Employment & Welfare Schemes (Part – V)

21. Toilet revolution is: [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2001]

(a) Construction of free public latrines in Village Panchayats
(b) Ending night soil collection by introducting flush toilets in China
(c) A scheme of the Central Government to make flush toilets in each Nagar Nigam for the poorest of the poor
(d) To provide subsidy and loans by Government to the persons constructing flush toilets in villages and cities

Correct Answer: (d) To provide subsidy and loans by Government to the persons constructing flush toilets in villages and cities

Solution:In view of the prevention of infectious diseases, the government is providing assistance through grants and loans for the construction of flush toilets in villages and cities, C.S. (Spytains) 2008 emphasizing on the toilet construction program. This program, which is ensuring universal availability of flush toilets in India, is designated as the toilet revolution.

22. Consider the following statements related to Integrated Low Cost Sanitation (ILCS) scheme: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

I. The system is funded on sharing basis.

II. Central subsidy is 75 percent.

III. State subsidy is 25 percent.

Of these, the correct statements are:

(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III

Correct Answer: (a) I and II only

Solution:Integrated Low Cost Sanitation (ILCS) scheme started in 1980- 81 with the objective of eradicating all dry latrines and thereby liberating manual scavengers from inhuman practice of carrying night soil. The scheme also has provision for construction of new latrines for the EWS households who have no latrine facility. This scheme is funded on sharing basis in the following manner:

Central Subsidy-75%

State Subsidy-15%

Beneficiary share-10%

23. National Social Assistance Programme does not include the following scheme for 'Below Poverty Line' households: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) National Family Benefit Scheme
(b) Annapurna
(c) Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojna
(d) All of the above

Correct Answer: (c) Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojna

Solution:The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August, 1995 represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution. The programme introduced a National Policy for Social Assistance for the poor and aims at ensuring minimum national standard for social assistance in addition to the benefits the States are currently providing or might provide in future. NSAP at present, comprises of:

(i) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS);

(ii) Indira i NGandhational Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS);

(iii) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS);

(iv) National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS); and

(v) Annapurna Scheme

Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKPS) is a sub- component of the Deendayal Antodaya Yojana - NRLM (DAY-NRLM).

24. "National social assistance programme' is aimed at: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl.) (Pre) 2008]

(a) Insurance for poor
(b) Old age pension to very poor
(c) Financial support to Scheduled Castes and Tribes
(d) All of the above

Correct Answer: (b) Old age pension to very poor

Solution:The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August, 1995 represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution. The programme introduced a National Policy for Social Assistance for the poor and aims at ensuring minimum national standard for social assistance in addition to the benefits the States are currently providing or might provide in future. NSAP at present, comprises of:

(i) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS);

(ii) Indira i NGandhational Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS);

(iii) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS);

(iv) National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS); and

(v) Annapurna Scheme

Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKPS) is a sub- component of the Deendayal Antodaya Yojana - NRLM (DAY-NRLM).

25. Consider the following statements with reference to Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): [I.A.S. (Pre) 2008]

1. All persons of 60 years or above belonging to the households below poverty line in rural areas are eligible.

2. The Central Assistance under this scheme is at the rate of Rs. 300 per month per beneficiary. Under the scheme, States have been urged to give matching amounts.sale

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only

Solution:Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme was started on November 19, 2007. It was earlier known as National Old Age Pension Scheme from 1995 to 2007. Initially under this scheme, the old people aged 65 years or above living below poverty line were eligible for old age pension of Rs. 200 per month provided by the Central Assistance. The age limit has been reduced from 65 years to 60 since April 1, 2011. In this scheme State Governments can also contribute as much as they want. Under this scheme the amount for people aged 80 years and above had been increased from Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 by the Central Government from April 1, 2011. Under the scheme, States have been urged to give matching amounts. Therefore, it is clear that when the question was asked, both the statements were incorrect, but at present only statement 1 is correct.

