Employment & Welfare Schemes (Part – IV)

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

(a) 2nd October, 1950 A.D.
(b) 2nd October, 1951 A.D.
(c) 2nd October, 1952 A.D.
(d) 2nd October, 1953 A.D.

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]

(a) In 1958
(b) In 1955
(c) In 1952
(d) In 1951

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]

(a) Organization of economic planning
(b) Organization of Panchayati Raj
(c) Development of SC and ST
(d) Protection of girl child

Correct Answer: (b) Organization of Panchayati Raj

Solution:Community Development Programme had paved the way for organization of Panchayati Raj.

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

(a) S.K. Dey
(b) J.L. Nehru
(c) B.R. Mehta
(d) Jay Prakash Narayan

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.

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.

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?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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.

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:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

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]

(a) Resident Indian citizen only
(b) Persons of age from 21 to 55 only
(c) All State Government employ after the date of notification
(d) All Central Government employees including those of Armed Forces joining the service on or after1st April, 2004

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.