Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.
Please briefly explain why you feel this question should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this user should be reported.
What are the basic objectives of the Agricultural Price Policy" Discuss briefly the Agricultural Price Policy of India. [Answer Limit: 250 words] [UKPSC 2016]
Agricultural Price Policy and its Implementation in India: Basic Objectives Agricultural price policy is one of the most important instruments for economic management of a country, particularly for agrarian economies. It seeks to balance the interests of farmers, consumers and the wider economy. AgrRead more
Agricultural Price Policy and its Implementation in India: Basic Objectives
Agricultural price policy is one of the most important instruments for economic management of a country, particularly for agrarian economies. It seeks to balance the interests of farmers, consumers and the wider economy. Agricultural price policy aims to achieve several goals such as ensuring adequate returns for farmers, stabilizing food prices for consumers, and promoting productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
Key Objectives of Agricultural Price Policy in India. It aims, first, to deliver a price to farmers that will pay them to produce more, and to improve the quality of what they produce. This is essential for improving farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring food security. This is done by way of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism, which ensures a certain minimum price at which the government buys certain crops (mainly cereals, especially rice and wheat, but also including pulses, oilseeds, and other goods).
Next, the aim one is price stability in the market and fundamental food items are available for people at reasonable prices. Especially as it is a massive, diverse country with a broadly distributed income level. In this regard, the Public Distribution System (PDS), which supplies subsidised food grains to the below-poverty-line households, is an important measure.
Thirdly, the policy supports agricultural productivity and sustainability as it encourages the adoption of modern farming techniques, like seeds, fertilizers, irrigation. The government gives input subsidy for these to minimize cost of production for farmers.
Despite these measures, the agricultural price policy in India suffers from several persisting shortcomings, such as procurement inefficiencies, market infrastructure deficits, and the demand for more efficacious price discovery processes. Over the years, however, the scheme has faced a number of challenges, including allegations of leakages and inefficiencies in the disbursal process.
See lessGive the highlights of the Budget of Uttarakhand for the year 2016-17. [Answer Limit: 250 words] [UKPSC 2016]
It is important to note that before the 2016-17 budget, Uttarakhand Finance Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat presented one of his hallmark plans to achieve economic success, boost infrastructure and better the lives of the people in the state. A total expenditure of ₹26,232 crore has been allocated inRead more
It is important to note that before the 2016-17 budget, Uttarakhand Finance Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat presented one of his hallmark plans to achieve economic success, boost infrastructure and better the lives of the people in the state. A total expenditure of ₹26,232 crore has been allocated in the budget, a 12.5% increase compared to the last year.
Building roads, bridges, and rural digital connectivity accounted for a large share of the budget. The government earmarked ₹1,500 crore for the construction and upkeep of roads, to improve reach and increase economic activities in backward areas. Apart from this, ₹500 crore has been allocated for development of smart cities, prioritising Dehradun and Haridwar.
Agriculture and rural development were another focus area, with ₹2,000 crore set aside to support farmers and agricultural productivity. This entailed fertilizer, seed and machinery subsidies and introduction of new irrigation projects to ensure water security.
₹2,500 crore and ₹1,800 crore were earmarked to education and health, respectively. The first half focuses on school infrastructure, teacher training, and quality in schools for better education while primary health centres and better medical facilities in rural areas accounted for healthcare.
There was a boost to tourism, which is the life blood for Uttarakhand as the state had ₹500 crore for developing tourist infrastructure and eco-tourism. The state’s rich natural and cultural heritage was also offered a hand with budget provisions.
Broadly, the 2016-17 budget for Uttarakhand was formulated to overcome the developmental hurdles of the state and to usher in gradual economic development and better living standards.
