NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Science (Economics)
The NCERT Solutions in English Language for Class 9 Social Science (Economics) Chapter – 3 (Poverty as a Challenge) has been provided here to help the students in solving the questions from this exercise.
Chapter – 3 (Poverty as a Challenge)
Exercises
1. Describe how the poverty line is estimated in India.
Answer – Following are the methods which are used in calculating the poverty line in India:
1. Minimum level of food requirement, foot-wear, fuel and light, clothing, educational and medical requirements etc. are the basic factors on which the basis poverty line is calculated.
2. After deciding the minimum level and amount of the physical quantities, their prices are multiplied by the nominal prices and their summation tells the minimum poverty line basis.
3. While estimating the poverty line, the present formula is based on the desired calorie requirement.
4. In urban area the accepted average calorie requirement in India is 2100 calories per person per day and in rural areas the accepted average calorie requirement is 2400 calorie per person per day.
2. Do you think that the present methodology of poverty estimation is appropriate?
Answer – No, according to me the present methodology of poverty determination is not appropriate because the present poverty estimation techniques are based on the minimum sustenance standards. The human life is far more valuable and complicated than to be weighed in the light of mere sustenance. So, the appropriation should also take in consideration important human development features like education, job security, health care etc.
3. Describe poverty trends in India since 1973.
Answer – There was a substantial decline in poverty ratios in India from about 55 % in 1973 to 36 % in 1993.
(a) The proportion of people below poverty line further came down to about 26 % in 2000.
(b) If the trend continues, people below poverty line may come down to less than 20 % in the next few years.
(c) Although the percentage of the people living under poverty declined in the earlier two decades (1973-1993) the number of poor remained stable around 320 million for a fairly long period.
(d) The latest estimates Indicate a significant reduction in the number of poor to about 260 million.
4. Discuss the major reasons for poverty in India.
Answer – The major reasons for poverty in the country are
- The low level of economic development under British colonial rule. The policies of the colonial government ruined traditional handicrafts and discouraged the development of industries like textiles.
- The spread of the Green Revolution created many job opportunities for the people of the country, yet they were not sufficient in comparison to the number of job seekers.
- The unequal distribution of land and resources is another important factor for poverty in India.
- In order to fulfil social obligations and religious ceremonies, the poor end up spending a lot, which results in poverty.
- Inequality in the income of the people is also a major reason for poverty.
5. Identify the social and economic groups which are most vulnerable to poverty in India.
Answer – Social Groups Vulnerable to Poverty :
- Scheduled Caste Households
- Scheduled Tribe Households
Economic Groups Vulnerable to Poverty :
- Rural Agricultural Labour Households
- Urban Casual Labour Households
6. Give an account of interstate disparities of poverty in India.
Answer – Poverty in India differs for different states. The success rate of reducing poverty varies from state to state, causing inter-state disparities in the poverty level. Orissa, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh are the three poorest states in India, with their people living below the poverty line 47, 42 and 37 per cent, respectively. Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are the three better-off states in India as far as poverty is concerned. There are various factors that are responsible for these interstate disparities of poverty in India.
7. Describe global poverty trends.
Answer – The success rate of reducing poverty varies from state to state, causing inter-state disparities in the poverty level. Orissa, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh are the three poorest states in India, with their people living below the poverty line 47, 42 and 37 per cent, respectively. Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are the three better-off states in India as far as poverty is concerned. There has been a substantial reduction in global poverty. Poverty declined in China and South-East Asian countries as a result of rapid economic growth and huge investments in the development of human resources. In Latin America, the ratio of poverty remained almost the same. In sub-Saharan Africa, poverty saw an upward trend rather than a downward trend. It rose from 41% in 1981 to 46% in 2001. Poverty has surfaced in some of the former socialist countries, like Russia, where formerly it was non-existent.
8. Describe the current government strategy of poverty alleviation.
Answer – Removal of poverty has one of the major objectives of Indian developmental strategy. The current government strategy of poverty alleviation is based on two planks:
(1) Promotion of Economic Growth
(2) Targeted Anti-poverty Programmes
Some of the anti-poverty programmes undertaken by government at present are discussed below:
- Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY): Started 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): Launched in 2000, this aims to create and improve basic services like primary health, primary education, rural shelter, rural drinking water and rural electrification.
- National Food for Work programme (NFWP): Launched in 2004 in 150 most backward districts of the country, this programme is open to all rural poor who are in need of wage employment and desired to do manual unskilled work.
- National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA): This act was passed in September 2005. The act provides 100 days assured employment every year to every rural household in 200 districts. Later, the scheme will be extended to 600 districts and also one third to the proposed jobs would be reserved for women.
9. Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) What do you understand by human poverty?
Answer – This concept broadens the general definition of economic poverty by including the aspects like education, healthcare, job security etc. into the methodology of marking poverty line. This is basically a concept to help improve the human life standard instead of just ensuring mere sustenance.
(ii) Who are the poorest of the poor?
Answer – Women, female infants and the elderly are considered the poorest of the poor. This is because, in a poor household, these people suffer the most and are deprived of the maximum necessities in life.
(iii) What are the main features of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005?
Answer – The main features of the National Rural Employment Act 2005 are as follows:
- To provide 100 days of wage employment to every household to ensure livelihood security in rural areas.
- Sustainable development to address the cause of drought, deforestation and soil erosion.
- One-third of the proposed jobs under this scheme have been reserved for women.
