Ch 4. WORKING INSTITUTION Class 9

4 Working Institutions

 Extra Questions 

1.What are institutions?
Answer:
The arrangements which are made in modern democracies to run the government.

2.What is office memorandum.

Ans.The 'Office Memorandum' is an Order issued by the Government of India. It is a document often used for communication within an organisation. It is recognised as a government order or circular issued by the executive branch. It is essentially a document issued by a legitimate authority that outlines the government's policy or decision.

3.What is SEBC?

Answer: SEBC is initially and Economically Backward classes. SEBC is another name. for all those people who belong to castes that are considered backward by the government. 

4.Why is the Prime Minister the most powerful man in the government? Explain.

Answer: Prime Minister is the most important political figure of the country. He is the head of the government. All the important decisions regarding the country are taken by him. He is the real executive head. 

5.Explain No Confidence Motion.
Answer:
Only a person who enjoys the support of the majority of the members of the Lok Sabha is appointed as the Prime Minister. If a no confidence motion is moved in the Lok Sabha, and passed, then,the Government has to resign.

Who are Cabinet Ministers?[
Answer:
They are usually the top level leaders of the ruling party or parties, who are in charge of the major ministries like Defence, Railway, Foreign Affairs etc. Normally, all the major decisions are taken by these ministers.

7why is there a need for political institutions? 

Ans 

• To take decisions : Countries need political institutions to take decisions regarding the welfare of the people. Institutions formulate various policies and programmes.
• Implementation : The decisions which have been taken are to be implemented. So countries need institutions to implement the decisions.
• To solve the disputes : Institutions are also needed to solve the disputes between various institutions.
•  To take right decisions : Institutions help the governments to take the right decisions.

8.Distinguish between political executive and permanent executive.
Answer:

 
9.Compare the power, tenure and working of both the Houses of the Indian Parliament. 
Or
The Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha. Explain by giving three reasons. [
Or
Which house of the Parliament is more powerful in India? Give reasons.
Or
Our Constitution does give the Rajya Sabha some special powers over the states, but Lok Sabha exercises supreme power. How? Explain. 

10.Explain the major powers and functions of the Prime Minister.

Ans 

• Link : The Prime Minister is the link between the Cabinet and the President. The decisions of the Cabinet are conveyed to the President through the Prime Minister. It is he who keeps him informed on all matters of government.
• Formation of the Cabinet: The Prime Minister prepares the list of his Council of Ministers and sends it to the President. He can reshuffle hi? Council of Ministers whenever he likes. He can also ask any minister to resign if he is not satisfied with his working.
• Leader of the Lok Sabha : The Prime Minister presides over the meetings of the Cabinet. He maintains co-ordination between different departments of the government.
• Foreign Affairs : The Prime Minister plays an important role in the management of foreign affairs. He formulates the internal and external policies of the country.
• Leader of the Party: The Prime Minister has the main say in framing the policy of his party.
• Leader of the Nation: The Prime Minister is the most important leader of the nation. People always eagerly hear his views. His views related to any internal or external policy are heard more carefully.

11.Explain the major powers and functions of the Parliament.
Answer:

• Legislative Powers : The Parliament can make laws on all those subjects which have been given in the Union List and the Concurrent List. Under certain cases, it can also make laws on those subjects which have been given in the State List.
• Control over Finance : The annual budget of the Central Government is passed by Parliament. Without Parliament’s approval, the government cannot impose any tax or incur any expenditure
• Control over executive : parliament can seek information regarding administration and can pass resolutions of no confidence motion. Question hour is also essential mechanism to check over givenment 
• Amend or new law :No bill can be passed or amendment can be done without the approval of parliament .
• Election: parliament elect President ,vice President ,speaker,Deputy  ,Chairman and vice chairman .

• 12. Write about composition of  council of minister  .

