasonal occupation. Farm labourers remain out of work during some months of the year. Hence, during off-season poor people   are

not able to buy food. On the other hand, chronic hunger exists among people who are not able to buy food because of their very low income. For example land less labourers earn very less   to earn enough for  food.

     What has our government done to provide food security for the poor? Discuss any two schemes launched by the  government.

Ans. Our government has undertaken a number of measures to provide food security for the poor.

A brief account of these measures is given below :

1. Maintenance of Buffer Our government maintains buffer stock of foodgrains through Food Corporation of India. The FCI purchases wheat and rice from the farmers in surplus states and stores in    granaries.
2. Public Distribution System (PDS). The food procured by the FCI is distributed among the poor through ration shops. Presently, there are about 4.6 lakh ration shops in the country.
3. Nutritional Programmes. In order to provide nutritional security, our government has launched various schemes. Mid-day meal scheme for schoolchildren, scheme for supply of foodgrains to scheduled castes/scheduled tribes and special nutrition programmes for pregnant/nursing mothers are examples of such

In 2000, two special schemes were launched. One, Antyodaya Anna Yojana and second, the Annapurna Schemes. The former relate to the poorest of the poor, while the latter targets indigent senior citizens. The functioning of these two schemes was linked with the PDS. Under AAY scheme, thirty-five kilograms of foodgrains are made available to each eligible family at a rate of Rs 2 per kg for wheat and Rs 3 per kg for rice.

Under APS, 10 kilograms of food grains is made available to eligible persons free of cost.

• Why is buffer stock created by the government?                                             [Important] Ans. The government creates buffer stock of foodgrains to protect the interest of both farmers as well as Farmers’ interests are protected when they are assured to get a certain

minimum price for their crops. This price is called ‘minimum support price’.

The interests of the consumers are protected when the procured food is made available to the consumers at subsidised rates. This task is done through fair price shops.

         Write  notes on :                                                                                                  [Important]

• Minimum Support Price
• Issue Price
• Fair Price Shops

Ans. (a)   Minimum  Support Price

With a view to provide incentives to the farmers for raising the production of their crops, the government announces price of some crops before the sowing season. The government remains ready to purchase their crops at these pre-announced prices. This price is called minimum support  price (MSP).

(b)  Issue Price

The purchased foodgrains are stored in granaries. This is done to distribute foodgrains among the poorer section of the society. The government makes foodgrains available to  the poor at a price much lower than the market price. This is known as issue price.

(c)  Fair Price Shops

The food procured by the government is distributed among the poor. This task is done through government regulated shops which are known as fair price shops.

• What are the problems of the functioning of ration shops? [Important] Ans. There are various problem of the functioning of ration shops such as ;

1. Ration cards are issued only to those people who have their proper residential addresses. Hence a large number of homeless poor fail to get ration from these
2. The owners of these shops sell ration in the open market at higher
3. Sometimes shopkeepers make bogus entries in the ration

         Write a note on the role of cooperatives in providing food and related items.

[Important]

Ans. Role of Cooperatives in providing food and related items is as follows:-

The cooperatives are playing an important role in food security in India, especially in the southern and western parts of the country. The cooperative societies set up shops to sell goods to the poor people at lower prices. For example, out of all fair price shops operating in Tamil Nadu, nearly 94 percent are being run by the cooperatives. In Delhi, Mother Dairy is providing milk and vegetables to the consumers at controlled prices which are decided by the Delhi Government. Amul is another example in this regard. It has brought about the White Revolution in the country. There are many more cooperatives and NGOs also working intensively towards this  direction.

 

CONCEPTS

• What is food security? Food security means availability, accessibility and affordability of food to all people at all
• Why food security? The poorest section of the society remains food insecure all the times. People above poverty line might also feel food insecure in times of natural calamity like earthquake, drought, flood, tsunami,
• Who are food-insecure? In rural areas, the worst affected people are : landless and small farmers, traditional artisans (weavers, potters, blacksmith ) providers  of  services  (e.g. barbers, washermen etc), petty self-employed workers and destitutes. In the urban areas, persons employed in ill-paid occupations and casual labourers are food insecure.

Large proportion of pregnant and nurshing mothers and children under the age of 5 years constitute an important segment of the food insecure population.

• Hunger has chronic and seasonal dimensions. Poor people suffer from chronic hunger and are food insecure all the times. Seasonal hunger is caused by the seasonal nature of agricultural activities in rural areas. In urban areas, seasonal hunger occurs because of the casual type of work. Thus, seasonal hunger exists when people are unable to get work for the whole year.
• Need for self-sufficiency in food grains. Our government since Independence realised the need to attain self-sufficiency in food grains because India experienced acute shortage of food grains after partition of the country in 1947. The need for self-sufficiency arises from the following :
  • to feed rising population (b)  to fight against droughts, floods, cyclone,

(c)  to  reduce  import  of food grains      (d) to control prices of food    grains.

