Model Answer

Introduction

India has witnessed a growing divergence between poverty and hunger, where reductions in poverty rates do not correspond with declines in hunger levels. A critical factor in this divergence is the shrinking social expenditure by the government, which compels the poor to spend more on non-food essentials, thereby squeezing their food budgets.

Body

1. Trends in Poverty and Hunger

While poverty rates have decreased in India, hunger remains a pressing issue. According to the Global Hunger Index 2020, India ranks 94th out of 107 countries, indicating a serious level of hunger. The report highlights alarming rates of child wasting and stunting, reflecting ongoing malnutrition issues.

2. Impact of Shrinking Social Expenditure

The decline in government social expenditure is a primary driver of this divergence. Fiscal constraints and changing policy priorities have led to reduced investments in essential social services such as healthcare, education, and housing. A report by Oxfam India points out that spending on health, education, and social protection as a percentage of GDP has been consistently declining.

3. Consequences for the Poor

This reduction in social spending disproportionately impacts the poor, who rely heavily on public services for their basic needs. As a result, they are forced to allocate a larger portion of their income to non-food essentials like healthcare and education. Consequently, less income is available for food, leading to a squeezed food budget. This situation exacerbates inadequate access to nutritious food, further increasing hunger and malnutrition among vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

To address the growing divergence between poverty and hunger in India, it is essential to enhance social expenditure. Adequate investment in social services will empower the poor to access essential needs without compromising their food budgets. Such measures are crucial for alleviating hunger and fostering inclusive, sustainable development outcomes.

Model Answer

Introduction

Despite India’s economic advancements, the nation still grapples with severe hunger and poverty issues. The 2022 Global Hunger Index ranks India 107 out of 121 countries, with a staggering 19.3% child wasting rate, the highest globally. Moreover, while poverty rates have declined, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, pushing many back into extreme poverty. These challenges highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and inclusive policies.

Progress Made by Successive Governments

Economic Growth

According to the World Bank, the percentage of people living in extreme poverty has significantly decreased from 45% in 1994 to around 10% in 2019, reflecting positive economic trends.

Social Welfare Programs

Governments have launched various initiatives to combat hunger and poverty, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which guarantees 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households. The Public Distribution System (PDS) also provides subsidized food grains to vulnerable populations.

Poverty Alleviation Schemes

Key schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for affordable housing and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) for financial inclusion, have been implemented to alleviate poverty.

Agricultural Focus

Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aim to enhance agricultural productivity, contributing to poverty reduction.

Despite these efforts, hunger and poverty persist due to inadequate implementation, resource constraints, and population growth.

Measures for Improvement

Strengthening Social Welfare Programs

Enhancing the implementation and monitoring of MGNREGA and PDS is crucial to ensure benefits reach intended beneficiaries.

Enhancing Agricultural Productivity

Investing in agricultural research and infrastructure can boost productivity and income, further reducing poverty.

Skill Development and Employment Generation

Fostering employment opportunities and promoting skill development can uplift people from poverty and mitigate hunger.

Universal Social Security Coverage

Ensuring universal access to social security benefits, such as pensions and healthcare, can protect vulnerable populations.

Targeted Poverty Alleviation Schemes

Implementing data-driven, targeted poverty alleviation schemes can maximize government efforts.

Public-Private Partnerships

Encouraging collaborations among government, private sectors, and civil society can mobilize resources and expertise effectively.

Conclusion

While significant progress has been made in addressing hunger and poverty, substantial challenges remain. Improved implementation, targeted interventions, and collaborative efforts are essential for India to overcome these critical issues and ensure good governance.

Model Answer

Challenges in the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, was a major step towards reducing hunger and malnutrition in India by providing subsidized food to 67% of the population. However, several challenges undermine its effectiveness:

1. Inadequate Infrastructure: Many Anganwadi centers, crucial for implementing nutritional care, suffer from poor sanitation, insufficient staff, and lack of clean drinking waterStorage and Wastage: The Food Corporation of India faces significant issues with inadequate storage facilities, leading to grain wastage due to rot and pilferage .
2. Awareness**: Many beneficiaries, especially migrant workers, are unaware of their entitlements under schemes like the One Nation One Ration Card .
3. Exclus: The digitalization of entitlements through Aadhaar has led to exclusion due to technical issues like fingerprint or iris scan mismatches .
4. **Nutritional Def The focus on food grains does not address the broader needs for a balanced, nutritious diet necessary for proper cognitive and physical development .

Measures to Improve EffectivenStrengthen Infrastructure**: Improve the infrastructure of Anganwadi centers and public distribution systems to ensure the efficient delivery of food and nutritional services .

1. Increase Storage Capacity: Addressge deficiencies to prevent wastage and ensure that food grains are stored in suitable conditions .
2. Raise Awareness: Launch nationwide awareness, especially for migrant workers, about the benefits available under various schemes .
3. Resolve Exclusion Issues: Streamline the digitalizats and resolve technical issues with Aadhaar-linked schemes to ensure inclusivity .
4. Focus on Nutrition: Expand the scope of the NFSA to include anutritional diet rather than just food grains to improve health outcomes, especially for children and pregnant women .

Addressing these challenges is crucial for the NFSA to meet its goal of proviehensive food and nutritional security to India’s vulnerable populations.

Model Answer

Despite a reduction in extreme poverty, access to healthy food in India remains a significant challenge. Several factors contribute to this:

1. 1. 1. High Inflation and Stagnant Wages
         Food inflation in India has consistently hovered around 8%, while real wages have remained stagnant. According to the State of Working India 2023 report, earnings from regular wage and salaried work have not increased significantly between 2017-2021. This economic strain makes it difficult for many to afford nutritious food, as higher food prices outpace income growth.
      2. Over-reliance on Rice and Wheat
         India’s Public Distribution System (PDS), which serves over 80 crore people, predominantly focuses on rice and wheat. While these staples are calorie-dense, they are low in essential nutrients like zinc and iron. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has pointed out that high-yielding varieties of rice and wheat are poor at absorbing critical micronutrients from the soil, thus affecting overall nutrition levels.
      3. Food Wastage
         Inefficient post-harvest management in India leads to an annual loss of 10-25% of vegetables, exacerbating food insecurity. The lack of proper storage and transportation infrastructure means that much of the available healthy food never reaches consumers, reducing its accessibility.
      4. Lack of Awareness About Nutrition
         A significant portion of the population is unaware of balanced diets and healthy eating practices. According to reports, 85% of Indians are unaware of vegetarian protein sources, and over 50% don’t know about healthy fats, highlighting a critical knowledge gap about nutrition.

Measures to Improve Access to Healthy Food

1. 1. 1. Improving Affordability
         The government must focus on making nutritious food more affordable. Reforms in the PDS, including the introduction of a broader range of nutritious foods, can make a significant difference. Transparent monitoring of food inflation is also essential to ensure that prices of healthy food remain stable.
      2. Agricultural Reforms
         Incentives should be provided to diversify agriculture, encouraging the cultivation of a variety of nutrient-rich crops. Additionally, improving the storage and transportation infrastructure can help reduce food wastage and ensure more healthy food reaches the market.
      3. Education and Awareness
         Nationwide nutrition education campaigns, especially in schools and rural communities, can raise awareness about balanced diets and the importance of healthy eating. These initiatives could significantly reduce malnutrition and improve overall public health.

In conclusion, addressing these barriers through targeted policy changes and awareness campaigns will be critical in making healthy food accessible to all. Efforts like Mission POSHAN 2.0 and the inclusion of millets in PDS by states like Karnataka are encouraging steps forward.