Ans 

the Council of Ministers in India has three main types of ministers, led by the Prime Minister: Cabinet Ministers (top leaders, important ministries like Defence, Finance), Ministers of State (assist cabinet ministers, sometimes with independent charge of smaller ministries), and Deputy Ministers (assist both Cabinet and Ministers of State), working as a team to run the government's executive functions.

Here's different types:

1. Prime Minister (PM): The head of the Council of Ministers, appointed by the President, who leads and guides the entire council.

2. Cabinet Ministers:

1. Full-fledged ministers holding key portfolios (e.g., Home, Finance, Defence).

2. They form the inner core (the Cabinet) and make major policy decisions.

3. Ministers of State (MoS):

1. With Independent Charge: Head smaller ministries or departments and report directly to the PM, but usually don't attend Cabinet meetings unless invited.

2. Without Independent Charge: Junior ministers who assist Cabinet Ministers or Ministers of State with independent charge.

4. Deputy Ministers:

1. The lowest rank, they assist both Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State.

Ch 4.Food Security In India Class 9

 4. FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA 

Q1. How is food security ensured in India?
Ans:  Food security is ensured in a country when the three dimensions of food security are taken care of. The three dimensions are:
Availability of food − Presence of enough food for all the persons
Accessibility of food − Absence of barrier on access to food
Affordability of food − Capability of all persons to buy food of acceptable quality
Food security has been ensured in India because of the following factors.

• Self-sufficiency of food grains − India has become self-sufficient in food grains (as was its aim since Independence) during the last thirty years. This has been because of a variety of crops grown all over the country.
• Food-security system − The availability of food grains has been ensured by the government with the help of a carefully designed food-security system. This system involves the maintenance of a buffer stock of food grains and the distribution of this food among the poorer sections of the society with the help of a public distribution system.
• Implementation of several poverty-alleviation programmes having an explicit food security component − Apart from the distribution of food through fair-price shops, the government has come up with several poverty-alleviation programmes that enhance food security; for example, mid-day meals and food-for-work.
• Involvement of cooperatives and NGOs − In addition to the role of the government in ensuring food security, various cooperatives and NGOs are also working intensively towards this direction. Mother Dairy and Amul are two examples of cooperatives involved in ensuring food security.

Q2. Which are the people more prone to food insecurity?
Ans:  A large section of people in India faces food and nutrition insecurity, with the worst affected groups including:

• People in low-income occupations like traditional crafts, small-scale services, and subsistence farming, often without land ownership.
• Individuals in informal sectors with unstable jobs, low wages, and seasonal work patterns.
• Socially disadvantaged groups such as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) facing economic challenges due to historical inequalities.
• Areas suffering from poverty, lack of infrastructure, isolation, and vulnerability to natural calamities.
• Particularly vulnerable due to physiological needs and dependence, including pregnant and nursing mothers, and children under five years old.

Q3. Which states are more food insecure in India?
Ans: The economically-backwards states with a high incidence of poverty are more food insecure in India. The states of Uttar Pradesh (eastern and south-eastern parts), Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra account for the largest number of food-insecure people in the country.

Q4. Do you believe that Green Revolution has made India self-sufficient in food grains? How?

Ans: The Green revolution has made India self-sufficient in food grain in following ways:

• In the late 1960s, the Green Revolution introduced high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of seeds to Indian farmers, along with chemical fertilizers and pesticides, boosting productivity, especially in wheat and rice.
• The increased productivity allowed India to become self-sufficient in food grains, producing enough to meet its own needs without heavy reliance on imports.
• India has avoided famines even in tough weather conditions, thanks to diverse crop production and food security measures.
• The steady availability of food grains enabled the government to establish a robust food security framework, ensuring access to food during challenging times.
• The Green Revolution's innovations in wheat and rice production have made India self-reliant in food grains, preventing famines and supporting overall food security.
  

 Q5. “A section of people in India are still without food”. Explain.
Ans: India has achieved self-sufficiency in food grains due to the Green Revolution, many people still face food insecurity, mainly due to poverty.