• Food Security System in India. Since the advent of the Green Revolution in the 1960s the country has avoided famine, even during adverse weather conditions. India has become self-sufficient in food grains during the last 30 years because of the variety of crops grown all over the Also, we have developed a food security system.
• Buffer Buffer stock is the stock of food grains (wheat and rice) procured by the government through the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The FCI purchases wheat and rice for the government from the farmers of surplus states at pre-announced prices. This price is called ‘minimum support price’.

Ÿ Public Distribution System  (PDS)

PDS refers to a system through which the food procured by the FCI is distributed among the poor through government regulated ration shops. The consumers are issued ration cards.

Kinds of Ration Cards. There are three kinds of ration cards : (a) Antyodaya cards for the poorest of the poor, (b) BPL cards for those below poverty line and, (c) APL cards for those above poverty line.

Ÿ Three Important Food Intervention  Programmes.

In  the  wake  of  high  incidence  of  poverty  levels  in  mid-1970s,  three  important   food

intervention programmes were introduced   :

• Public Distribution System (in existence  earlier)
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in  1975
• Food for work in 1977-78.

In 2000, two special schemes were launched viz. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and the Annapurna scheme (APS) with special target groups of the poorest of the poor and indigent senior citizens, respectively.

• Excessive Food Stocks : In July 2002, the stock of wheat and rice with FCI was 63 million tonnes which was much more than the minimum buffer norms of 24.3 million tonnes. The stock reduced thereafter but always remained higher than the buffer
• Paradox of Excess Stocks and Starvation. In fact, India has experienced a paradoxical situation in recent years. While the granaries (godowns) of the government are overflowing with excess stocks of food, we also find people without food. The main reason for this unfortunate situation is that many poor families do not have enough money or income to buy food.

Economics

• Class 9th Social Science Economics: Chapter 1 The Story of Village Palampur
• Class 9th Social Science Economics: Chapter 2 People as Resources
• Class 9th Social Science Economics: Chapter 3 Poverty as a Challenge
• Class 9th Social Science Economics: Chapter 4 Food Security in India

Chapter 3 Poverty as a Challenge

Social Science Economics [Class IX]

Content’s

• Concept’s of Poverty as a Challenge Class 9th Social Science Economics
• Notes of Poverty as a Challenge Class 9th Social Science Economics
• NCERT Textbook Questions Solution’s of Poverty as a Challenge Class 9th Social Science Economics
• Multiple Choice Questions [Solved] [1 Marks] of Poverty as a Challenge Class 9th Social Science Economics
• SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS) of Poverty as a Challenge Class 9th Social Science Economics
• LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (4 MARKS) of Poverty as a Challenge Class 9th Social Science Economics

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (4 MARKS)

Q.1. What are the main features of poverty in India?
Ans. Features of Poverty in India :Following are the main features of poverty in India.
(1)Declining Trend : The proportion of people below poverty line in India had variations.
Poverty ratio increased during the decade of the 1970s. It decreased sharply during the
decade of the 1980s. During the decade of 1990s, there was first a rise following the
period of economic reforms and then a fall in the incidence of poverty. Since 1993-94, the
total number of the poor shows a declining trend.
(2)Inter-State Variations : Poverty is not equally distributed through the country. A recent
study shows that more than 90 per cent of India’s rural poor live in the states of Andhra
Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu,
Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Further, 50 per cent of India’s rural poor live in three
states (namely, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh). As against this, the poverty ratio
in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab and Haryana is quite low.
(3)Nature of Poverty : Poverty is visible both in our rural and urban areas. The rural poor
consist of people of low castes and tribal groups. The major group of the poor include
landless agricultural labourers, small and marginal farmers, rural artisans, etc.
In the urban sector, the poor include largely unemployed, underemployed or persons employed
in low productivity occupations such as rickshawpullers, cobblers, street vendors.
Q.2. Describe in brief the important poverty alleviation programmes undertaken by the
Government of India.
Ans. Poverty Alleviation Programmes of India :The important poverty alleviation programmes
which are in operation in rural and urban areas are :
(1)Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) : PMRY was launched on 2 October 1993. The
aim of this programme is to create self-employment opportunities for educated youth in
rural areas and small towns. They are helped in setting up small business and industries.
(2)Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) : SGSY was launched on 1 April,
1999. It aims at promoting enterprises at the village level. It helps the rural people to
organise themselves into self-help groups. The objective of SGSY is to bring the existing
poor families above the poverty line by providing them income generation assets through
a mix of bank credit and government subsidy.
(3)Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY) : PMGY was introduced in 2000. Its
objective is to focus on village level development in five critical areas, that is, primary
health, primary education, rural shelter, rural drinking water and rural roads. As a result
of this, the quality of life of rural people will improve.
(4)Sampoorna Grameen Rojgar Yojana (SGRY) : This programme was launched in
September 2001. The objectives of this scheme are :

