Daily Answer Writing

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

Challenges and Strategies for Enhancing Cooperative Federalism in India

Cooperative federalism in India aims for a collaborative governance model where both the Centre and states actively engage in shared decision-making. However, several challenges hinder its effective implementation.

Challenges

1. Ineffectiveness of Institutions: Institutions meant to bolster cooperative federalism have often underperformed. For instance, the Inter-State Council has been criticized for its infrequent meetings and non-binding recommendations, which limit its effectiveness as a decision-making body.
2. Role of NITI Aayog: While the NITI Aayog has promoted cooperative federalism, it lacks statutory authority and accountability. Its policies tend to favor already developed states, potentially perpetuating existing inequalities.
3. Governor’s Office: The misuse of the Governor’s position for political reasons has led to friction between the Centre and states, undermining the spirit of cooperation.
4. Unbalanced Regional Development: Different states experience varying levels of development, leading to perceived inequities in resource allocation. This disparity can exacerbate tensions among states.
5. Inter-State Water Disputes: Increasingly severe water shortages have led to disputes among states, complicating inter-state relations and cooperation.

Strategies for Enhancement

1. Expedited Issue Resolution: Utilize platforms like the Inter-State Council and NITI Aayog more effectively to mediate conflicts between central ministries and states, fostering a collaborative approach.
2. Addressing States’ Concerns: The Centre should be proactive in addressing genuine grievances, ensuring that the Governor’s role is not politically manipulated and promoting trust between levels of government.
3. Evidence-Based Policymaking: NITI Aayog should adopt a more data-driven approach and actively promote the sharing of best practices across states, such as through the development of a composite water management index and comprehensive action agendas.
4. Balanced Regional Development: Initiatives focused on less developed regions, particularly the North-East, can promote equity in development. Forums like the NITI Forum for North East can facilitate targeted growth strategies.
5. Strengthening Inter-State Council: Implementing recommendations from bodies like the Sarkaria Commission, including expanding the powers of the Inter-State Council, can enhance its role in resolving inter-state conflicts effectively.

By addressing these challenges and implementing these strategies, India can foster a more robust system of cooperative federalism, ultimately contributing to a stronger and more integrated nation.

Model Answer

Causes of Landslides

Landslides in the Himalayas predominantly stem from tectonic instability due to the ongoing northward movement of the Indian plate, which creates stress on geological formations. This region is also characterized by significant seismic activity, making the rocks more susceptible to landslides (Source: Indian Journal of Geology). Conversely, landslides in the Western Ghats are primarily triggered during the monsoon season, where prolonged heavy rainfall leads to soil saturation, resulting in mass movements (Source: U.S. Geological Survey).

Nature of Landslides

The scale of landslides differs substantially; those in the Himalayas tend to be massive, often displacing significant amounts of the overburden and underlying geology. In contrast, the Western Ghats mostly experience mudslides and debris flows, which are comparatively smaller in scale (Source: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms).

Frequency and Slope Instability

The frequency of landslides is notably higher in the Himalayas, where erosion and instability are accentuated by immature topography. The Western Ghats, while still vulnerable, have more stable geological conditions as they are primarily composed of harder rocks, leading to lower incidences of landslides (Source: NDMA Annual Report).

Conclusion

Despite these differences in causes and characteristics, both regions face similar devastation from landslides, exacerbated by anthropogenic activities such as construction and mining. Effective management strategies must therefore address these human impacts while considering regional geological factors (Source: Journal of Mountain Science).

मॉडल उत्तर

भारत में स्वराज पार्टी का विकास

स्वराज पार्टी, जिसे कांग्रेस-खिलाफत स्वराज पार्टी के नाम से भी जाना जाता है, का गठन 1923 में चितरंजन दास और मोतीलाल नेहरू द्वारा किया गया। इसका निर्माण असहयोग आंदोलन के अंत, भारत सरकार अधिनियम 1919 के तहत सुधारों, और 1923 के चुनावों की घोषणा के पश्चात हुआ। गांधीजी द्वारा चौरी-चौरा की घटना (1922) के बाद असहयोग आंदोलन को अचानक वापस लेने से कांग्रेस में मतभेद उत्पन्न हुए। कुछ नेता, जिन्हें परिवर्तन विरोधी कहा गया, असहयोग आंदोलन जारी रखना चाहते थे, जबकि परिवर्तनवादी नेता जैसे चितरंजन दास और मोतीलाल नेहरू विधायिकाओं में प्रवेश की आवश्यकता महसूस कर रहे थे।

गया अधिवेशन (1922) में विधायिकाओं में प्रवेश के प्रस्ताव को अस्वीकार करने के बाद, दास और उनके समर्थकों ने कांग्रेस से अलग होकर स्वराज पार्टी की स्थापना की। गांधीजी ने 1924 में बेलगाम अधिवेशन में समझौता करवाया, लेकिन अंततः कांग्रेस ने 1929 में ‘पूर्ण स्वराज’ का लक्ष्य अपनाया, जिससे स्वराज पार्टी की प्रासंगिकता कम हो गई और यह कांग्रेस में विलय हो गई।

स्वराजवादियों की उपलब्धियां

1. राजनीतिक प्रभाव: स्वराज पार्टी ने केंद्रीय विधान परिषद और बंगाल तथा बॉम्बे काउंसिल में सबसे बड़े दल के रूप में उभरकर महत्वपूर्ण प्रभाव स्थापित किया।
2. विधेयकों का विरोध: उन्होंने 1924-25 के बजट को पारित नहीं होने दिया और सार्वजनिक सुरक्षा विधेयक (1928) को भी विफल किया।
3. सरकारी नीतियों का पर्दाफाश: स्वराजवादियों ने औपनिवेशिक एजेंडे में बाधा डालकर सरकार की कुकर्मों को उजागर किया।
   • स्रोत: ऐतिहासिक दस्तावेज और विधानसभा रिकॉर्ड।

स्वराजवादियों की कमियां

1. नीति का अभाव: उनके पास एक सुसंगत नीति का अभाव था, जिससे वे जनमानस को जोड़ने में असफल रहे।
2. संचार पर निर्भरता: जनता से संवाद करने के लिए उन्होंने पूरी तरह से समाचार पत्रों पर निर्भरता दिखाई।
3. सहयोग में विफलता: परस्पर विरोधी विचारों के कारण वे अपने सहयोगियों के साथ लंबे समय तक सहयोग नहीं कर सके।
4. किसान मुद्दों की अनदेखी: उन्होंने बंगाल में किसानों के हितों का समर्थन नहीं किया, जिससे उन्होंने मुस्लिम सदस्यों का समर्थन खो दिया। (स्रोत: स्वतंत्रता संग्राम की ऐतिहासिक समीक्षा।)

यद्यपि स्वराज पार्टी ने 1926 के चुनावों में सफलता नहीं पाई, फिर भी इसने स्वतंत्रता आंदोलन में महत्वपूर्ण योगदान दिया और ब्रिटिश विरोधी संघर्ष की भावना को जीवित रखा।