• Landless laborers, casual urban workers, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs) below the poverty line struggle to access regular meals.
• The PDS faces problems, such as ration shop owners diverting grains to the open market instead of distributing them to the needy.
• Low-quality grains in ration shops often remain unsold, making food access even harder for vulnerable groups.
• Corruption in the PDS and widespread poverty are the main reasons why some people still go hungry despite the country's self-sufficiency in food production.

Q6. What happens to the supply of food when there is a disaster or a calamity?
Ans: When there is a disaster or a calamity, the production of food grains decreases in the affected area. This in turn creates a shortage of food in the area. Due to the food shortage, the prices go up. The raised prices of food materials affect the capacity of many people to buy the same. When the calamity occurs in a very widespread area or is stretched over a long period of time, it may cause a situation of starvation. Massive starvation can take the form of famine.

Q7. Differentiate between seasonal hunger and chronic hunger?
Ans: Difference between seasonal hunger and chronic hunger are as follows:

Q8. What has our government done to provide food security to the poor? Discuss any two schemes launched by the government?
Ans:  The Government of India has implemented various schemes to ensure food security for the poor. Two notable schemes are:

1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): Launched in December 2000, AAY targets the "poorest of the poor" among Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Initially, it covered one crore (10 million) families, providing 25 kg of food grains per month at highly subsidized rates (₹2/kg for wheat and ₹3/kg for rice). In April 2002, the allocation increased to 35 kg per month. The scheme expanded in 2003 and 2004, covering an additional 50 lakh (5 million) families each time, ultimately reaching 2 crore (20 million) families.

2. Annapurna Scheme (APS): Launched in 2000, APS targets indigent senior citizens aged 65 and above who are eligible for but not receiving old age pensions. It provides 10 kg of food grains per month free of cost, ensuring basic nutrition for senior citizens without regular income or family support.

Q9. Why is a buffer stock created by the government?
Ans: A buffer stock of food grains is created by the government so as to distribute the procured food grains in the food deficit areas and among the poorer strata of society at a price lower than the market price. A buffer stock helps resolve the problem of shortage of food during adverse weather conditions or during periods of calamity.

Q10. Write notes on:
(a) Minimum support price
(b) Buffer stock
(c) Issue price
(d) Fair-price shops
Ans: (a) Minimum support price − The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the price at which the government buys food grains from farmers to build a buffer stock and encourage production. However, rising MSPs for rice and wheat have led farmers to shift land from coarse grains to these more profitable crops, resulting in higher procurement costs.
(b) Buffer stock − A buffer stock consists of food grains, typically wheat and rice, procured by the government through the Food Corporation of India and stored in granaries. This stock is created to distribute food in deficit areas and to poorer sections of society at prices lower than the market rate. It helps address food shortages during adverse weather or calamities.
(c) Issue Price − The food grains procured and stored by the government are distributed in food-deficit areas and among the poorer strata of society at a price lower than the market price. This price is known as the issue price.
(d) Fair-price shops − The Food Corporation of India distributes food through government-regulated ration shops, known as fair-price shops, where items are sold at lower prices than the market rate to benefit poorer families. These shops stock food grains, sugar, and kerosene oil. Families with a ration card can purchase a specified amount of these items each month.

Q11. What are the problems of the functioning of ration shops?
Ans: The problems of the functioning of ration shops are as follows:

• Food grains provided by ration shops are insufficient to meet the needs of the poor, forcing them to supplement from market sources.
• Many ration shop dealers engage in malpractices such as diverting grains to open markets for higher profits and selling poor quality grains at the shops.
• On average, individuals receive only 1 kg of PDS grains per month nationwide, which is significantly below adequate consumption levels
• Homeless individuals are often excluded from receiving ration cards, as they require a residential address for issuance.