See lessDiscuss the potential advantages and challenges of India’s upcoming Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in achieving its net-zero targets and promoting sustainable industrial growth. What measures can be adopted to enhance the effectiveness of this scheme? (200 words)
India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) is a significant move towards meeting its ambitious net-zero targets while promoting sustainable industrial growth. It encourages various industries to limit the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, others, and to reduce their total emissions bRead more
India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) is a significant move towards meeting its ambitious net-zero targets while promoting sustainable industrial growth. It encourages various industries to limit the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, others, and to reduce their total emissions by selling carbon credits.
Advantages:
If I were to rewrite the headline I’d more likely say: Implementation of Carbon Credit Trading System (CCTS) This can mean significant savings over time and greater competitiveness globally.
Innovative Technology: The scheme induces innovation and new technology adoption that would entail emissions reductions, fostering technological advances and creating new market opportunities.
Out of this three key challenge areas, CCTS can deliver solutions that can help with short- to long-term contributions to wastewater treatment, heavy-emission reduction, and financial challenges through design, manufacture, and invest strategies that would dramatically reduce environmental impacts.
Challenges:
This includes ensuring that the implementation of the scheme is done in a transparent manner, regulated by technological platforms and initiatives in place to prevent fraud which can only be done by implementing effectively.
Cost of Transition: The upfront costs for the transition to cleaner technologies can be high, creating a financial burden for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Market Dynamics: The functioning of the scheme would partially rely on the liquidity and stability of the carbon credit market, both of which may be affected by international economic conditions and policy shifts.
Enhancing Effectiveness:
Policy Assistance: This entails giving SMEs the financial and technical support necessary to bridge the initial gap in adopting cleaner technologies.
Conclusion: Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging all stakeholders, including industries, NGOs and the public, in the design and implementation of the scheme can ensure broader acceptance and effectiveness.
International Cooperation: The collaboration with different nations and international organizations would promote the access to best practices, technology transfer, and financial resources which would augment the reach of the scheme.
If you address these challenges and build on the advantages, India’s CCTS can play an important role in achieving its net-zero targets and driving sustainable industrial growth.
See lessConsidering the recent Parliamentary Standing Committee report, examine the challenges faced by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) and propose measures to strengthen it. (200 words)
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): Challenges and Measures to Strengthen The recent report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee has highlighted a lot of issues related to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), the body responsible for protecting the interests of ScRead more
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): Challenges and Measures to Strengthen
The recent report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee has highlighted a lot of issues related to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), the body responsible for protecting the interests of Scheduled Tribes (STs) and ensuring welfare of STs in India. These challenges not just discourage effective operation of NCST but also slow down development and empowerment of tribal communities.
The shortage of qualified personnel and resources is among the key problems identified. NCST with its skeletal staff cannot also conduct proper and timely investigation and recommendations. Also, this lack limits the ability of the commission to oversee how authorities at the state and central level are implementing its directives and ensuring compliance.
A further key challenge is the lack of independence of the NCST. The commission’s recommendations are typically advisory, and there’s no clear way to enforce them. This erodes the NCST’s authority and hampers its ability to redress issues faced by tribal communities. Moreover, the commission should have an alternative source of funding if the government or its funding source is late in providing it.
There are the following measures which can be proposed to strengthen the NCST: To start, there should be an increase in staffing and resources to allow the commission to work more efficiently. That includes hiring additional investigators, researchers and support staff. Second, the NCST must be provided with more autonomy, and its recommendations be made binding or at least subject to a mandatory review process. This would give the commission significant powers and help ensure that its decisions would be taken as seriously as the orders of any court of law by all parties involved.
Additionally, timely financial support should be guaranteed through a dedicated line in the budget. This would alleviate the commission from relying on annual government budgets, and enable its activities to be less subject to the vagaries of federal appropriations. Finally, that halfway solution should include a mechanism for regular feedback and engagement with tribal communities so that their voices are heard and their needs are met.
By overcoming these challenges and introducing these measures, it is possible to make the NCST a more effective institution for the protection and promotion of the rights of Scheduled Tribes in India.
