What is the state of rural infrastructure in India?
During colonial rule,the British aimed at developing infrastructure to facilitate their trade affairs. At the time of independence, Indian government found a lack of sound infrastructure to realise their dream of economic development and growth. Most of the infrastructural development concentrated in the urban areas. The infrastructural development in the rural areas is still very meager as compared to the size of the rural population. The women in the rural areas are still making use of biofuels like cow-dung and fuel wood to meet their energy needs. The census of 2001 states that only 56% of households have electricity connection, whereas 43% still use kerosene. About 90% of the rural households use biofuels for cooking. Tap water is used by only 24% of the rural households and improved sanitation is available to only 20%. As the infrastructure is an essential element of economic growth, so, it becomes a need of the hour to address the problem of infrastructure. The government of India invested only a small proportion of GDP on infrastructure i.e. only 5% that is lesser than that of China and Indonesia. The economists see India as the third biggest economy in the world. For that to happen, India will have to boost its infrastructure, especially rural infrastructure. This will not only promote economic development of our country but also enhance economic welfare.
Compare and contrast the development of India, China and Pakistan with respect to some salient human development indicators.
How is RBI controlling the commercial banks?
Explain the steps taken by the government in developing rural markets.
What are the functions of the environment?
Distinguish between the following
(i) Strategic and Minority sale
(ii) Bilateral and Multi-lateral trade
(iii) Tariff and Non-tariff barriers.
Why was the public sector given a leading role in industrial development during the planning period?
Match the following:
1. Prime Minister 3. Quota 4. Land Reforms 5. HYV Seeds 6. Subsidy |
A. Seeds that give large proportion of output C. Chairperson of the planning commission D. The money value of all the final goods and services produced within the economy in one year. E. Improvements in the field of agriculture to increase its productivity F. The monetary assistance given by government for production activities. |
Infrastructure contributes to the economic development of a country. Do you agree? Explain.
Find the odd man out (i) owner of a saloon (ii) a cobbler (iii) a cashier in Mother Dairy (iv) a tuition master (v) transport operator (vi) construction worker.
Highlight any two serious adverse environmental consequences of development in India. India’s environmental problems pose a dichotomy — they are poverty induced and, at the same time, due to affluence in living standards — is this true?
‘There is a downward trend in inequality world-wide with a rise in the average education levels’. Comment.
What problems are being faced by the power sector in India?
How can we increase the effectiveness of health care programmes?
The three dimensional attack on poverty adopted by the govern-ment has not succeded in poverty alleviation in India. Comment.
‘Information technology plays a very significant role in achieving sustainable development and food security’ - comment.
Who is a worker?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
Underscore some of India’s most crucial economic challenges at the time of independence.
How is human development a broader term as compared to human capital?
What are the main characteristics of health of the people of our country?