Q12. Write a note on the role of cooperatives in providing food and related items.
Ans: Role of Cooperatives in Food Security are as follows:

• Cooperatives are crucial alongside the government in ensuring food security in India, particularly in the southern and western regions.
• Around 94% of fair price shops in Tamil Nadu are operated by cooperatives, providing affordable goods to the poor.
• Mother Dairy in Delhi sells milk and vegetables at government-set rates, contributing to accessible food supply in the capital.
• Amul, known for its milk and milk products, spearheaded the White Revolution in India, enhancing milk availability nationwide.
• The Academy of Development Science (ADS) in Maharashtra establishes Grain Banks and conducts training programs for NGOs on food security, influencing government policies.

Extra Questions 

What does ‘Food Security’ mean?

Answer: Food security means availability, accessibility and affordability of food to all people at all times. 

Which was the most devastating famine to have occurred in India?

Answer:  The most devastating famine that had occurred in India was the famine of Bengal in 1943. This famine killed thirty lakh people in the province of Bengal. 

What kind of people in rural areas are food insecure?

Answer: The worst affected groups are landless people with little or no land to depend upon, traditional artisans, providers of traditional services, petty self employed workers and destitute including beggars.

Which other parts of society are prone to food insecurity?

Answer: The SCs, STs and some sections of OBCs who have either poor land base or very low land productivity are prone to food insecurity

What is buffer stock?

Answer: Buffer stock is the stock of food grains, namely wheat and rice procured by the government through Food Corporation of India (FCI).  

What are Fair Price Shops?

Answer: Ration Shops, also known as Fair Price Shops, keep stocks of food grains, sugar, kerosene oil, etc. These items are sold to people at a price lower than the market price.

What is the role of ADS?

Answer: ADS is Academy of Development Science which has facilitated a network of NGOs for setting up grain banks in different regions. 

What is Minimum Support Price?

Answer: The FCI purchases wheat and rice from the farmers in states where there is surplus production. The farmers are paid a pre-announced price for their crops. This price is called Minimum Support Price. 

How do PAPs enhance food security?

Answer: Poverty Alleviation Programmes such as PDS, mid-day meals, etc. are exclusively food security programmes. Most of these PAPs are meant for rural areas and enhance food security.

What is TPDS?

Answer: From June 1997, in a renewed attempt. Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was introduced to adopt the principle of targeting the ‘poor in all areas’. It was for the first time that a differential price policy was adopted for poor and non-poor.

What is a ‘Subsidy’?

Answer: ‘Subsidy’ is a payment that a government makes to a producer to supplement the market price of a commodity. Subsidies can keep consumer prices low while maintaining a higher income for domestic producers. 

What is the role of cooperatives in food security?

Answer: The cooperatives are also playing an important role in food security in India especially in southern and western parts of the country. The cooperative societies set up shops to sell low priced goods to poor families. 

Why do we need ‘food security’?

Answer: Food security is needed because:
(i) The poorest section of the society might be food insecure most of the times.
(ii) People above the poverty line might also be food insecure when the country faces a national disaster or calamity like an earthquake, drought, flood, tsunami, etc.
(iii) There can also be a widespread failure of crops causing famines, etc. 

4. Poverty as a challenge class 9

 Q1. How is the poverty line estimated in India?

Ans: In India, the poverty line is estimated based on the income or consumption needed to meet basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter.

Calculating food requirements in calories:

• Rural areas: 2400 calories per person per day
• Urban areas: 2100 calories per person per day.                                       In India, the poverty line is estimated through a formula in which the physical quantities like a minimum level of food requirement, clothing, footwear, fuel and light, educational and medical requirement etc. are multiplied by their prices in rupees.

The cost to meet these needs is determined and adjusted for inflation.

For 2011-12, the poverty line was set at:

• Rs 816 per person per month in rural areas
• Rs 1000 per person per month in urban areas.                                             The poverty line is estimated periodically (normally every five years) by conducting sample surveys and these surveys are carried out by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO).