See lessDiscuss the key issues associated with policing in India and suggest comprehensive reforms to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of the police system. (200 words)
Indian Policing: Challenges and Reforms Here are a few challenges in policing in India that make it ineffective and lack accountability. Core issues are under-staffing, outdated infrastructure, political interference and outdated training. The police, already stretched thin and inadequate, are ill-eRead more
Indian Policing: Challenges and Reforms
Here are a few challenges in policing in India that make it ineffective and lack accountability. Core issues are under-staffing, outdated infrastructure, political interference and outdated training. The police, already stretched thin and inadequate, are ill-equipped to serve a rapidly urbanizing and digitally transforming society.
A key stressor is the acute staffing shortage. In India, the police-population ratio is much below the level recommended by the United Nations, which leaves the officers overworked and overstretched. This not only compromises the level of service provided but also puts extreme stress and burnout on the police force.
Another major problem is political interference. Politicians make use of the police for their own ends, both personal and party, and it is these workings which can compromise the neutrality and integrity of law enforcement. It may result in flawed investigations and mistrust from the public.
This is a great step, but we still need overall police reforms that will make the police system more effective and accountable. The first is to increase the police-population ratio through recruitment drives and improved retention policies. Upgrading infrastructure and technology could help facilitate better operational efficiency, as is the case with installing new communication systems and data analytics.
Training should also evolve to include human rights, community policing and digital forensics. An independent oversight mechanism to monitor police conduct and complain about its investigations can help reduce political interference and ensure accountability.
In the end, a broad outline that engages with these concerns can result in a more responsive, professional and trusted police force in India.
See lessDiscuss the need for adequate measures to address the challenges and vulnerabilities in implementing social accountability initiatives and institutionalizing them. (200 words)
Social Accountability Initiatives: Challenges and Vulnerabilities Social accountability initiatives have been important in increasing transparency, improving governance, and holding public service providers accountable for their performance in serving different communities. Nonetheless, the operatioRead more
Social Accountability Initiatives: Challenges and Vulnerabilities
Social accountability initiatives have been important in increasing transparency, improving governance, and holding public service providers accountable for their performance in serving different communities. Nonetheless, the operationalization and evolution of these programs are not without particular challenges and risks that can compromise their efficacy. адки, Do you even understand what user experience means?
The big challenge is that marginalized and vulnerable groups do not participate. Barriers to engagement: these groups often face barriers such as limited access to information, lack of resources, and social exclusion. To overcome this, governments and organizations must actively seek involvement and ensure to participate these groups in a way that their voice will be heard and their needs will be address.
One of the largest hurdles is pushback from public officials and institutions. These social accountability mechanisms can be stymied by bureaucratic inertia and a lack of political will. To prevent such abuses, there need to be robust legal and policy frameworks that require transparency and accountability, along with mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement.
Moreover, sustainability of the social accountability initiatives always comes to the mind. That said, without the necessary funding and support these plans might not pan out — or create long-term change. Hence, one key long-term solution is to secure more stable funds and strengthen local organizations (an institutional capacity) to nurture these efforts over years.
Overall social accountability initiatives can have a real impact on governance and service delivery, but require consideration of both, the challenges they face as well as the vulnerabilities they are exposed to. With inclusive participation, coping with resistance, and sustainability, such initiatives can be robust and effective tools for social change.
See lessHow the development of fruits storage and processing facilities is beneficial for the farmers of Uttarakhand? Suggest suitable measures to be taken by the Government in this respect. [Answer Limit: 250 words] [UKPSC 2016]
Fruits Storage and Processing Infrastructure: A Way to Prosperity of Farmers of Uttarakhand Uttarakhand: Important Fruit of Uttarakhand: Nature's bounty, Uttarakhand is also known as the "Land of the Gods" but it is rich in its agricultural diversity too. But inadequate storage and processing capabiRead more
Fruits Storage and Processing Infrastructure: A Way to Prosperity of Farmers of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand: Important Fruit of Uttarakhand: Nature’s bounty, Uttarakhand is also known as the “Land of the Gods” but it is rich in its agricultural diversity too. But inadequate storage and processing capabilities have for years held back regional farmers, causing massive harvest waste and significant price volatility. Such facilities, if developed, can transform the agricultural sector and offering numerous benefits to the farmers of Uttarakhand.
