Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
4. Examine the urgent need to strengthen the public distribution system and the MGNREGS to deal with the pandemic induced distress in the rural areas. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article reflects upon the concerns around rural distress owing to the pandemic situation and the ways to overcome it.
Key Demand of the question:
Examine the urgent need to strengthen the public distribution system and the MGNREGS to deal with the pandemic induced distress in the rural areas.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with brief background of the context of the question.
Body:
Highlight the details of the issue with some supporting facts (Take hints from the article).
Explain why there is an urgent need to strengthen the public distribution system (PDS) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Suggest policies needed for higher growth and reduction in inequality of rural areas. Discuss possible solutions in detail.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Vaccination, expansion in rural healthcare and cash transfers should be part of the strategy to boost demand and address inequalities.
