Those public sector undertakings which are making profits should be privatised. Do you agree with this view? Why?
An efficient and profit earning PSU is a revenue generator for the government. But if a PSU is an inefficient and loss making one, then the same PSU exerts unnecessary burden on the government's scarce revenues and further may lead to budget deficit. The loss making PSUs should be privatised whereas it would not be fair to privatise a profit making PSU. Privatising a PSU may lead to concentration of monopoly power in the private hands. Further some of the PSUs like, water, railways, etc. enhance the welfare of the nation and are meant to serve the general public at a very nominal cost. Privatisation of such important PSUs will lead to loss of welfare of poor people. Hence, only less important PSUs should be privatised while leaving the core and important PSUs to be owned by the public sector. Instead of privatisation of profit-making PSUs, the government can allow more degree of autonomy and accountability in their operations, which will not only increase their productivity and efficiency but also enhance their competitiveness with their private counterparts.
How is RBI controlling the commercial banks?
Distinguish between the following
(i) Strategic and Minority sale
(ii) Bilateral and Multi-lateral trade
(iii) Tariff and Non-tariff barriers.
Agriculture sector appears to be adversely affected by the reform process. Why?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Why did RBI have to change its role from controller to facilitator of financial sector in India?
Do you think outsourcing is good for India? Why are developed countries opposing it?
Do you think the navaratna policy of the government helps in improving the performance of public sector undertakings in India? How?
What do you understand by devaluation of rupee?
Why has the industrial sector performed poorly in the reform period?
Why are tariffs imposed?
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?
Who is a worker?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
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?
Give reasons for the slow growth and re-emergence of poverty in Pakistan.
The three dimensional attack on poverty adopted by the govern-ment has not succeded in poverty alleviation in India. Comment.
‘Information technology plays a very significant role in achieving sustainable development and food security’ - comment.
Meena is a housewife. Besides taking care of household chores, she works in the cloth shop which is owned and operated by her husband. Can she be considered as a worker? Why?
Why was it necessary for a developing country like India to follow self-reliance as a planning objective?
Give two instances of
(a) Overuse of environmental resources
(b) Misuse of environmental resources.
Distinguish between ‘Green Revolution’ and ‘Golden Revolution’.
Why did India opt for planning?
Explain how the opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are high.
What are the various means by which countries are trying to strengthen their own domestic economies?