Test: Development and Policies - UGC NET MCQ

Economic Census Statements

• Statement 1: Economic Census provides essential entrepreneurial data for planning and development in the States, especially for unorganized sectors of the economy. This statement is correct.
• Statement 2: The Economic Census is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation. Hence, this statement is correct.
• Statement 3: The Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation serves as the nodal agency for conducting the Economic Census in the country. This statement is also correct.
• Statement 4: The Economic Census is conducted every five years, not every four years. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
• Statement 5: The seventh Economic Census aims to capture recent changes in the economy, such as demonetization, the Goods and Services Tax, and reductions in corporate taxes. This statement is correct.

The correct answer is: 1, 2, 3 and 5 Only.

In News

• The Central government mentioned delays in releasing the results of the Seventh Economic Census, which provides crucial data on formal and informal nonfarm enterprises nationwide, to the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance.

Key Points - Economic Census:

• Economic Census offers fundamental entrepreneurial data for planning and development, especially in unorganized sectors.
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, Government of India.
• The Census is conducted every five years and captures detailed information about employment, ownership patterns, and finance sources.
• The latest seventh Economic Census reflects changes in India's economic landscape post-policy shifts like demonetization and GST implementation.
• Historically, several Economic Censuses have been conducted across different years to provide updated economic information.

The correct answer is Streamlining administrative, developmental, and legal structure of state governments.

• Niyatam is formed by NITI Aayog for the purpose of streamlining administrative, developmental, and legal structure of state governments.

What is Niyatam?

• Niyatam Stands for NITI Initiative to Yield Aspirational Targets and Actionable Means
• Its aims to prune(shape) their administrative structure to improve their efficiency and governance.
• It says “an average state does not require more than 20 departments to run its administration".
• But most states have a much larger structure as the government feels that the 91st Amendment Act, 2003 should be met.

91st Amendment Act, 2003:

• 91st Amendment Act, 2003 limits the size of all ministries in India to 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha or state assembly.

Metropolitan Planning Committee

• A metropolitan planning committee is mandated in every metropolitan region to create a preliminary development plan. Thus, statement 1 is accurate.
• The state legislature holds the power to establish regulations concerning:
  • The structure of these committees. Therefore, statement 2 is valid.
  • The method of selecting committee members
  • The representation of various entities like the Central government, state governments, and other organizations in these committees
  • The responsibilities of these committees related to metropolitan planning and coordination
  • The process for electing committee chairpersons
• As per the law, elected members of municipalities and panchayat chairpersons within the metropolitan area must collectively choose two-thirds of the committee members from among themselves. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• The allocation of these members on the committee must align with the population ratio of municipalities and panchayats within the metropolitan area. Thus, statement 4 is accurate.

The chairpersons of these committees are responsible for submitting the development plan to the state government.

When formulating the preliminary development plan, a metropolitan planning committee should take into account:

• Plans devised by Municipalities and Panchayats
• Issues of mutual interest between Municipalities and Panchayats, like resource sharing
• The overarching objectives and priorities of the Government of India or state government
• Seek input from specified institutions and organizations as directed by the Governor

BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (ISFL) is managed by the World Bank.

The initiative aims to support developing countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation, forest degradation, sustainable agriculture, and promoting smarter land-use planning.

World Bank

• The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides funding to poorer countries for capital projects.
• It consists of two institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Development Association.
• Headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States.

Asian Development Bank

• The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established in 1966.
• Headquartered in Mandaluyong, Manila, Philippines.
• Its goal is to promote social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific region.

International Monetary Fund

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was created in 1945 and comprises 189 member countries.
• It focuses on ensuring the stability of the international monetary system.
• Headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States.

United Nations Environment Programme

• The United Nations Environment Programme coordinates environmental activities within the UN and supports developing countries in implementing eco-friendly policies.
• Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

• This initiative was introduced by the Ministry of Rural Development in 2000 in collaboration with the World Bank to offer all-weather road connectivity to all eligible unconnected habitations.
• It operates as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a funding ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State for most States, except for 8 North Eastern and 3 Himalayan States (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir) where the ratio is 90:10.
• Instead of revenue villages, it considers habitation as the primary unit for providing connectivity.
• The program aims to connect all eligible unconnected habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in plain areas, 250 persons and above in Hill States, Tribal (Schedule-V) areas, the Desert Areas, and 82 Selected Tribal and Backward Districts.
• There is also an upgradation component to ensure complete farm to market connectivity.
• For funding this scheme, 75 paise per litre is allocated from the cess on high-speed diesel.
• The scheme promotes the utilization of “Green Technologies” and non-conventional materials such as waste plastic, geo-textiles, fly-ash, iron, and copper slag for constructing rural roads.