(a) to provide wage employment along with food security in the rural areas.
(b) to create durable community, social and economic assets.
The ongoing Employment Assurance Scheme and JGSY would be merged with SGRY.
(5)National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) : NREGA was passed in
September 2005. The Act provides for 100-days assured employment to every rural
household in 200 districts. Later, the scheme will be extended to 600 districts.
However, the results of these programmes have not been very effective. One of the major
reasons for their less effectiveness is the lack of proper implementation and right targeting.
Also, there has been overlapping of schemes. Therefore, the major emphasis in recent years
is on their proper monitoring.
Q.3. What is meant by ‘vulnerability’ to poverty? Which economic categories are more
vulnerable to poverty in India? [CBSE 2010]
Ans. Vulnerability to poverty :It is a measure which describes the greater probability of certain
communities or individuals (such as widow or a physically handicapped person) of becoming
or remaining poor in coming years.
z Economic categories more vulnerable to poverty in India : Schedule tribes, urban
casual labourers, rural agriculture labourers, scheduled castes are major economic groups,
which are more vulnerable to poverty. Among these, scheduled tribes contribute to 51%
of poverty in India which average Indian poverty ratio is 26.
Graph 3.1 : Poverty in India 2000 : Most Vulnerable Groups.

Source : Reports on Employment and Unemployment among Social Groups in India No.
469,472, NSSO, Ministry of Statistics, Programme Implementation, Govt. of India.

Q.4. How is the illiteracy responsible for Poverty in India? Explain.	[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. Illiteracy is responsible for poverty in India as it causes the vicious circle of life where a poor
remains poor. Educated parents teach their children and make them more productive towards
the economic growth. They are more conscious about the education, health and hygiene of their
children. On the other hand, illiterate parents are not aware and conscious about providing
better education, health and hygiene facilities to their children. Thus they do not look for other
occupational facilities other than traditional one, therefore remain poor.

Q.5. How can poverty be reduced in future in India? Suggest any four points. [2011 (T-2)]
Ans.Poverty can be reduced in the following ways:-
(i) Increasing empowerment of women and the economically weaker sections of society.
(ii) Fostering the economic growth.
(iii) Increasing the stress on universal free elementary education.
(iv) Caste and gender discrimination to be avoided.
(v) Improving health care, education and job security.
(vi) Removing unequality of wealth among people.
Q.6. Mention the two planks on which the current anti-poverty strategy of the government is
based. Why were the poverty alleviation programmes not successful in most parts of
India? [2011 (T-2)]
Ans.The current anti-poverty strategy of the government is based broadly on two planks:
(i) Promotion of economic growth.
(ii) Targeted anti-poverty programmes.
The results of poverty alleviation programmes have been mixed. The major reasons for less
effectiveness are :-
(i) Lack of proper implementation and right targeting.
(ii) Overlapping of a number of schemes.
They lack proper monitoring and therefore the benefits of these schemes do not fully reach out
to the deserving poor.

Q.7. NREGA 2005 is an important anti-poverty programme. Explain.	[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. NREGA stands for National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005. Following things were
included in the scheme :
(i) It aims at providing 100-days assured employment every year to every rural household.
(ii) It initially started for 200 districts but later on extended to 600 districts.
(iii) One-third of the proposed jobs were reserved for women.
(iv) The Central government established National Employment Guarantee Funds and state
government established State Employment Guarantee Funds for implementation of the
scheme.
(v) If an applicant is not provided employment within fifteen days he/she will be entitled to
a daily unemployment allowance.
Q.8. Social exclusion can be both a cause as well as consequence of poverty. Explain.

[2011 (T-2)]
Ans.Social exclusion can be seen in the terms of poors who have to live only in a poor surrounding
with other poor people. Poor people are excluded from better surroundings with better-off
people. For example, in India people belonging to certain lower castes (i.e., Scheduled Castes)
are excluded from equal opportunities. Poor people of certain castes have to live in a separate
locality and are excluded from mixing with better-off people. Due to such discrimination These
people are deprived of better employment and growth opportunities. Social exclusion thus lead
to poverty and can cause more damage than having a very low income.
Q.9. Who are the most vulnerable as far as poverty is concerned? How have the states of West
Bengal, Punjab and Tamil Nadu tackled poverty? [2011 (T-2)]
Ans. The most vulnerable groups to poverty are :
(i) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
(ii) Rural agricultural labour
(iii) Urban casual labour

States tackled poverty in the following ways :-
1.West Bengal :- Land reform measures have helped in reducing poverty.
2.Punjab :- Reduce poverty with high growth rates of agriculture.
3.Tamil Nadu :- Public distribution of foodgrains has reduced the poverty.
 

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS)

Explain how poverty begets more poverty.

Ans. Poverty begets more poverty. It is both a cause as well as consequence of poverty. A poor country cannot save much out of its national income. As a result, it suffers from capital deficiency which adversely affects the level of production and income in the country.

Explain the concepts of :

• • 1. Social exclusion (b) Vulnerability

Ans. (a) Social Exclusion : According to this concept, poverty must be seen in terms of the poor who have to live only in a poor surroundings with other poor people. Poor people are excluded from better surroundings with better-off people. For example, in India people belonging to certain castes are excluded from equal opportunities.