Q2. Do you think that the present methodology of poverty estimation is appropriate?
Ans: The current methodology for estimating poverty focuses mainly on minimum subsistence levels. A person is considered poor if their income or consumption is below a specific threshold needed to meet basic needs.

• This approach does not account for a reasonable standard of living.
• It primarily measures income or consumption levels.
• Different countries have varying definitions of what constitutes basic needs.
• For example, lacking a car may indicate poverty in the US, while in India, it is seen as a luxury.

Many experts argue that the definition of poverty should be broadened to include factors like:

• Education
• Healthcare
• Job security and self-confidence
• Freedom from discrimination

Overall, the current method may be too narrow and does not fully capture the complexities of poverty.

Q3. Describe poverty trends in India since 1973?
Ans: Overall decline in poverty: Since 1973, India has seen a significant drop in poverty levels:

• Poverty fell from approximately 55% in 1973 to 36% in 1993, and further to 22% in 2011-12.
• All states have experienced a decline in poverty since the early 1970s, although the rate of reduction varies.
• As of the Multidimensional Poverty Index 2019-21, the national poverty rate is 15%.
• States such as Kerala, Gujarat, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir have shown notable improvements.

Despite the overall decline, disparities exist among states. For

 instance:

• States like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi had a headcount ratio below 10% in 2019-21.
• States such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have made significant progress.

In summary, while poverty has decreased in India, the pace and extent of this reduction vary across different regions.

Q4. Discuss the major reasons for poverty in India?

Ans: Major reasons for poverty in India:

• Colonial Rule: India went through a long phase of low economic development under the British colonial administration. The policies of the colonial government ruined traditional handicrafts and discouraged the development of industries like textiles.
• Low economic growth and high population growth: The Indian administration’s failure on the two fronts − promotion of economic growth and population control perpetuated the cycle of poverty.
• Rural Poverty: The effects of agricultural and rural development were limited to only certain parts of the country. The presence of huge income inequalities is a major reason for the high poverty rates in rural areas.
• Urban Poverty: The jobs created by the industrial sector haven't been enough for everyone looking for work. Because they can't find good jobs in cities, many people end up working as rickshaw pullers, vendors, construction workers, or domestic servants. 

Q5. Identify the social and economic groups which are most vulnerable to poverty in India.
Ans: The social groups most vulnerable to poverty in India include:

• Scheduled Castes households
• Scheduled Tribes households

The economic groups at risk are:

• Rural agricultural labour households
• Urban casual labour households

Q6. Give an account of interstate disparities of poverty in India.
Ans: The proportion of poor people varies significantly across Indian states. Key points include:

• The average Head Count Ratio (HCR) in India was 22% in 2011-12.
• In 2019–21, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh had high multidimensional poverty ratios.
• In contrast, states such as Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu have seen significant reductions in poverty.
• These states have achieved this through a combination of agricultural growth and human capital development.
• States like Punjab and Haryana have also successfully reduced poverty, primarily through high agricultural growth rates.

Q7. Describe global poverty trends.
Ans:  The success rate of reducing poverty varies significantly across different regions, leading to disparities in poverty levels. 

• Odisha, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh are the three poorest states, with poverty rates of 47%, 42%, and 37% respectively.
• Conversely, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh are among the states with the lowest poverty levels.

Globally, there has been a notable decline in poverty:

• China and South-East Asia, rapid economic growth and significant investments in human resources have led to a reduction in poverty.
• In Latin America, the poverty rate has remained relatively stable.
• In Sub-Saharan Africa, poverty declined slightly from 36.6% in 2017 to 35% in 2019.
• Poverty has also emerged in some former socialist countries, such as Russia, where it was previously negligible.

Q8. Describe the role of government in reducing poverty in India?