The correct answer is 2 and 3 only.

Key Points

• UrbanShift is a GEF-funded program led by UNEP that supports more than 20 cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to adopt integrated approaches to urban development, aiming to create efficient, resilient, and inclusive cities. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.
• UrbanShift is involved in various projects in different countries, including India, to promote sustainable urban development. It engages with more than 23 cities across 9 countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Morocco, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Argentina. This initiative brings together local and global stakeholders to build a sustainable future for all. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
• The program focuses on implementing cross-sectoral strategies to reduce carbon emissions, conserve biodiversity, and promote sustainable and equitable growth. UrbanShift provides cities with a range of activities to enhance their integrated planning skills. These activities include workshops, national dialogues, geospatial analyses, climate action support, and more. Therefore, statement 3 is correct.
• UrbanShift is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It collaborates with various organizations such as the World Resources Institute (WRI), C40 Cities, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

AMRUT Scheme:

• The correct answer to the question is the AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme. This scheme was launched by the government in 2015 with the objective of improving the quality of life in urban areas and promoting economic growth. It focuses on people-centric urban planning and development.

The correct answer is 2 only.

Key Points

• The World Water Council:
  • It is a non-profit international multi-stakeholder platform.
  • It was established in 1996 on the initiative of renowned water specialists and international organizations and regulated according to the French law of July 1, 1901, known as "Association Loi de 1901", in response to an increasing concern about world water issues from the global community. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • The Council focuses on the political dimensions of water security, adaptation, and sustainability.
  • The World Water Council's mission is to promote awareness, build political commitment and trigger action on critical water issues at all levels, including the highest decision-making level, to facilitate the efficient conservation, protection, development, planning, management, and use of water in all its dimensions on an environmentally sustainable basis for the benefit of all life on earth. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • By providing a platform to encourage debates and exchanges of experience, the Council aims to reach a common strategic vision on water resources and water services management amongst all stakeholders in the water community.
  • In the process, the Council also catalyzes initiatives and activities, whose results converge toward its flagship product, the World Water Forum.

The Correct Answer is World Bank and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)

• World Bank and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) operation policies require Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) to manage project technical risk and ensure thorough evaluation of social issues.
• Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) play a significant role in project planning and development, particularly in infrastructure projects like railways. These assessments are essential to mitigate adverse impacts on local communities and the environment.

Additional Information

• World Bank:
  • The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to governments of low and middle-income countries for projects across various sectors, including infrastructure.
  • Projects funded by the World Bank are required to undergo assessments like SIA and EIA to identify potential social and environmental risks and propose mitigation measures.
  • Established in 1944, the World Bank's headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., United States.
  • The World Bank, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), is part of the World Bank Group.
  • The World Bank Group consists of five international organizations, including the IBRD and IDA.
• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency):
  • JICA is a governmental agency of Japan responsible for implementing Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA).
  • JICA provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for various projects, including infrastructure development.
  • Similar to the World Bank, JICA emphasizes the importance of social and environmental assessments in project planning. It follows strict guidelines to assess and address social and environmental impacts, including SIA and EIA.
  • Established in 1974, JICA's headquarters are located in Tokyo, Japan.

Understanding the Role of NABARD

• NABARD's Purpose: NABARD, which stands for National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, is primarily focused on the development of Agriculture and Rural Areas.
• Responsibilities: The bank is headquartered in Mumbai and is responsible for handling policies, planning, and operations related to providing credit for agriculture and various economic activities in rural parts of India.
• Focus Areas: NABARD plays a crucial role in supporting the agricultural sector by providing financial assistance, promoting rural development, and ensuring the sustainability of rural livelihoods.
• Example: For instance, NABARD offers financial support to farmers for agricultural activities such as crop cultivation, livestock rearing, and agro-processing units, contributing to the overall growth and welfare of rural communities.