• • 1. Vulnerability : There is a greater possibility of remaining poor in case of certain communities (such as members of a backward classes, widows, physically handicapped persons). These groups of people face greater risks at the time of natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunami). Thus vulnerability describes the greater possibility of being adversely affected in comparison of other people in odd times.

Who are poor in the rural areas?

Ans. In the rural sector, the poor include farm labourers, small and marginal farmers, rural artisans, backward classes and backward tribes. They lack basic literacy and skills. They are unable to find alternative employment elsewhere. They generally become victims of village moneylenders.

Who are poor in the urban sector?

Ans. In the urban sector, the poor consist of rickshaw-pullers, cobblers, street vendors, petty self-

employed persons, domestic servants and low-paid workers working in factories or in other occupations. They reside in poor localities where the conditions of living are very poor.

Explain how the low level of education can be held responsible for poverty in India.

Ans. Low level of education of the poor is a major cause behind their poverty. Poor people are illiterate. Because of their illiteracy, Indian farmers have failed to learn new methods of cultivation. Even the village moneylenders succeed in cheating them quite easily. Moreover, poor parents are not able to send their children to schools. Because of their illiteracy, poor people are employed as unskilled workers and are paid low wages.

Suggest some measures to reduce regional poverty.

Ans. Measures to reduce regional poverty : Several states of India like Orissa, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, etc., are economically very poor. To remove this regional poverty the following measures may be suggested :

• • 1. More Central assistance and grants should be given to backward states.
    2. Special concessions may be given for investments in backward areas.
    3. Public sector enterprises should be set up in backward states.

Discuss any three measures to reduce poverty in India. [CBSE 2010]

Ans.  More Industrialisation : In order to remove poverty and unemployment, especially in cities, more and more industries are to be set up.

• Improvement in Agriculture : While latest methods should be adopted in improving agriculture, steps should also be taken so that land is provided to the tiller and it is not concentrated in the hands of few rich farmers and landlords.
• Education : Education is must for removing any evil, including poverty and unemployment. It must be made cheaper so that every person could get it easily.
  1. Discuss any three government programmes for poverty alleviation. [CBSE 2010] Ans. 1. Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) : These schemes have been started for the welfare of the educated unemployed in urban areas. Youth belonging to the weaker sections

of society are given priority.

1. Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS) : These were launched in 1999 to create wage employment to families below poverty line and to improve the quality of life in the rural areas.
2. Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY) : The objective of this programme is to generate gainful employment for the unemployed and underemployed men and women in rural areas, community and social assets are created such as soil conservation work.
   1. Give brief account of inter-state disparities of poverty in India. [CBSE 2010] Ans.  Proportion of poor people is not the same in every state.

• In 20 states and union territories, the poverty ratio is less than national average.
• In the states of Orissa, Bihar, Assam, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh poverty percentage is more than 35. So poverty is serious problem in these states. Along with rural poverty, urban poverty is also high in these states.
• While in the states like Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh there is significant decline in poverty.
• States like Punjab and Haryana have succeeded in reducing poverty with the help of high agricultural growth rates.
• In West Bengal, land reform measures have helped in reducing poverty.

Mention any three features of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.

[2011 (T-2)]

Ans. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 was passed in September 2005 with the following features :-

1. It provides 100-days assured employment every year to every rural household with the reservation for one-third of the proposed jobs for women.
2. The central government will establish a National Employment Guarantee Fund for Women and state governments will establish State Employment Guarantee Funds for implementation of the scheme.
3. If an applicant is not provided employment within 15 days, he/she will get daily unemployment allowance.

How is the regular growth of population one of the major causes of poverty?

[2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Problem of high population growth is the major hurdle for economic growth in Indian economy. This results in less job opportunities and low growth rate of incomes. These factors in combination make the growth rate of per capita income very low. The failure on two fronts

– promotion of economic growth and population control – perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Rapid growth of population increases the number of job seekers and job opportunities are again limited. So population is one of the major causes of poverty in India.

• 1. What are the main causes of poverty in India? [2011 (T-2)] Ans. Main causes of poverty in India are :-

1. Huge income inequalities makes it difficult for the government policies to implement properly for poverty elimination. Therefore income inequality is a major cause of poverty in India.
2. Exploitation of traditional Indian handicrafts and textile industries by British colonial administration is another major cause of poverty.
3. In order to fulfil social obligations and observe religious ceremonies, the poor spend a lot of money. Poor people borrow money for different reasons and become the victims of indebtedness.

How the policies of colonial government were responsible for poverty in India?

[2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Policies of colonial government is one of the historical reasons of poverty after and at the time of British colonial administration. The policies of the colonial government ruined traditional handicrafts and discouraged development of industries like textiles. The low rate of growth persisted until the nineteen eighties. This resulted in less job opportunities and low growth rate of incomes. This was accompanied by a high growth rate of population. The two combined to make the growth rate of per capita income very low. The failure at both the fronts – promotion of economic growth and population control – perpetuated the cycle of poverty.