26. The objective of 'Minimum Needs Programme' is to provide the infrastructure to: [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Urban Population
(b) Rural Population
(c) Rural-Urban Population
(d) Tribal Population

Correct Answer: (c) Rural-Urban Population

Solution:The 'Minimum Needs Programme was introduced in the country in the first year of the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78). The objective of the programme was to establish a network of basic services and facilities of social consumption in all the areas upto nationally-accepted norms, within a specified time-frame. The programme was designed to assist in raising living standards and in reducing the regional disparities in development. The programme was essentially an investment in human resources. The basic needs of the people identified for this programme were Elementary Education, Adult Education, Rural Health, Rural Roads, Rural Electrification, Rural Housing, Environmental Improvement of Urban Slums and Nutrition. It aims at "social and economic development of the community, particularly the underprivileged and underserved population."

27. The concept of 'Minimum Needs programme' is synonymous of which one of the following? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) (Spl.) 2004, R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1992]

(a) Antyodaya approach
(b) Freedom from hunger approach
(c) Investment in human approach
(d) Infrastructure development approach

Correct Answer: (c) Investment in human approach

Solution:The 'Minimum Needs Programme was introduced in the country in the first year of the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78). The objective of the programme was to establish a network of basic services and facilities of social consumption in all the areas upto nationally-accepted norms, within a specified time-frame. The programme was designed to assist in raising living standards and in reducing the regional disparities in development. The programme was essentially an investment in human resources. The basic needs of the people identified for this programme were Elementary Education, Adult Education, Rural Health, Rural Roads, Rural Electrification, Rural Housing, Environmental Improvement of Urban Slums and Nutrition. It aims at "social and economic development of the community, particularly the underprivileged and underserved population."

28. Which one of the following is not under the Minimum Needs Programme? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Rural Water Supply
(b) Social Forestry
(c) Rural Education
(d) Improvement of urban slums

Correct Answer: (b) Social Forestry

Solution:The 'Minimum Needs Programme was introduced in the country in the first year of the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78). The objective of the programme was to establish a network of basic services and facilities of social consumption in all the areas upto nationally-accepted norms, within a specified time-frame. The programme was designed to assist in raising living standards and in reducing the regional disparities in development. The programme was essentially an investment in human resources. The basic needs of the people identified for this programme were Elementary Education, Adult Education, Rural Health, Rural Roads, Rural Electrification, Rural Housing, Environmental Improvement of Urban Slums and Nutrition. It aims at "social and economic development of the community, particularly the underprivileged and underserved population."

29. Which of the following is not a measure of reducing inequalities? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2006, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009]

(a) Minimum Needs Programme
(b) Liberalization of economy
(c) Taxation
(d) Land reforms

Correct Answer: (b) Liberalization of economy

Solution:Liberalization of the economy is a method adopted for economic reform. It has no social concerns, while the remaining three options are considered as measures of reducing inequality.

30. Consider the following statements regarding the SVAMITVA scheme: [B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2023]

1. It is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Mines.

2. This scheme seeks to create geopositioning infra. structure like CORS network to benchmark the location and provides five centimetre level accuracy,

3. CORS means Cross-Origin Resource Sharing.

4. The scheme is a reformative step towards establishment of clear ownership of property in rural inhabited (Abadi) areas, by mapping of land parcels using drone technology.

Which of the above statements are incorrect?

(a) 2 and 4
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 4

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 3

Solution:SVAMITVA (Survey of villages and mapping with improvised technology in village areas) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. The scheme is a reformative step towards the establishment of clear ownership of property in rural inhabited (Abadi) areas, by mapping of land parcels using drone technology and providing 'Record of Rights' to village household owners with the issuance of legal ownership cards (Property cards/Title deeds) to the property owners. SVAMITVA leverages CORS (Continuous Operating Referencing System: which provides 5 cm level accuracy on 1:500 scale maps) and survey-grade drones to create high- resolution maps for demarcation and generation of Property Cards with accuracy. In this scheme, CORS stations serve as geopositioning infrastructure, replacing traditional chain surveys, and aiding in the creation of high-resolution maps for property demarcation. Hence, statements 1 and 3 are incorrect, while statements 2 and 4 are correct.