In your view, is it essential for the government to regulate the fee structure in education and health care institutions? If so, why?
Education and health sectors are the two key sectors responsible for the formation of good quality human capital. The development of these two sectors are emphasised by almost all the less developed countries. In India, expenditures on both education and health sectors are carried out by all the three tiers of the government and also by private institutions. While, private institutions are guided by market and profit motive, the public institutions are guided by the main motive of rendering services and to enhance human capital. As the cost of education and health facilities provided by the private institutions is higher, so it is difficult for the majority of the population to avail these services because of their economic inability.
Thus, it is very important for the government to provide quality education and health facilities to this section of the population. Further, as the Indian constitution counts right to free education and medical facilities as the fundamental right of citizens, so it is the responsibility of the government to provide education and health services to all. Moreover, the private institutions are unable to reach the remote and rural areas where people lack initiative for education and health. In this context, the role of government is to encourage them and to make them aware of the advantages of education and health. Also, there are some underprivileged sections of population like ST, SC, OBC, the interests of whose can only be protected by the interference of the government.
Moreover, the people as individual consumers do not have complete information about the quality of services and the related costs. This often leads to exploitation of people. Hence, government intervention in health and education sector to regulate the fees structure is must in order to enhance the quality of human capital.
Trace the relationship between human capital and economic growth.
Discuss the need for promoting women’s education in India.
Discuss the following as a source of human capital formation
(i) Health infrastructure
(ii) Expenditure on migration.
What are the main problems of human capital formation in India?
‘There is a downward trend in inequality world-wide with a rise in the average education levels’. Comment.
Education is considered to be an important input for the development of a nation. How?
What are the indicators of educational achievement in a country?
How is human development a broader term as compared to human capital?
What factors contribute to human capital formation?
Argue in favour of the need for different forms of government intervention in education and health sectors.
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Define a plan?
Who is a worker?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
Name some modern industries which were in operation in our country at the time of independence?
How has women’s health become a matter of great concern?
Why are less women found in regular salaried employment?
Explain how import substitution can protect domestic industry.
Who is a casual wage labourer?
Explain the role of micro-credit in meeting credit requirements of the poor.
The newly emerging jobs are found mostly in the sector (service/manufacturing).
Those public sector undertakings which are making profits should be privatised. Do you agree with this view? Why?
Suppose you are from a poor family and you wish to get help from the government to set up a petty shop. Under which scheme will you apply for assistance and why?
How can creation of income earning assets address the problem of poverty?