• 1. Explain three ways in which poverty can be estimated in India. [2011 (T-2)] Ans. While determining the poverty line in India, a minimum level of food requirement, clothing, footwear, fuel and light, educational and medical requirement etc. are determined for

subsistence.

1. The calorie requirement depending upon the age, sex, area and type of work is the way of estimating poverty. Average calorie requirement in India is 2400 per person per day in rural areas and 2100 per person per day in urban areas.
2. Monetary expenditure per capita needed is also a way of estimating poverty. In the year 2000, poverty line for a person was fixed at Rs 328 per month for the rural areas and Rs 454 for the urban areas.
3. A uniform standard for poverty line is also used, which is given by international organisations like World Bank. This is equivalent of $ 1 per person per day.

Explain the principal measures taken in Punjab, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh to reduce poverty. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. (i) The principal measures taken in Punjab to reduce poverty is increasing the agricultural growth rates.

1. Kerala focussed more on human resource development to reduce poverty.
2. Andhra Pradesh focussed on public distribution of foodgrains to reduce poverty.
   1. ‘‘In poor families all suffer but some suffer more than others.’’ Explain. [2011 (T-2)] Ans. Analysis of poverty on the basis of social exclusion and vulnerability shows that there are people in our economy who suffer more than others. Socially excluded people due to caste discrimination are excluded even from facilities, benefits and opportunities that others enjoy. Vulnerability brings greater risks to the people at the time of natural disasters or terrorism etc.

Vulnerable groups lack social and economic ability to handle risks.

What is poverty line? Give the income for poverty line fixed for the rural and urban areas in India according to 2000. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. A person is said to be poor if his or her income or consumption level falls below a given ‘‘minimum level’’ necessary to fulfil basic needs. Each country uses an imaginary line that is considered appropriate for its existing level of development and its accepted minimum social norms.

In the year 2000, a family of five members living in rural areas and earning less than about Rs 1640 per month were below the poverty line, whereas in urban areas earning less than about 2270 per month in similar family were below the poverty line.

‘‘There is a strong link between economic growth and poverty reduction.’’ Explain.

[2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Economic growth widens the opportunities and provides the resources needed to invest in human development. This also encourages people to send their children, including the girl child, to schools in the hope of getting better economic returns from investing in education.

Since eighties, India’s economic growth has been one of the fastest in the world. The growth rate jumped from the average of about 3.5% a year in the 1970s to about 6% during the 1980s and 1990s which significantly helped in the reduction of poverty.

Give one positive and one negative side of poverty conditions in India, and mention the major weaknesses of poverty alleviation programmes. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Positive aspect :-

(i) India’s economic growth is one of the fastest in the world which helps in reducing poverty.

Negative aspect :-

(i) Large number of poors live in villages and dependent upon agriculture where growth is much below expectation.

Weakness of Poverty alleviation programme :-

(i) Lack of proper implementation and right targetting with lots of over lapping schemes.

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (1 MARK)

Every person in India is poor.

• • 1. third (b) fourth (c) fifth (d) sixth

Ans. (b)

Vulnerability to poverty is determined by the options for finding an alternative living in terms of

• • 1. assets (b) education (c) health (d) all the above

Social exclusion denies certain individuals the

• • 1. facilities (b) benefits (c) opportunities (d) all the above

Ans. (d)

How many people in India live below the poverty line?

• • 1. 30 crores (b) 26 crores (c) 28 crores (d) 24 crores

Ans. (b)

Which organisation carries out survey for determining the poverty line?

• • 1. NSSO (b) CSO (c) Planning Commission (d) None of the above

Ans. (a)

Which social group is most vulnerable to poverty in India?

• • 1. Scheduled castes (b) Scheduled tribes (c) Casual labourers (d) All the above

Ans. (d)

Which two states of India continue to be the poorest states?

• • 1. Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir (b) Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand

(c) Orissa, Bihar (d) None of the above

Ans. (c)

Poverty line in rural areas is (As per 1999 – 2000 prices)

(a) Rs 328 (b) Rs. 370 (c) Rs 454 (d) Rs. 460

Ans. (a)

Who are the poorest of the poor?

• • 1. Women (b) Old people (c) Children (d) All the above

Ans. (d)

What is the poverty ratio in the state of Orissa?

(a) 50% (b) 47% (c) 60% (d) 57%

Ans. (b)

In which state has the high agricultural growth helped to reduce poverty?

• • 1. Jammu & Kashmir (b) West Bengal (c) Punjab (d) Gujarat

Ans. (c)

In which state have the land reform measures helped to reduce poverty?

• • 1. Tamil Nadu (b) Punjab (c) West Bengal (d) Kerala

Ans. (c)

Which state has focused more on human resource development?

• • 1. Gujarat (b) Madhya Pradesh (c) Maharashtra (d) Kerala

Ans. (d)

In which state is the public distribution system responsible for the reduction in poverty?