Ans: The removal of poverty is a key goal of India's development strategy. Some notable targeted anti-poverty programmes include:

• Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY): Launched in 1993, this programme aims to create self-employment opportunities for educated unemployed youth in rural areas and small towns.
• Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY): Initiated in 2000, it focuses on improving basic services such as primary health, education, rural housing, drinking water, and electrification.
• Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP): Started in 1995, this programme aims to create self-employment opportunities in rural and urban areas.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Enacted in September 2005, it guarantees 100 days of employment per year to every rural household in 200 districts, with plans to expand to 600 districts. One-third of the jobs are reserved for women.

Q9. What do you understand by human poverty?
Ans: Human poverty is a concept which shows that however a large number of people may have been able to feed them but they do not have a reasonable level of living. As; most of the people can fulfil their minimum food requirements but cannot get good education, shelter, health care or job security etc.

Q10: Who are the poorest of the poor?

Ans: .In poor households; women, old people and children (especially girl children) struggle the most because of poor lack of proper medical care, awareness and education etc. So, these people are known as the poorest of the poor.

Q11: What are the main features of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005?

Ans: The main features of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 are:

• The Act guarantees 100 days of employment each year for every rural household.
• It reserves one-third of the jobs for women.
• The Act promotes sustainable development to combat issues like drought, deforestation, and soil erosion.
• Employment shares for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women are 23%, 17%, and 53% respectively.
• The wage rate for workers is regularly revised and has increased over the years.
• The scheme has provided 220 crore person-days of employment to 4.78 crore households.

Q12: Differentiate between consumption-based poverty line and NMP Index-based poverty estimates.

Ans: 

Q13: List the indicators used to estimate multidimensional poor in India.

Ans: The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMP Index) developed by NITI Aayog uses the following 12 indicators to assess multidimensional poverty in India:

• Nutrition: A household is deprived if any child (0-59 months), woman (15-49 years), or man (15-54 years) is undernourished.
• Child-Adolescent Mortality: A household is considered deprived if a child or adolescent under 18 has died within the last five years.
• Maternal Health: A household is deprived if any woman has given birth in the last five years without skilled medical assistance.
• Years of Schooling: A household is deprived if no member aged 10 or older has completed six years of schooling.
• School Attendance: A household is deprived if any school-aged child is not attending school.
• Cooking Fuel: A household is deprived if it uses biomass like wood, dung, or coal for cooking.
• Sanitation: A household is deprived if it lacks improved sanitation or shares a facility with others.
• Drinking Water: A household is deprived if it lacks access to safe drinking water or if the source is over 30 minutes away.
• Housing: A household is deprived if it has inadequate housing made from natural or rudimentary materials.
• Electricity: A household is deprived if it has no access to electricity.
• Assets: A household is deprived if it does not own more than one essential asset and lacks a car or truck.
• Bank Account: A household is deprived if no member has a bank or post office account.

Extra Questions 

What is poverty?

Answer

Poverty means a situation in which a person is unable to get minimum basic necessities of life i:e. food, clothing and shelter for his or her sustenance.

What is the vulnerability of poverty?

Answer: Vulnerability of poverty is a measure, which describes the greater probability of certain communities or individuals of becoming or remaining poor in the coming years. 

Explain social exclusion concept of poverty.

Answer

According to this concept, poverty must be seen in terms of the poor having to -live only in a poor surroundings with other poor people, excluded from enjoying the social equality of better-off people in better surroundings. Social exclusion can be both a cause and a consequence of poverty in the usual sense. Broadly, it is a process through which individuals or groups are excluded from facilities, benefits and opportunities that others enjoy.

How vulnerability to poverty is determined?

Answer: Vulnerability is determined by the options available to different communities for finding an alternative living in terms of assets, education, health and job opportunities

Explain the principle measures taken in Punjab, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh to reduce poverty.
Answer:
The measure taken in Punjab, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh to reduce poverty are :

• The principal measures taken in Punjab to reduce poverty is increasing the agricultural growth rates.
• Kerala has focused more on human resource development to reduce poverty.
• Andhra Pradesh focused on public distribution of food grains to reduce poverty.