Do you think the navaratna policy of the government helps in improving the performance of public sector undertakings in India? How?
To improve efficiency, infuse professionalism and to enable PSUs to compete effectively in the market, government awarded the status of 'navaratnas' to the following nine PSUs:
1) Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL)
2) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL)
3) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL)
4) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC)
5) Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL)
6) Indian Petro-chemicals Corporation Ltd (IPCL)
7) Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL)
8) National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
9) Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL)
These corporations were granted a greater degree of financial, managerial and operational autonomy. This boosted their efficiency and effectiveness. They also became highly competitive and some of them are becoming the giant global players. Consequent to their better performance, the government retained them under the public sector and enabled them to grow themselves not only in the domestic market but also in the international market. These corporations are self-reliant and financially self-sufficient. Thus, the navaratna policy has certainly improved the performance of these PSUs.
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?
Those public sector undertakings which are making profits should be privatised. Do you agree with this view? Why?
Do you think outsourcing is good for India? Why are developed countries opposing it?
Why did RBI have to change its role from controller to facilitator of financial sector in India?
What do you understand by devaluation of rupee?
Why are tariffs imposed?
Why has the industrial sector performed poorly in the reform period?
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?
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.
Illustrate the difference between rural and urban poverty. Is it correct to say that poverty has shifted from rural to urban areas? Use the trends in poverty ratio to support your answer.
Do you think that in the last 50 years, employment generated in the country is commensurate with the growth of GDP in India? How?
What are the functions of the environment?
Indicate the volume and direction of trade at the time of independence.
State any four pressing environmental concerns of India. Correction for environmental damages involves opportunity costs — explain.
Why was the public sector given a leading role in industrial development during the planning period?
Suppose you are a resident of a village, suggest a few measures to tackle the problem of poverty.
What problems are being faced by the power sector in India?
Describe the path of developmental initiatives taken by Pakistan for its economic development.