• • 1. Andhra Pradesh (b) Tamil Nadu (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of the above

Ans. (c)

What is the main cause of poverty in India?

• • 1. High income inequalities (b) Less job opportunities

(c) High growth in population (d) All the above

Which of the following is responsible for high poverty rates?

• • 1. Huge income inequalities (b) Unequal distribution of land

1. Lack of effective implementation of land reforms
2. All the above

Ans. (d)

In rural areas, which of the following are not poor?

• • 1. Landless agricultural workers (b) Backward classes

(c) Rural artisans (d) Medium farmers

Ans. (d)

Nutritional level of food energy is expressed in the form of

• • 1. calories per day (b) wheat consumption

(c) rice consumption per day (d) none of the above

Ans. (a)

As per Planning Commission, minimum daily intake of calories for determining poverty line for rural area is

• • 1. 2100 (b) 2400 (c) 1500 (d) none of the above

Ans. (b)

Poverty ratio in India as compared to Pakistan is

• • 1. same (b) half (c) two times (d) two and a half times

Ans. (c)

What are accepted average calories required in India in urban areas? [CBSE 2010]

(a) 2100 (b) 2400 (c) 2800 (d) 2500

Ans. (b)

Who is considered as poor? [CBSE 2010]

• • 1. A rich landlord (b) A businessman (c) A landless labourer (d) A teacher

Ans. (c)

Which among the following is the method to estimate the poverty line? [CBSE 2010]

• • 1. Investment method (b) Income method

(c) Capital method (d) Human method

Ans. (b)

Which state has the largest percentage of poors in India? [CBSE 2010]

• • 1. Bihar (b) Orissa (c) Kerala (d) Punjab

Ans. (b)

When was National Rural Employment Guarantee Act passed? [CBSE 2010]

• • 1. September 2005 (b) August 2004 (c) May 2009 (d) None of these

Ans. (a)

Who advocated that India would be truly independent only when the poorest of its people become free of human suffering ? [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. Mahatma Gandhi (b) Indira Gandhi

(c) Jawahar lal Nehru (d) Subhash Chandra Bose

Which of the following programmes was launched in the year 2000? [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
    2. Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana
    3. Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna
    4. Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana

Ans. (d)

Who do not come under the category of urban poor? [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. The casual workers (b) The unemployed

(c) The shopkeepers (d) Rickshawpullers

Ans. (c)

How many percent of Indian people were poor in the year 2000? [2011 (T-2)]

(a) 36% (b) 46% (c) 26% (d) 29%

Ans. (c)

Which scheme was started in 1993 to create self-employment opportunities for educated unemployed youth in rural areas and small towns? [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana
    2. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
    3. Rural Employment Generation Programme
    4. Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana

Ans. (a)

For how many days NREGA provides employment? [2011 (T-2)]

(a) 70 (b) 80 (c) 90 (d) 100

Ans. (d)

Which one of the social groups are vulnerable to poverty? [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. Scheduled caste (b) Urban casual labour

(c) Rural agricultural households (d) All the above

Ans. (d)

• 1. By which year governments are aiming to meet the Milennium Development Goals including halving the rate of global poverty? [2011 (T-2)] (a) 2011 (b) 2015 (c) 2045 (d) 2035

Ans. (b)

Which one is not the major causes of income inequality in India? [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. Unequal distribution of land (b) Lack of fertile land

(c) Gap between rich and the poor (d) Increase in population

Ans. (b)

In which of the following countries did poverty actually rise from 1981 to 2001?

[2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. Sub-Saharan Africa (b) India

(c) China (d) Russia

The calorie requirement is higher in the rural areas because : [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. they do not enjoy as much as people in the urban areas.
    2. food items are expensive.
    3. they are engaged in mental work.
    4. people are engaged in physical labour.

Ans. (d)

Which of the following is an indicator of poverty in India? [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. Income level (b) Illiteracy level

(c) Employment level (d) All of these

Ans. (d)

Which of the following is not a valid reason for the poverty alleviation programme in India? [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. Lack of proper implementation (b) Lack of right targeting

(c) Corruption at the highest level (d) Overlapping of schemes

Ans. (c)

Which industry suffered the most during colonial period? [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. Jute (b) Textile

(c) Indigo (d) All the above

Ans. (a)

Poverty ratio in which of the following states is above the national average?

[2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. West Bengal (b) Tamil Nadu

(c) Andhra Pradesh (d) Karnataka

Ans. (a)

Which of the following is not considered a social indicator of poverty? [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. Less number of means of transport (b) Illiteracy level

(c) Lack of access to health care (d) Lack of job opportunities

Ans. (a)

Full form of NFWP is : [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. National Federation for Work and Progress (b) National Forest for Wildlife Protection

(c) National Food and Wheat Processing (d) National Food for Work Programme

Ans. (d)

Which country of South-East Asia made rapid economic growth resulting in a significant decline in poverty? [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. India (b) China (c) Nepal (d) Pakistan

Ans. (b)

In which part of the world poverty has remained the same during 1981 to 2001?

