Critically evaluate the role of the rural banking system in the process of rural development in India.
With the nationalisation of the commercial banks after 1969, the concept of social banking came into existence. It implies extending institutional credit at moderate rate of interest. The National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD) has made a significant progress in the field of rural credit. It cannot be denied that the institutional credit has freed the farmers from the trap of money lenders and mahajans. But, on the other hand, institutional credit is not free from deficiencies. The rural or institutional credit has invariably been associated with security or collateral. Consequently, a substantial number of farmers cannot avail credit. Also, the commercial banks failed to encourage the habit of thrift among farmers. In addition to this, the leniency on the part of the government to collect taxes was another setback in the rural banking. This further led to the emergence of the feeling among the farmers of not repaying the borrowed amount. This increased the defaulter's rate and led to financial unfeasibility for the rural banks.
Explain the steps taken by the government in developing rural markets.
Distinguish between ‘Green Revolution’ and ‘Golden Revolution’.
Why is agricultural diversification essential for sustainable livelihoods?
Discuss the importance of credit in rural development.
Bring out the importance of animal husbandry, fisheries and horticulture as a source of diversification.
Explain the role of micro-credit in meeting credit requirements of the poor.
What is organic farming and how does it promote sustainable development?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Identify the benefits and limitations of organic farming.
Explain the role of non-farm employment in promoting rural diversification.
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?
Define a plan?
Who is a worker?
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?
Suppose you are a resident of a village, suggest a few measures to tackle the problem of poverty.
How can creation of income earning assets address the problem of poverty?
Explain the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources.
What was the two-fold motive behind the systematic de-industrialisation affected by the British in pre-independent India?
Do you think the navaratna policy of the government helps in improving the performance of public sector undertakings in India? How?
What is marketable surplus?
‘There is a downward trend in inequality world-wide with a rise in the average education levels’. Comment.
Distinguish between the following
(i) Strategic and Minority sale
(ii) Bilateral and Multi-lateral trade
(iii) Tariff and Non-tariff barriers.
What is the state of rural infrastructure in India?
What is meant by ‘Food for Work’ programme?