Model Answer

Introduction

In India, women face a disproportionately heavier burden of poverty compared to men due to various systemic issues. Understanding the causes of poverty among women and the measures taken to address it is crucial for promoting gender equality and economic empowerment.

Causes of Poverty Among Women

1. Unpaid Care Work: Women are primarily responsible for unpaid household work, spending approximately five hours daily on caregiving, while men spend only about half an hour. This imbalance leads to time poverty and limits women’s opportunities for paid employment.
2. Low Female Labour Force Participation Rate: Social stigma, violence, and unsafe working conditions deter women from entering the labor market. The Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) has declined from 30.3% in 1990 to just 20.5% in 2019.
3. Gender Gaps in Nutrition, Education, and Health: Women, especially in poorer households, face significant disparities in access to nutrition, education, and healthcare, further entrenching their poverty.
4. Low Wages: Women earn 34% less than men for the same work, which discourages them from seeking employment and perpetuates economic dependency.
5. Lack of Decent Work Conditions: A majority of women work in the informal sector, lacking employment contracts, legal rights, and social protections, which keeps them trapped in poverty.

Measures Taken to Address Poverty Among Women

1. Legislative Measures: The government has enacted laws such as the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, to promote women’s rights and workplace safety.
2. Government Schemes: Initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and the One Stop Centre Scheme aim to address gender inequality and empower women.
3. National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW): This mission focuses on the overall development of women through various empowerment processes.
4. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK): This initiative provides micro-finance services to uplift poor women socio-economically.
5. Support to Training and Employment Program for Women (STEP): This program aims to ensure sustainable employment for marginalized women.
6. Working Women Hostels: These hostels provide safe accommodation for working women, facilitating their employment opportunities.

Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction (50-75 words)

• Context: Introduce the issue of poverty among women in India and the significance of addressing gender disparities.
• Thesis Statement: State that the answer will explore the causes of poverty among women and the measures taken to mitigate this issue.

2. Causes of Poverty Among Women (100-125 words)

• Unpaid Care Work: Explain how women’s responsibility for unpaid domestic work limits their opportunities for paid employment.
  • Fact: Women spend around five hours daily on unpaid care work, while men spend only half an hour.
• Low Female Labour Force Participation Rate: Discuss the decline in women’s participation in the workforce due to social stigma and unsafe working conditions.
  • Fact: FLFPR decreased from 30.3% in 1990 to 20.5% in 2019.
• Gender Gaps in Nutrition, Education, and Health: Highlight disparities that affect women’s socio-economic status, particularly in poorer households.
• Low Wages: Address the wage gap where women earn 34% less than their male counterparts for the same work.
• Lack of Decent Work Conditions: Mention the prevalence of informal employment and its associated vulnerabilities.

3. Measures Taken to Address Poverty Among Women (100-125 words)

• Legislative Measures: Describe key laws aimed at empowering women.
  • Fact: Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.
• Government Schemes: Outline initiatives aimed at reducing gender inequality.
  • Fact: Programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and One Stop Centre Scheme focus on empowerment.
• National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW): Discuss its role in promoting women’s development.
• Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK): Explain how this micro-finance initiative helps uplift poor women.
• Support to Training and Employment Program for Women (STEP): Mention efforts to ensure sustainable employment for marginalized women.
• Working Women Hostels: Discuss how these hostels facilitate safe accommodation for working women.

4. Conclusion (50-75 words)

• Summary: Recap the causes of poverty among women and the various measures taken to address these issues.
• Call for Action: Emphasize the importance of continued efforts and policies to empower women and reduce poverty effectively.

मॉडल उत्तर

परिचय

स्विस चैलेंज मॉडल एक सार्वजनिक खरीद विधि है जिसमें किसी सार्वजनिक प्राधिकरण को एक अवांछित प्रस्ताव (unsolicited proposal) प्राप्त होता है। यह प्रस्ताव मुख्य रूप से डिजाइन, प्रौद्योगिकी और बौद्धिक संपदा अधिकारों की विशिष्टता से संबंधित होता है। यदि यह प्रस्ताव सरकारी प्राथमिकताओं के अनुरूप है, तो प्राधिकरण तीसरे पक्ष से प्रतिस्पर्धी काउंटर प्रस्ताव आमंत्रित कर सकता है। बेहतर प्रस्ताव मिलने पर, मूल प्रस्तावक को अपने प्रस्ताव में संशोधन का अवसर दिया जाता है और अंत में सबसे बेहतर प्रस्ताव को अनुबंध दिया जाता है। उच्चतम न्यायालय ने 2009 में इस विधि को वैधता दी थी और विभिन्न राज्य सरकारों को इस पर दिशानिर्देश तैयार करने के लिए प्रेरित किया है, जैसे महाराष्ट्र और कर्नाटका ने किया है।

