Employment and Welfare Schemes (Social Development) Part-IV

Total Questions: 50

31. When was the Community Development Program started in India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]

Correct Answer: (c) 2nd October, 1952 A.D.
Solution:The community development programme was started in India, just after independence (in October, 1952). It was a multi- project programme with the aim of an overall development of rural people.

In 1957, Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended for 'Democratic Decentralization'.

After Independence, the first organized attempt to develop village cattle on an effective scale was initiated with the launch of Key Village Scheme (KVS) in August, 1952. KVS was a general comprehensive scheme drawn up by Government of India for development of cattle population in India by employing scientific methods for improvement of cattle.

The Central Government established District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in 1980 as a body of professionals to plan, monitor and evaluate rural development programmes

at district level. DRDA Administration Scheme was intro- duced from 1 April, 1999. The DRDA is the principal organ at the district level to manage and oversee the implementation of different anti-poverty programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development.

32. When did the Community Development Programme start in India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015, Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2006]

Correct Answer: (c) In 1952
Solution:The community development programme was started in India, just after independence (in October, 1952). It was a multi- project programme with the aim of an overall development of rural people.

In 1957, Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended for 'Democratic Decentralization'.

After Independence, the first organized attempt to develop village cattle on an effective scale was initiated with the launch of Key Village Scheme (KVS) in August, 1952. KVS was a general comprehensive scheme drawn up by Government of India for development of cattle population in India by employing scientific methods for improvement of cattle.

The Central Government established District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in 1980 as a body of professionals to plan, monitor and evaluate rural development programmes

at district level. DRDA Administration Scheme was intro- duced from 1 April, 1999. The DRDA is the principal organ at the district level to manage and oversee the implementation of different anti-poverty programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development.

33. The launching of Community Development Programme (on 2nd October, 1952) set the stage for: [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2007]

Correct Answer: (b) Organization of Panchayati Raj
Solution:Community Development Programme had paved the way for organization of Panchayati Raj.

The community development programme in India has been defined by the planning commission. According to them, it is an attempt made to bring and initiate economic and social transformation in the lives of villagers with the help of their efforts. The programme for community development indicates only those economic and social reconstruction projects in the villages that are implemented with the help of the cooperation of the people.

A.R. Desia has also defined this programme as the method by which the Five Year Plans can initiate the economic and social life transformation of the rural areas. So, in other words, it is a project for community development that is controlled by the community. In this programme, the community is referred to only the villages.

The aims for this programme were explained in 1973 and was laid down by the Indian Government. The community development programme started in 1952 and was launched on October 2nd 1952. The major aim of this programme was to bring an integrated development in the rural society, that covers all the aspects of the life of people.

The concept of the current schemes that are under CDP is based on the old concept only. So, the history of community development programmes in India has been protected, and it is still being followed. The Panchayat Samities are granted in-aid under the Social Education and General Education head.

This is for those activities that lead to development in the educational fields. The completion of residential buildings for staff or Blocks for the construction, along with Gram Sewak Huts, are provided with funds. These funds are also given for completing the ongoing construction of office buildings

34. Who among the following was the architect of community development in India? [U.P.P.S.C. (R.I.) 2014]

Correct Answer: (a) S.K. Dey
Solution:The main architect of community development in India was S.K. Dey. He was the first Cooperative and Panchayati Raj Minister of India. Mr. Dey is remembered as the man who pioneered and steered community development in independent India. He was instrumental in starting the Community Development Programme by the Government of India in the year 1952. Jawahar Lal Nehru was the Prime Minister at that time.

35. In which year was the 'National Extension Service launched? [B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2022]

Correct Answer: (a) 1953
Solution:The National Extension Service (NES) programme was launched in 1953. It was formed after the Indian government realized that the Community Development Programme, which was started in 1952, cannot be implemented all over India due to a shortage of funds. The NES programme was launched with the idea of having wider coverage at less cost and more people's participation.

36. Which one of the following was established as the first programme of community development? [B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2022]

Correct Answer: (b) National Extension Service
Solution:Among the given options, National Extension Service (NES) was established as the first programme of community development which was launched in 1953.

