How will you know whether a worker is working in the informal sector?
The following features help to recognise a worker working in the informal sector:
i. A worker working in an enterprise (other than the public sector establishments and the private sector establishments) hiring 10 or less than 10 workers.
ii. This sector includes millions of farmers, agricultural labourers, owners of small enterprises and self employed. These sections of people are not hired worker.
iii. A worker working in informal sector does not enjoy social security benefits such as provident fund, gratuity, pension, etc.
iv. The economic interest of the workers working in the informal sector is not protected by any Labour Laws other than Minimum Wages Act. Therefore, workers in the informal sector are highly exposed to the uncertainties of the market and have low bargaining power.
Find the odd man out (i) owner of a saloon (ii) a cobbler (iii) a cashier in Mother Dairy (iv) a tuition master (v) transport operator (vi) construction worker.
Why are regular salaried employees more in urban areas than in rural areas?
Why are less women found in regular salaried employment?
Compared to urban women, more rural women are found working. Why?
Analyse the recent trends in sectoral distribution of workforce in India.
Define worker-population ratio.
The following table shows distribution of workforce in India for the year 1972-73. Analyse it and give reasons for the nature of workforce distribution. You will notice that the data is pertaining to the situation in India 30 years ago!
Place of Residence | Workforce (in millions) | ||
Male | Female | Total | |
Rural Urban |
125 32 |
69 7 |
195 39 |
An establishment with four hired workers is known as (formal/informal) sector establishment.
Is it necessary to generate employment in the formal sector rather than in the informal sector? Why?
Who is a casual wage labourer?
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Define a plan?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
Why is agricultural diversification essential for sustainable livelihoods?
What are the alternative channels available for agricultural marketing? Give some examples.
Why was the public sector given a leading role in industrial development during the planning period?
What is the state of rural infrastructure in India?
Highlight any two serious adverse environmental consequences of development in India. India’s environmental problems pose a dichotomy — they are poverty induced and, at the same time, due to affluence in living standards — is this true?
Discuss economic reforms in India in the light of social justice and welfare.
What were the main causes of India’s agricultural stagnation during the colonial period?
Enlist some problems faced by farmers during the initial years of organic farming.
Explain the steps taken by the government in developing rural markets.
Why did RBI have to change its role from controller to facilitator of financial sector in India?