Daily Answer Writing

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 First World War was primarily fueled by deep-rooted rivalries and conflicts among European imperialist nations, exacerbated by historical grievances and geopolitical ambitions.

1. Crisis Leading to War

• Moroccan Crisis (1905-06): This diplomatic incident saw France gaining control over Morocco with support from Britain, Italy, and Russia, leading to Germany’s humiliation. This crisis marked a significant setback for German diplomacy (Source: “The Origins of the First World War” by James Joll).
• Bosnia Crisis (1908): Austria-Hungary’s annexation of Bosnia angered Russia, which had aspirations in the region. This incident intensified militarization in Russia, setting the stage for future conflicts (Source: “A World Undone” by G.J. Meyer).
• Balkan Wars (1912-1913): These conflicts further destabilized the region, pitting nations against each other and increasing tensions among the Great Powers.

2. Alliance Systems

The intricate web of alliances, including the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and later Britain), divided Europe into rival camps, fostering an environment ripe for conflict (Source: “The First World War” by John Keegan).

3. Militarism and Arms Race

European powers engaged in an arms race, building large military forces under the guise of self-defense. This militarism created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, particularly between Britain and Germany, as both nations sought naval supremacy (Source: “The Sleepwalkers” by Christopher Clark).

4. Colonial Rivalry

Intense competition for colonies in Africa and Asia led to tensions. Nations like Germany and Italy, feeling left out, aggressively pursued imperial ambitions, further straining relations (Source: “Imperialism: A Study” by J.A. Hobson).

5. Nationalism

Nationalistic fervor swept across Europe, leading to distrust among nations. Countries sought alliances for protection and were willing to resort to war to defend their interests (Source: “Nationalism and War” by J. McMillan).

Conclusion

These factors—crises, alliances, militarism, colonial rivalry, and nationalism—intertwined to create a volatile environment that culminated in the First World War, which lasted from 1914 to 1919, resulting in millions of casualties and widespread devastation.

मॉडल उत्तर

राष्ट्रीय आय लेखांकन का महत्व

राष्ट्रीय आय लेखांकन (NIA) एक महत्वपूर्ण तकनीक है, जिसका उपयोग किसी देश की आर्थिक गतिविधियों को मापने के लिए किया जाता है। यह सकल घरेलू उत्पाद (GDP), सकल राष्ट्रीय उत्पाद (GNP), निवल घरेलू उत्पाद (NDP) और निवल राष्ट्रीय उत्पाद (NNP) के रूप में किया जाता है। GDP सबसे अधिक स्वीकार्य संकेतक है, जो एक निश्चित अवधि में उत्पादित सभी अंतिम वस्तुओं और सेवाओं के कुल बाजार मूल्य को दर्शाता है।

राष्ट्रीय लेखांकन का महत्व

• अंतर्राष्ट्रीय तुलनाः NIA विभिन्न देशों के जीवन स्तर की तुलना करने में मदद करता है, जिससे उनकी संवृद्धि दर और विकास का आकलन किया जा सकता है।
• व्यावसायिक निर्णय: यह अर्थव्यवस्था के विभिन्न क्षेत्रकों के योगदान को दर्शाता है, जिससे व्यापारी वर्ग भविष्य के उत्पादन की योजना बना सकता है।
• नीति-निर्धारण: NIA संसाधनों के वितरण को रेखांकित करता है, जिससे सरकार समानता और विकास सुनिश्चित कर सकती है।
• नीति-मूल्यांकन: यह विशिष्ट आर्थिक उपलब्धियों और विफलताओं की पहचान करता है, जिससे सरकार की नीतियों का मूल्यांकन किया जा सके।
• वार्षिक बजट: NIA सरकार की बजटीय नीति को आकार देता है, जिससे अर्थव्यवस्था में मंदी या मुद्रास्फीति को नियंत्रित किया जा सके।

जी. डी. पी. को प्रभावित करने वाले कारक

1. प्राकृतिक संसाधन: भौगोलिक अवस्थिति और संसाधनों की उपलब्धता GDP के स्तर को प्रभावित करती है।
2. पूंजी: निवेश की मात्रा, लाभप्रदता और राजनीतिक स्थिरता पर निर्भर करती है।
3. श्रम और उद्यमिता: मानव संसाधनों की गुणवत्ता अर्थव्यवस्था की उत्पादकता को प्रभावित करती है।
4. प्रौद्योगिकी: इसका विकास उत्पादन में नवाचार के स्तर से निर्धारित होता है।
5. सरकार: नीतिगत हस्तक्षेप के माध्यम से सरकार निवेश के लिए अनुकूल वातावरण तैयार कर सकती है।
6. राजनीतिक स्थिरता: स्थिरता से संसाधनों का उचित आवंटन संभव होता है।

जी. डी. पी. को केवल आर्थिक विकास के मापदंड के रूप में नहीं, बल्कि सामाजिक और लैंगिक असमानता के संदर्भ में भी देखना आवश्यक है। (स्रोत: ब्रिटानिका, एनएचएम)

Model Answer

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are crucial in managing disasters at the grassroots level due to their proximity to the local population. However, they face several challenges in performing effective disaster management:

1. Lack of Clarity in Roles and Responsibilities: According to the National Disaster Management Act (2005), the roles and responsibilities of PRIs in disaster management are not clearly defined. These are often left to the discretion of state governments, causing confusion and inefficiencies.
2. Inadequate Devolution of Powers: Many states fail to devolve sufficient powers to PRIs, which results in a lack of autonomy and resources for disaster management. Without necessary authority, PRIs struggle to execute disaster relief operations effectively.
3. Insufficient Funding: PRIs often face budgetary constraints as they do not receive enough financial resources. They are also bypassed by state-controlled departments during disaster response, limiting their capacity to mobilize resources.
4. Lack of Training and Preparedness: Elected representatives and PRI functionaries often lack training in disaster management techniques, reducing their ability to handle crises efficiently.

How the Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s Disaster Management Plan Can Help

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s Disaster Management Plan aims to address these challenges by strengthening the role of PRIs in disaster management:

1. Institutional Arrangements: The plan calls for establishing village committees and Panchayat-level working groups for planning, implementation, and monitoring disaster management activities.
2. Mainstreaming Community-Based Disaster Management Plans: Each village will have its own Village Disaster Management Plan (VDMP), which will be integrated into the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and further linked to Block and District Development Plans.
3. Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Mapping: The plan advocates for mapping vulnerabilities and risks, helping PRIs to prepare for natural disasters like floods, cyclones, and earthquakes in their respective areas.
4. Social Inclusion: The plan emphasizes the inclusion of vulnerable groups, such as children, the disabled, and marginalized communities, ensuring that disaster management strategies are inclusive.
5. Capacity Building: The plan includes competence-based training for PRI members to equip them with disaster management skills and knowledge.
6. Coordination and Convergence: It proposes coordinated efforts with various government agencies and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure a more structured and unified approach to disaster response.

By addressing these issues, the Ministry’s Disaster Management Plan empowers PRIs, enabling them to play a more proactive and efficient role in disaster management at the grassroots level.