Discuss the reforms which have been initiated recently to meet the energy crisis in India.
The following reforms have been initiated by the government to meet the energy crises:
1. Privatisation in Power Generation Sector: The government earlier had the monopoly in the generation and distribution of electricity. Now, the private sector has been given the rights to generate power.
2. Privatisation in Power Transmission:The Indian government has approved Tata Power and Powergrid Corporation of India for constructing transmission networks in joint venture.
3. POWER for ALL by 2012: The Ministry of Power has set up an objective of 'POWER for ALL by 2012' to achieve the target of 1000 KwHr (Units) of per capita consumption of electricity in India. This objective is aligned with the objective to achieve an economic growth of 8% p.a. The main motive of this target is to improve the quality of power, improve the commercial viability of power industries and to provide power to all.
4. Setting up Regulatory Mechanism: The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) along with State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERC) has been established in 19 states under the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998. These commissions and authorities regulate tariff, promote efficiency and competition.
5. Encouraging FDI: In order to achieve the target of POWER for ALL by 2012, the Ministry of Power aimed at attracting US $250 billion of Investment (FDI and Domestic Investment Combined) into the power sector.
6. Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (APDRP): APDRP has been initiated in the year 2000-01 with the motive of improving financial viability, reducing transmission and distribution losses and promoting transparency through computerization.
7. Awareness: The government is encouraging people to increase the use of renewable resources and also creating awareness among the people to reduce the conventional resources. During the Eight Five Year Plan, the government has set up a National Energy Efficiency Programme (NEEP) that aims at conservation of petroleum products.
8. Improving Productivity: The Indian government has been emphasising on the measures to improve the productivity of the existing power generating industries.
Infrastructure contributes to the economic development of a country. Do you agree? Explain.
Discuss the main drawbacks of our health care system.
What are the various non-commercial sources of energy?
What is the significance of ‘energy’? Differentiate between commercial and non-commercial sources of energy.
What is the state of rural infrastructure in India?
How do infrastructure facilities boost production?
What is a ‘global burden of disease’?
Describe the meaning of public health. Discuss the major public health measures undertaken by the state in recent years to control diseases.
How are the rates of consumption of energy and economic growth connected?
What problems are being faced by the power sector in India?
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Define a plan?
Who is a worker?
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?
Explain how investment in education stimulates economic growth.
‘Information technology plays a very significant role in achieving sustainable development and food security’ - comment.
Explain how import substitution can protect domestic industry.
Why are less women found in regular salaried employment?
Is environmental crisis a recent phenomenon? If so, why?
Define the liberty indicator. Give some examples of liberty indicators.
Were there any positive contributions made by the British in India? Discuss.
Examine the role of education in the economic development of a nation.
Bring out the importance of animal husbandry, fisheries and horticulture as a source of diversification.
Though the public sector is very essential for industries, many public sector undertakings incur huge losses and are a drain on the economy’s resources. Discuss the usefulness of public sector undertakings in the light of this fact.