The key objectives of Community Development Programmes are:

  • Most community development programmes aim at the overall development of rural areas. They focus on improving the social and economic conditions of rural people.
  • Many programmes seek to reduce poverty and generate employment opportunities in rural areas. They provide skills and resources to improve the livelihoods of the poor.
  • Community development programmes follow a participatory approach. The community actively participates in planning and implementation. This ensures people's needs and priorities are met.
  • Programmes focus on building the organizational, technical, and managerial capacities of the community. This empowers them to sustain development activities on their own.
  • The programmes aim to bring about positive social change in the community. They change mindsets, attitudes, and traditions that hinder development.
    The ultimate aim is to make the community self-reliant by improving human and social capital. This enables them to meet their own needs in a sustainable manner.
  • The programmes seek to enhance the living standards of rural people.

37. Antyodaya Programme was started first of all in the State of: [B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (d) Rajasthan
Solution:Antyodaya Progamme was started first of all in the State of Rajasthan. Antyodaya' means development (Udaya) of the people at the bottom level, that is, the poorest of the poor. This programme was initiated by the State Government of Rajasthan in 1977-78 for special assistance to the people below the poverty line.

The term "Antyodaya" refers to a philosophy and various government programs focused on the upliftment of the poorest and most marginalized sections of society, with the core principle of ensuring the development of the "last person". Several programs across India utilize the Antyodaya concept, including Mission Antyodaya and Antyodaya Anna Yojana.

38. With reference to the government's welfare schemes, consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2002]

11. Under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, the foodgrains are available to the poorest of the poor families at Rs. 2 per kg for wheat and Rs. 3 per kg for rice.

2. Under the National Old Age Pension Scheme, the old and destitute are provided Rs. 75 per month as Central pension, in addition to the amount provided by moy State Governments.

3. Government of India has allocated 25 kg foodgrains per Below Poverty Line family per month at less than half the economic cost.

Which of these statements are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:As per the question period, all of the given statements were correct. Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

All the poor, or beneficiaries-as we call them- get food and other commodities under the AAY scheme. This is done at subsidized rates. The distribution also takes place through a public distribution system.

As per this initiative, wheat is provided at Rs.3 per Kg, Rice for Rs.2 per Kg. All eligible families will get 35 Kg of rice every month. Families which come under this section can buy 1 kg of sugar at a rate of Rs.18.50 per Kg through ration shops.

The beneficiaries of the AAY are identified by the Central and State Government of India. Once the identification is done, different coloured ration cards will be given to AAY families.

A yellow card is given for AAY families in Kerala while Telangana has a Pink ration card which is used by AAY beneficiaries. First, the family is identified as eligible and then they are given a unique "Antyodaya Ration Card". The other name for this card is PDS(public distribution card) which means yellow card

39. Regarding 'Atal Pension Yojana', which of the following statements is/are correct? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2016]

1. It is a minimum guaranteed scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers.

2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme, 3. Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber's death.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) was launched on 9 May, 2015 to create a universal social security system for all Indians, especially the poor, the underprivileged and the workers in the unorganized sector. It is a minimum guaranteed scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers.

Under the APY, the subscribers would receive the guaran- teed minimum monthly pension of Rs. 1000/2000/3000/4000/ 5000 per month, at the age of 60 years, depending on their contributions. Hence, statement 1 is correct,

APY is open to all bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 40 years and the contribution differ, based on their age and pension amount chosen. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

The monthly guaranteed pension would be available to the subscriber, and after him to his spouse and after their death, the pension corpus, as accumulated at age 60 of the subscriber, would be returned to the nominee of the subscriber. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

40. Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS)? [I.A.S (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (c) All State Government employ after the date of notification
Solution:The National Pension System (NPS) is a voluntary defined contributory pension system in India. Any citizen of India (whether resident or non-resident) and overseas citizen of India (OCI) between the age of 18-70 years can join NPS. NPS is applicable to all Central Government employees (except Armed Forces) joining the services on or after 1" January, 2004 and to all State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments.

It was opened up for all citizens of India in 2009 and for OCI card holders in October, 2019. It is administered and regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.