Agreement with the Statement

1. Focus on Public Welfare

• Public Welfare Priority: When formulating public policies, civil servants must prioritize public welfare to ensure that the policies address the needs and aspirations of the populace. For instance, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was designed to enhance financial inclusion by providing banking services to the unbanked population. This focus on welfare aimed at improving economic stability and access to financial services for all, especially marginalized communities.
• Equitable Development: Policies should be formulated to address social inequalities and promote inclusive growth. For example, the Ayushman Bharat Scheme focuses on providing healthcare coverage to economically disadvantaged families, thereby promoting equitable access to healthcare services.

2. Foresight to Infer Unexpected Consequences

• Risk Assessment: Implementing policies requires foresight to anticipate potential unintended consequences and mitigate risks. The demonetization policy of 2016, while aimed at curbing black money, had significant short-term disruptions in the economy, affecting small businesses and daily wage workers. A more detailed impact assessment could have minimized these adverse effects.
• Adaptive Strategies: Civil servants should design adaptive strategies to handle unforeseen outcomes. For example, the COVID-19 vaccination drive required real-time adjustments and supply chain management to address challenges such as vaccine hesitancy and logistical issues.

In summary, public welfare must be the central focus in policy formulation, while foresight and risk management are essential to address and adapt to unforeseen consequences during implementation.