Model Answer

Multi-Dimensional Poverty: A Comprehensive Overview

Concept of Multi-Dimensional Poverty

Multi-dimensional poverty extends beyond just income to assess deprivation across three key dimensions: living standards, education, and healthcare. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of the various challenges faced by poor individuals. The Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) provides a more effective model for identifying poverty as it utilizes data from household surveys that capture overlapping deprivations, enabling better comparisons across regions and socio-economic groups (Source: NITI Aayog, “National Multidimensional Poverty Index: Baseline Report and Dashboard”).

Measures Implemented in India

To combat multi-dimensional poverty, India has initiated a range of measures:

1. Child Mortality: Programs like the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) incentivize institutional deliveries, while the India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) aims for a “Single Digit Neonatal Mortality Rate” by 2030. Other initiatives include the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) and the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) for quality antenatal care (Source: Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare).
2. Nutrition: The National Nutrition Mission and the PM-POSHAN scheme target malnutrition, alongside Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) for treating severe acute malnutrition. The government also promotes iron and folic acid supplementation to prevent anemia among vulnerable groups (Source: National Nutrition Mission).
3. Education: Schemes such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Mahila Samakhya Programme enhance educational access, while the New Education Policy 2020 aims for universal access to education at all levels (Source: Ministry of Education).
4. Living Standards: Initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana focus on sanitation and housing, respectively. Clean drinking water is facilitated through the Swajal scheme, and PM Ujjwala Yojana provides clean cooking fuel (Source: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation).

To successfully address multi-dimensional poverty, continuous efforts are essential, including focusing on economic growth, agricultural development, and implementing Universal Basic Income to meet Sustainable Development Goal 1: ending poverty in all forms (Source: United Nations).

Model Answer

The Home Rule Movement in India emerged as a significant response to British colonial rule, inspired by the Irish Home Rule League. Its aim was to secure Dominion status for India within the British Empire, similar to that enjoyed by countries like Australia and Canada.

Evolution of the Home Rule Movement

1915: The movement gained momentum when Annie Besant initiated her campaign for Home Rule in early 1915, advocating for self-government for India after World War I. She utilized her newspapers, New India and Commonweal, along with public meetings to spread her message.

1916: In May, Lokmanya Tilak launched his own Home Rule League, establishing six branches across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Berar, and the Central Provinces. In contrast, Annie Besant’s league boasted over 200 branches, including a significant presence in Bombay. Besant’s London branch was established in June, and her Indian Home Rule League began in Madras in September, with key associates like George Arundale and B.W. Wadia.

The agitation attracted numerous prominent leaders, including Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhulabhai Desai, and Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

1919: By mid-1917, Annie Besant and her associates were arrested, leading to a decline in the movement. By 1919, the agitation had largely dissipated due to ineffective organization, communal riots, and the announcement of constitutional reforms.

Contributions of the Home Rule Movement

1. Mass Mobilization: The movement shifted the focus of the freedom struggle from the educated elite to the masses, widening participation.
2. Organizational Links: It established connections between urban and rural areas, fostering a sense of unity.
3. Nationalist Generation: The movement nurtured a new generation of nationalists, preparing them for future political activism in the Gandhian style.
4. Influencing Reforms: The agitation influenced the August 1917 Declaration of Montagu and the Montford reforms.
5. Revival of Congress: The efforts of Tilak and Besant facilitated the reunion of Moderates and Extremists at the Lucknow Pact in 1916, revitalizing the Indian National Congress as a key player in the nationalist movement.

Overall, the Home Rule Movement played a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of India’s struggle for independence, laying the groundwork for future political developments.

Sources: Historical accounts of the Home Rule Movement, Indian National Congress documents.

Model Answer

What is Gender Budgeting?

Gender budgeting refers to the incorporation of a gender perspective throughout the budgetary process, with the aim of promoting gender equality by restructuring revenues and expenditures. The objectives of gender budgeting include promoting accountability and transparency in fiscal planning, enhancing gender-responsive participation in budget preparation, and advancing gender equality and women’s rights (Source: Government of India, Union Budget 2005-06).

In India, the initiative began with the introduction of the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) in the Union Budget for 2005-06, marking a significant step towards integrating gender perspectives into financial decision-making.