The Importance of Storage and Processing Facilities
Lower Post Harvest Loses: Fruits can spoil easily, but with the establishment of cold storages and ripening chambers, the percentage of post-harvest losses is reduced. The goal is to maximize the harvests that make it to the market, enabling producers to achieve more income.
Additional Value: Processing units are capable of transforming fruits into juices, jams, dehydrated fruits, among others. And not only does this prolong the produce’s shelf life, but adds value to the produce as farmers can charge more for the processed product.
Market Access—Many farmers can only reach local markets due to inadequate storage and processing capabilities. It allows for more varieties of the market option, resulting in favorable prices, and more resilient income streams.
Employment Opportunities: The opening of these facilities can generate employment within the local area, including positions in operations to management, thus enhancing the local economy.
Government Actions to Stimulate Development
Subsidies: Subsidies and low-interest loans for the construction and maintenance of storage and processing facilities for farmers and cooperatives.
Technical Assistance: Farmers should be trained on modern storage techniques and processing technologies. This ensures they are used accordingly and no-one else uses them.
Creating an Infrastructure: Investment in electricity supply and road connectivity. Better infrastructure will speed up delivery of fruits to storage and processing units and minimize transit losses.
Creating market linkages: The government needs to create platforms for domestic and international buyers to connect with farmers. These may be e-commerce platforms and trade fairs.
Support for Research Institutions to Develop Region-Specific Storage and Processing Technologies: This will help create the requisite infrastructure for storage and processing of horticultural crops based on the unique agro-climatic and socio-economic peculiarities of Uttarakhand
These steps, if taken judiciously, shall help enhance the socio-economic condition of the farmers of Uttarakhand and this state could become a torch-bearer and an ideal state for agricultural development in the country.
See lessWhat were the objectives in creating World Bank? State the main principles underlying the lending policy of the Bank. [Answer Limit: 250 words] [UKPSC 2016]
Established at the Bretton Woods conference in 1944, the World Bank was primarily set up to increase economic development and reduce poverty in low- and middle-income countries. It began by assisting in the rebuilding of war-racked European economies, but has since evolved into a lender for much widRead more
Established at the Bretton Woods conference in 1944, the World Bank was primarily set up to increase economic development and reduce poverty in low- and middle-income countries. It began by assisting in the rebuilding of war-racked European economies, but has since evolved into a lender for much wider development purposes.
The World Bank’s lending policy is rooted in its mission of achieving economic growth and improving the quality of life. These principles include:
Projects Supporting Economic and Social Development: Projects that support economic and social development, create jobs, improve infrastructure and enhance public services are a focus for the Bank.
Fiscal Prudence: Loans are extended on terms that reflect fiscal prudence, ensuring that they constitute debt that borrowing countries can service without undermining their broader economic health.
Poverty Reduction — One of the key themes in this contract is reducing poverty through niche-focused projects such as improving access to education, health care, and basic services.
Environmental Sustainability: For the Bank environmental sustainability will be a key and cross-cutting theme; environmental issues will need to be integrated into project design, as well as rolled out further into projects, and consideration will be given to the impact of project on the environment.
Development services, Good Governance and Anti-Corruption: The World Bank also works to promote good governance and transparency by strengthening institutions and combatting corruption as part of an effort to ensure funds are used efficiently and for their intended purpose.
Partnerships and Collaboration: Utilising its resources and expertise, the Bank collaborates with governments, international organisations, and the private sector to maximize project impact.
These eleven principles inform the World Bank as it seeks to help reduce global poverty and inequality.
