Illustrate the difference between rural and urban poverty. Is it correct to say that poverty has shifted from rural to urban areas? Use the trends in poverty ratio to support your answer.
The major difference between rural and urban poverty in India lies in the standard of living. The latter enjoys higher living standards compared to the former and the standard of living may be attributable to the wide income disparity and gap between the two. Another major difference is the level of education and also access to education. The urban Poor enjoy better access to quality education than the rural counterparts. Thirdly, health care facilities prevalent in the urban areas are far better than that of in the rural areas. Also the rural poor people lack access to these health facilities and important medical information. Fourthly, the difference lies in the type of houses they live in. The rural poor live in kutcha houses, while the urban poor reside in pucca houses which are well developed with proper sanitation facilities. Fifthly, rural poverty is temporary as the rural poor can migrate to urban areas to seek employment but, on the other hand, urban poverty is permanent.
Is there any relationship between unemployment and poverty? Explain.
The three dimensional attack on poverty adopted by the govern-ment has not succeded in poverty alleviation in India. Comment.
What programmes has the government adopted to help the elderly people and poor and destitute women?
Why are employment generation programmes important in poverty alleviation in India?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
How can creation of income earning assets address the problem of poverty?
What is meant by ‘Food for Work’ programme?
Suppose you are a resident of a village, suggest a few measures to tackle the problem of poverty.
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?
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?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
Do you think that in the last 50 years, employment generated in the country is commensurate with the growth of GDP in India? How?
What are the main characteristics of health of the people of our country?
What are the indicators of educational achievement in a country?
Were there any positive contributions made by the British in India? Discuss.
Victor is able to get work only for two hours in a day. Rest of the day, he is looking for work. Is he unemployed? Why? What kind of jobs could persons like Victor be doing?
How has the consumption pattern of energy changed over the years?
What similar developmental strategies have India and Pakistan followed for their respective developmental paths?
Who is a casual wage labourer?
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.