Challenges in the Indian Context

Despite its potential, gender budgeting in India faces several challenges:

1. Insufficient Resources: Gender budgeting allocations remain minimal, averaging about 0.7% of GDP from 2008-09 to 2019-20, which is less than 1% of total GDP (Source: Ministry of Finance).
2. Concentration in Certain Sectors: A significant portion of the gender budget (85-90%) is allocated to just four ministries: Rural Development, Education, Health, and the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). This concentrated approach limits broader gender-responsive funding (Source: Gender Budget Report).
3. Methodological Inaccuracies: The GBS suffers from methodological inaccuracies, particularly in generating comprehensive sex-disaggregated data, which is essential for effective budgetary integration (Source: Gender Budget Statements).
4. Weak Accountability Mechanisms: Although the GBS is mandated, there is a lack of effective accountability to assess the impact of allocations for female beneficiaries. Parliamentary roles in budget formulation and execution also remain limited (Source: Parliamentary Standing Committee Reports).
5. Lack of Political Will: Institutionalizing gender budgeting requires genuine political commitment to reform traditional budget-making processes, addressing inherent biases (Source: Policy Analysis Group).

Despite these hurdles, gender budgeting serves as a crucial tool for evaluating government spending on women’s empowerment, reflecting India’s endeavor towards achieving gender equality goals. Continuous reassessment of budgeting strategies is vital to adapt to emerging needs and trends effectively.

Model Answer

The National Commission for Women (NCW) was established as a statutory body under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. Its primary objective is to empower women and ensure their equality and participation in all areas of life.

Composition of the NCW

According to Section 3 of the National Commission for Women Act:

• Chairperson: A person committed to women’s causes.
• Five Members: Individuals with integrity and experience in various fields such as law, trade unionism, women’s organizations, administration, health, and education. At least one member must be from Scheduled Castes and one from Scheduled Tribes.
• Member-Secretary: An expert in management or sociology, or a civil service officer with relevant experience.

Functions of the NCW

As per Section 10 of the National Commission for Women Act, the NCW is tasked with:

1. Investigating matters related to women’s constitutional safeguards and laws.
2. Submitting an annual report to the Central Government on the effectiveness of these safeguards.
3. Making recommendations for legislative reforms and advising the Government on policies affecting women.
4. Addressing violations of women’s rights by engaging with appropriate authorities.
5. Taking suo-moto notice of issues impacting women’s rights, with the authority of a civil court.

Initiatives for Women Empowerment

The NCW has implemented several initiatives to promote women’s empowerment, including:

• Online Complaint System: A fully functional online platform for the registration and resolution of complaints.
• Suo-moto Actions: Prompt investigations and prosecutions of offenders for offenses against women.
• Support for NRI Marriages: Assistance in resolving issues related to non-resident Indian marriages in collaboration with relevant authorities.
• Gender Sensitization Programs: Training for police officials to handle cases involving distressed women compassionately.
• Legal Awareness Programs: Addressing issues like child marriage and promoting Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats. The NCW has also reviewed laws such as the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and the PNDT Act, 1994 to enhance their effectiveness.

Conclusion

While the NCW plays a critical role in empowering women and advocating for their rights, it faces challenges such as inadequate funding and limited powers. Addressing these issues is essential for enhancing its effectiveness in promoting women’s rights and empowerment.

Model Answer

Comparison of Powers: Lok Sabha vs. Rajya Sabha

The powers of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the two houses of the Indian Parliament, differ significantly in several key areas, reflecting their distinct roles within the legislative framework.

1. Collective Responsibility

The Lok Sabha holds the exclusive power to remove the Council of Ministers through a no-confidence motion, as the Council is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha. In contrast, the Rajya Sabha can discuss and criticize government policies but cannot initiate a no-confidence motion against the Council of Ministers .

2. Money Bills

A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject it. The Rajya Sabha must return the Money Bill to the Lok Sabha within 14 days, with or without recommendations. The Lok Sabha has the final say on these recommendations, and the Money Bill is considered passed once it is returned .

3. Financial Bills

While both houses can discuss financial bills, only the Lok Sabha can introduce them. However, both houses share equal powers regarding the passage of financial bills that do not solely pertain to Money Bills .

4. Voting Powers

The Lok Sabha has exclusive voting rights on demands for grants, while the Rajya Sabha can only discuss the budget. Additionally, a resolution to discontinue a national emergency can only be passed by the Lok Sabha .

5. Special Powers of Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha possesses unique powers, such as:

• Authorizing Parliament to legislate on subjects in the State List.
• Initiating the creation of All India Services.
• Initiating the motion for the removal of the Vice-President .

Conclusion

Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha play crucial roles in the Indian legislative process, with the Lok Sabha having greater authority in financial matters and the Rajya Sabha serving as a revising chamber to protect state interests. This balance is essential for maintaining federal equilibrium in the country.