CHAPTER 4: Food Security in India (Date : 13-07-2018)

Question 1:

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Buffer Stock is the stock of foodgrains, namely wheat and rice procured by the government through Food Corporation of India (FCI).
  2. Under the 'Minimum Support Price', the farmers are paid a pre-announced price for their crops.

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Both the above statements are correct.

The MSP is declared by the government every year before the sowing season to provide incentives to farmers for raising the production of these crops.

Question 2:

What do you mean by Issue Price: 

  1. Distribution of food grains to the poor sections of the society at a lower price than the market price.

  2. Distribution of grain on the market price to the poor sections of the society.

  3. Distribution of grain to all the people of the society at a price lower than the market price.

  4. Distribute grain to rich people of the society at a lower price than market price.

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

The government procures grains, wheat and rice through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), which is also called buffer stock. The purchased food grains are stored in granaries. This is done to distribute foodgrains in the deficit areas and among the poorer strata of society at a price lower than the market price also known as Issue Price. This also helps resolve the problem of shortage of food during adverse weather conditions or during the periods of calamity.

Question 3:

In the context of ration cards, which of the following pairs is /are correctly matched?

  1. Antyodaya cards    —   for the poorest of the poor
  2. BPL cards              —   below poverty line
  3. APL cards              —   for all others

Code:

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. 1 and 3

  4. All of the above

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

There are three kinds of ration cards: (a) Antyodaya cards for the poorest of the poor; (b) BPL cards for those below poverty line; and
(c) APL cards for all others.

Question 4:

What are the correct combinations in terms of the different schemes and their targeted groups introduced in the context of food security by the Government of India?

Schemes Targeted Group
1. Public Distribution System (PDS) For everyone
2. Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Poor in all areas
3. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Poorest of the poor

4. Annapurna scheme (APS)

 Backward block


Code:

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 1, 2 and 3

  4. All of the above

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

The statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.

Public Distribution System (PDS) is the most important step taken by the Government of India (GoI) towards ensuring food security. In the beginning the coverage of PDS was universal with no discrimination between the poor and non-poor. Over the years, the policy related to PDS has been revised to make it more efficient and targeted.

In 1992, Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) was introduced in 1,700 blocks in the country. The target was to provide the benefits of PDS to remote and backward areas.

From June 1997, in a renewed attempt, Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was introduced to adopt the principle of targeting the ‘poor in all areas’. It was for the first time that a differential price policy was adopted for poor and non-poor.

Further, in 2000, two special schemes were launched viz., Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and the Annapurna Scheme (APS) with special target groups of ‘poorest of the poor’ and ‘indigent senior citizens’, respectively.