[2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. South Asia (b) Sub-Saharan Asia

(c) China (d) Latin America

Ans. (d)

Which of the following states has the poverty ratio below the national average?

[2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. West Bengal (b) Uttar Pradesh (c) Assam (d) Maharashtra

Ans. (d)

The current anti-poverty programme consists of two planks. They are: [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. Socio-economic reasons and public distribution system.
    2. Promotion of economic growth and targeted anti-poverty programme.
    3. Anti-poverty programme and public distribution system.
    4. None of the above.

Ans. (b)

According to World Bank, poverty is measured by: [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. People living below Rs. 100 per day (b) People living below 1$ per day

(c) People living below Rs. 550 per month (d) None of the above

Ans. (b)

Kerala has tried to control poverty by: [2011 (T-2)]

• • 1. Investing in human resource (b) Investing in medical science

(c) Investing in infrastructure (d) None of the above

Ans. (a)

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS

Questions within the Lesson

Discuss the following :

• • 1. Why do different countries use different poverty lines?
    2. What do you think would be the “minimum necessary level” in your locality?

Ans. (a) Basic needs in different countries are different. Therefore, different countries use different poverty lines.

(b) The minimum necessary level should not only include food requirements but also include medical and educational requirements.

Observe some of the poor families around you and try to find the following :

• • 1. Which social and economic group do they belong to?
    2. Who are the earning members in the family?
    3. What is the condition of the old people in the family?
    4. Are all the children (boys and girls) attending schools?

Ans. (a) They are Scheduled Caste people and are agricultural labourer households.

1. Both men and women work as agricultural workers.
2. They are ‘the poorest of the poor.’
3. Some of the boys are attending schools while most of the girls are denied educational opportunities.

Graph 3.2 Poverty Ratio in Selected Indian States, 1999-2000.

Study the Graph 3.2 and do the following :

• • 1. Identify the three states where the poverty ratio is the highest.
    2. Identify the three states where poverty ratio is the lowest.

Ans. (a) (i) Orissa, (ii) Bihar and (iii) Madhya Pradesh.

1. (i) Jammu and Kashmir,
   1. Punjab and
   2. Haryana.

Graph 3.4 Poverty Ratio in Selected Indian States, 1999-2000

Study the Graph 3.4 and do the following :

• • 1. Identify the areas of the world, where poverty ratios have declined.
    2. Identify the area of the globe which has the largest concentration of the poor.

Ans. (a) Poverty has subtantially fallen in China.

(b) Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

(a) Some people say that the Bengal famine happened because there was a shortage of rice. Study the table and find out whether you agree with the statement?

(b) Which year shows a drastic decline in food availability?

Ans. (a) Yes, total food availability in the famine year (1943) was 79 which was less than that in 1942.

(b) The year 1941.

QUESTIONS IN THE EXERCISE

Describe how the poverty line is estimated in India.

Ans. Estimation of Poverty Line in India : In India, poverty has been defined as a situation in which a person fails to earn income sufficient to buy him bare means of subsistence. Bare means of subsistence consist of minimum physical quantities of cereals, pulses, milk, butter, etc. Thus the measurement of poverty line is based on the income or consumption levels.

While determining the poverty line, the Planning Commission has fixed the minimum nutritional level of food energy at 2400 kilo calories per person per day for rural areas and 2100 kilo calories per person per day for urban areas. Those persons whose consumption levels falls below this minimum level are considered poor.

Poverty line has also been determined on the basis of consumption expenditure. This again has been separately fixed for rural and urban areas. The level of consumption expenditure per person per month has been fixed at Rs 328 and Rs 454 for rural and urban areas separately. Those persons whose monthly consumption expenditure falls short of this level are treated as poor.

Do you think that the present methodology of poverty estimation is appropriate?

Ans. The official definition of poverty line is not appropriate, as it is based on the minimum subsistence level of living rather than a reasonable level of living. It is suggested that the concept of poverty must be broadened so as to include other indicators such as basic education, health, drinking water, sanitation, etc. A large number of people may have been able to feed themselves. But they do not have education, health care, job security, gender equality, etc. Therefore, a proper definition of poverty should not only be given in terms of income level but should be based on their factors also.

Describe poverty trends in India since 1973.

Ans. Poverty Trends in India : The Planning Commission of India has made estimations about the incidence of poverty since the early 1970s. These estimates are given in the following table :

Table 3.1 : Estimates of Poverty in India

	Poverty ratio (%)			Number of poor (in millions)
Year	Rural	Urban	Combined	Rural	Urban	Combined
1973-74	56.4	49.0	54.9	261	60	321
1993-94	37.3	32.4	36.0	244	76	320
1999-00	27.1	23.6	26.1	193	67	260

Source : Economic Survey 2002-03, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

Table 3.1 shows that there is a substantial decline in the poverty ratio in India from about 55 per cent in 1973 to 36 per cent in 1993. This ratio has further come down to about 26 per cent in 2000. Although the poverty ratio during 1973-93 declined but the number of poor remained stable at around 320 million during this period of two decades. It may also be noted that poverty ratio always remained higher in rural areas compared to urban areas.