See lessCritically examine the Land Reforms Programmes since independence in India. [Answer Limit: 250 words] [UKPSC 2016]
Post-independence Indian land reform programs Beyond eradicating colonial vestiges, Indian land reform programmes (working upon the British land alienation policies)[11] before, during and after the process of independence focused upon redistributing land among the landless, hept higher agriculturalRead more
Post-independence Indian land reform programs Beyond eradicating colonial vestiges, Indian land reform programmes (working upon the British land alienation policies)[11] before, during and after the process of independence focused upon redistributing land among the landless, hept higher agricultural productivity, promotion of social justice etc. Such reforms included abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reforms, ceiling on land holdings and grant of surplus land to the landless.
The abolishment of intermediaries like zamindars and jagirdars is an important aspect of breaking these feudal patterns in our society. This measure redistributed power over the land, limiting landlords’ power and further securing the tenures of tenant farmers. The rollout, though national in scope, was uneven across regions, with some states getting better results than others, as evidenced by the differences in political will and administrative muscle.
Land Law: The Tenancy reforms would protect the tenant farmers as they had flexibility in terms of rent and the right to purchase the land they leased. However, these reforms had little effect due to insufficient enforcement of the provisions and the transformation of tenancy into sharecropping contracts, consistently putting tenants in a vulnerable situation.
Ceiling laws, meant to impose a ceiling on maximum landholding, were meant to redistribute surplus land to landless and small farmers. Despite such efforts, the actual distribution of land fell short of what had been hoped, in part because of legal challenges and the unwillingness of large landowners to divest themselves of their estates. In addition, the land that was redistributed was sometimes not well-suited for agriculture.
In sum, although land reform programs have made some progress towards remedying social and economic inequalities, their effectiveness has been limited due to their uneven implementation, legal loopholes, and political opposition. However, to achieve sustainable agricultural development and social equity, future land reforms should be more concerned with strengthening implementation mechanisms, equitable land distribution and small and marginal farmers.
See lessCritically examine the Land Reforms Programmes since independence in India. [Answer Limit: 250 words] [UKPSC 2016]
Post-independence Indian land reform programs Beyond eradicating colonial vestiges, Indian land reform programmes (working upon the British land alienation policies)[11] before, during and after the process of independence focused upon redistributing land among the landless, hept higher agriculturalRead more
Post-independence Indian land reform programs Beyond eradicating colonial vestiges, Indian land reform programmes (working upon the British land alienation policies)[11] before, during and after the process of independence focused upon redistributing land among the landless, hept higher agricultural productivity, promotion of social justice etc. Such reforms included abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reforms, ceiling on land holdings and grant of surplus land to the landless.
The abolishment of intermediaries like zamindars and jagirdars is an important aspect of breaking these feudal patterns in our society. This measure redistributed power over the land, limiting landlords’ power and further securing the tenures of tenant farmers. The rollout, though national in scope, was uneven across regions, with some states getting better results than others, as evidenced by the differences in political will and administrative muscle.
Land Law: The Tenancy reforms would protect the tenant farmers as they had flexibility in terms of rent and the right to purchase the land they leased. However, these reforms had little effect due to insufficient enforcement of the provisions and the transformation of tenancy into sharecropping contracts, consistently putting tenants in a vulnerable situation.
Ceiling laws, meant to impose a ceiling on maximum landholding, were meant to redistribute surplus land to landless and small farmers. Despite such efforts, the actual distribution of land fell short of what had been hoped, in part because of legal challenges and the unwillingness of large landowners to divest themselves of their estates. In addition, the land that was redistributed was sometimes not well-suited for agriculture.
In sum, although land reform programs have made some progress towards remedying social and economic inequalities, their effectiveness has been limited due to their uneven implementation, legal loopholes, and political opposition. However, to achieve sustainable agricultural development and social equity, future land reforms should be more concerned with strengthening implementation mechanisms, equitable land distribution and small and marginal farmers.
See less