स्विस चैलेंज मॉडल के लाभ

1. प्रतिस्पर्धा को बढ़ावा: यह प्रतिस्पर्धी बोली लगाने की सुविधा देता है, जिससे इष्टतम लागत प्राप्त होती है|
2. दक्षता में वृद्धि: यह अन्य सार्वजनिक-निजी भागीदारी (PPP) मॉडल की तुलना में समय और लागत की बचत करता है|
3. व्यावसायिकता: परियोजना की तैयारी में पेशेवर दृष्टिकोण अपनाने से लालफीताशाही कम होती है|
4. रचनात्मकता: प्रतियोगियों को बेहतर डिज़ाइन प्रस्तुत करने की अनुमति देकर नवाचार को बढ़ावा मिलता है|
5. समानता: यह उन सरकारों के लिए सहायक है जिनकी तकनीकी और वित्तीय क्षमता सीमित है|

स्विस चैलेंज मॉडल से जुड़ी समस्याएँ

1. पारदर्शिता का मुद्दा: अवांछित प्रस्तावों के दौरान पारदर्शिता की कमी चिंता का विषय है, जिससे जवाबदेही तय करना कठिन होता है|
2. क्रोनी कैपिटलिज्म: यह विधि कंपनियों को अनुचित साधनों का उपयोग करने की अनुमति देती है|
3. बोली की विषमता: काउंटर प्रस्तावों के लिए तैयारी में असमानता होती है|
4. कानूनी वैधता का मुद्दा: इस विधि के उपयोग में उचित कानूनी ढाँचे की कमी होती है|
5. मौद्रिक मूल्य को मापने में कठिनाई: जब अनुबंध मूल प्रस्तावक को नहीं दिया जाता, तो मूल्यांकन करना कठिन होता है|

इन समस्याओं का समाधान करने के लिए स्विस चैलेंज विधि के लिए एक राष्ट्रीय नीति ढाँचे की स्थापना आवश्यक है, जिससे नवाचार को बढ़ावा दिया जा सके और प्रतिस्पर्धा को सुदृढ़ किया जा सके।

Model Answer

1. Institutional Issues

• Licensing Barriers: The requirement for new entrepreneurs to own a shop or godown to obtain a license as commission agents poses a significant entry barrier to existing Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs).
• High Market Charges: APMCs can collect market fees ranging from 0.5% to 2.0% of the sale value. Additional charges, such as purchase tax and weighment charges, can total as high as 15% in some states.
• Lack of Standardized Grading: The absence of a standardized grading mechanism before sale prevents farmers from obtaining prices that reflect the quality of their produce.

2. Infrastructural Issues

• Poor Market Infrastructure: Studies show that only two-thirds of regulated markets have covered auction platforms, and less than one-tenth have cold storage facilities. Grading facilities are available in less than one-third of the markets.
• Economic Viability: Agricultural marketing infrastructure projects often have long gestation periods, and the seasonal nature of agricultural produce affects their economic viability, deterring investments.

3. Market Information System Issues

• Lag in Demand Signals: Inefficient real-time information channels lead to delays in demand signals, causing farmers to rely on outdated price trends.
• Limited Information Channels: Existing information dissemination methods primarily cover major commodities and are often not available in local languages, limiting accessibility for farmers.

Steps Taken to Address These Issues

1. Model APMC Act, 2003

This act aimed to amend existing rules to tackle the aforementioned issues; however, only sixteen states have amended their acts, and only six states have notified the amended rules.

2. Direct Marketing Initiatives

Programs like Apni Mandi in Punjab and Rythu Bazaars in Andhra Pradesh allow farmers to sell directly to consumers, bypassing intermediaries.

3. AGMARKNET

This e-governance portal provides agricultural marketing information to stakeholders, facilitating better decision-making.

4. Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs)

Efforts are underway to upgrade 22,000 rural haats into GrAMs, which will feature improved infrastructure and better road linkages, remaining outside APMC regulations.

5. Kisan Rail

This initiative aims to ensure safe and fast transportation of perishables, aiding in better price realization for farmers.

6. Farmer Produce Organizations (FPOs)

A scheme to create 10,000 FPOs by 2024 provides handholding support, enhancing farmers’ bargaining power in the market.

Conclusion

Improving agricultural marketing infrastructure and systems is crucial for better price realization for farmers. The steps taken by the government aim to address the existing challenges, promoting competitive trade and enhancing the efficiency of the agricultural marketing process.