Discuss the major reasons for poverty in India.

Ans. Major Reasons for Poverty in India : The major causes/factors responsible for existence of poverty in India are discussed below :

• • 1. Fast Population Growth Among the Poor : The rapid growth of population, particularly among the poor, is considered one of the major causes behind Indian poverty. Poor people are illiterate and have traditional outlook. Hence, they are either ignorant of birth control measures or not convinced of the need of birth control. Moreover, they consider male child as an asset, that is, as a source of income and a source of security during old age.
    2. Low Rate of Economic Development : The actual rate of growth in India has always been below the required level. It has been around 4 per cent since 1951. This has resulted in less job opportunities. This was accompanied by a high growth rate of population. These two combined kept the growth rate of per capita income very low. The failure at

both fronts — promotion of economic growth and population control

— aggravated the problem of poverty.

• • 1. Unemployment : Another important factor that can be held responsible for the incidence of high poverty in India is the high degree of unemployment and underemployment. The job seekers are increasing at a higher rate than the increase in the employment opportunities.
    2. Unequal Distribution of Income : Although national income of India has been increasing since 1951, it was not properly distributed among different sections of the society. A large proportion of increased income has been pocketed by a few rich. They become richer. Consequently, the majority of people have to live below the poverty line.
    3. Social Factors : Various social factors, viz., caste system, joint family system, religious faiths, law of inheritance, etc., have blocked the path of economic development. For example, because of religious beliefs, people regard poverty as God given. Similarly, joint family system has prevented people from doing hard work and made them dependent.

Identify the social and economic groups which are most vulnerable to poverty. Ans. Social Groups Vulnerable to Poverty :

1. Scheduled caste households
2. Scheduled tribe households

Economic Groups Vulnerable to Poverty :

1. Rural agricultural labour households
2. Urban casual labour households.

Give an account of inter-state disparities in poverty in India. Ans. Inter-state Disparities in Poverty

There are wide disparities in poverty across the country. The poverty ratio is not the same in every state. Recent estimates show that in 20 states and union territories, the poverty ratio is less than the national average. Orissa and Bihar continue to be the two poorest states with poverty ratios of 47 and 43 per cent respectively. In comparison, there has been a significant fall in poverty ratio in the states of Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and West Bengal. States like Punjab and Haryana have continuously succeeded in reducing their poverty ratio to 6.16 per cent and 8.7 per cent respectively. The lowest incidence of poverty is found in Jammu and Kashmir with a poverty ratio of 3.5 per cent.

Describe global poverty trends.

Ans. Global Poverty Trends : The proportion of people in developing countries living in poverty has declined from 28 per cent in 1990 to 21 per cent in 2001. Although there has been a substantial reduction in global poverty, there are great regional differences visible. Poverty has substantially fallen in China and South-East Asian countries. The number of poor in China has drastically come down from 606 million in 1981 to 212 million in 2001. But the decline in poverty in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan has not been so rapid. Despite decline in the poverty ratio, the number of poor has declined marginally from 475 million in 1981 to 428 million in 2001. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa, poverty rose from 41 per cent to 46 per cent during the same period.

Describe the current government strategy of poverty alleviation. Ans. Government Strategy Towards Poverty Alleviation :-

The current government strategy towards poverty alleviation has broadly been two-dimensional :

• • 1. Promotion of economic growth and, (2) Anti-poverty programmes.

1. Economic Growth : To fight against poverty our government laid emphasis on promotion of economic growth. This strategy is based on the belief that the benefits of economic growth would automatically ‘trickle down’ to the poor people in form of more employment and more income.
2. Anti-Poverty Programmes : With a view to launch a direct attack on poverty, our government formulated several schemes to benefit the poor. Important among them are :
   1. Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana
   2. Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana
   3. Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana
   4. Sampoorna Grameen Rojgar Yojana
   5. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

Through the programmes, the government has tried to help the poor by way of income generation, wage employment and asset building. However, the results of there programmes have not been so satisfactory as were desired.

Answer the following questions briefly :

1. What do you understand by human poverty?
2. Who are the poorest of the poor?
3. What are the main features of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005?

Ans. (i) Human Poverty : Human poverty is a wider concept than poverty. It refers to the lack of human development. It reflects the state of deprivation in the society. It is measured in Human Development Index and Human Poverty Index.

1. The Poorest of the Poor : People from poor families like old people, women and female infants are the poorest of the poor. These people are denied equal access to resources available to the family.

Main Features of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005

• 1. NREGA provides 100 days assured employment every year to every rural household in 200 districts. Later, the scheme will be extended to 600 districts. One-third of the proposed jobs would be reserved for women.
  2. The central government will establish a National Employment Guarantee Fund. Similarly, state governments will establish State Employment Guarantee Funds for the implementation of the scheme.