Financing Welfare and Gender Equality

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Questions and Answers

What was the total expenditure allocated for MNREGA between 2019-25 BE?

Rs 97,000 crore

Rs 8.56 crore

Rs 5.66 lakh crore

Rs 3.27 lakh crore (correct)

What percentage of sanctioned feasible habitations were connected under PMGSY?

99% (correct)

88%

100%

94%

What is the value of projects completed and work in progress under PMGSY?

Rs 4.62 crore

Rs 5.66 lakh crore

Rs 97000 crore

Rs 3.71 lakh crore (correct)

What is the primary aim of the UNNATI scheme associated with MNREGA?

To improve the skills of MGNREGA workers Signup and view all the answers

How many active workers were recorded under MNREGA in 2024-25?

13.19 crore Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of the scheme regarding the girl child?

To celebrate the girl child and enable her education Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major target of the scheme?

Eliminate gender discrimination in all sectors Signup and view all the answers

Who leads the coordinated efforts for the implementation of the scheme at the district level?

District Collectors/Deputy Commissioners Signup and view all the answers

What approach was adopted for the nationwide campaign promoting the girl child's rights?

A 360° media approach Signup and view all the answers

Which ministry is NOT one of the three involved in multi-sectoral interventions for the girl child?

Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component concerning the nutrition status of girls in the scheme?

Reducing the number of underweight and anemic girls under 5 years of age Signup and view all the answers

What percentage increase per year is aimed for Institutional Deliveries as part of the scheme's goals?

1.5% Signup and view all the answers

What initiative is taken to ensure the survival and education of the girl child?

Training of stakeholders and involvement of gender champions Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary objective of schemes like the Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana?

To empower girl students and reduce dropouts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following schemes focuses on changing societal attitudes towards girl children?

Bhagyalaxmi Scheme Signup and view all the answers

Which type of schemes primarily provide financial assistance for the marriage of girl children?

Marriage assistance schemes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the financial assistance often provided under girl child schemes?

It is often too meager to be of real help Signup and view all the answers

What do most state schemes for girl children have in common with central schemes?

They have overlapping objectives Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a common objective among various girl child schemes?

Improving the economic status of families Signup and view all the answers

What is a common strategy employed by girl child schemes to assist families?

Offering fixed deposit plans maturing when the girl is 18 Signup and view all the answers

Which scheme specifically focuses on educational scholarships for unmarried girls?

Ladli Laxmi Yojana Signup and view all the answers

What is the main objective of the BADLAV campaign?

To emphasize gender equality in society Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components receives the highest percentage of funds under the BBBP scheme?

Innovation and awareness generation activities Signup and view all the answers

What significant data was released by the Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women regarding the BBBP scheme?

The majority of funds were spent on media advocacy Signup and view all the answers

What initiative is part of the Ministry of Education's efforts to improve girls' education?

Universal enrolment of girls Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Monitoring Committees established under the PCP&DT Act?

To monitor the implementation of health interventions Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative?

To reduce child sex ratio in targeted districts. Signup and view all the answers

What is earmarked for sectoral interventions in health under the BBBP scheme?

10% Signup and view all the answers

Which social campaign is associated with creating awareness for the value of the girl child?

Selfie with Daughter Signup and view all the answers

According to Article 15 of the Constitution, which of the following statements is correct?

It ensures the State shall not discriminate on various grounds. Signup and view all the answers

What has been the trend in India's child sex ratio from 1961 to 2011?

Decline with the lowest value being 918 in 2011. Signup and view all the answers

Which Act regulates the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal diagnostic techniques?

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental duty does Article 51A (e) impose on citizens?

To renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women. Signup and view all the answers

What does the decline in female labor force participation from 34% to 27% between 2004-05 to 2011-12 highlight?

A significant challenge to achieving gender equality in the workforce. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects India's rank in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, 2021?

140th, indicating a decline in gender equality. Signup and view all the answers

What influence does 'nudge' rely on in the context of promoting social behavior?

The desire to conform to social norms. Signup and view all the answers

Which article of the Constitution emphasizes equality of opportunity in public employment?

Article 16 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the schemes mentioned in the content?

To change societal attitudes towards girls and reduce drop-out rates Signup and view all the answers

Which scheme is associated with the state of Bihar?

Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthaan Yojana Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do many states face regarding public funds for these schemes?

Sub-optimal utilization of public funds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following schemes aims to improve the sex ratio and prevent female foeticide?

Girl Child Protection Scheme Signup and view all the answers

What is a common shortcoming of the schemes mentioned?

They lack integration with central schemes Signup and view all the answers

Which scheme is related to the state of Uttar Pradesh?

Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Scheme Signup and view all the answers

What amount is typically allocated for most of these schemes in poorer states?

Approximately Rs 100 crore or below Signup and view all the answers

Which scheme encourages family planning after the birth of two girl children?

Ladli Beti Scheme Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Session 4: Financing Welfare

The session covered the need for convergence.
Case studies were discussed.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

This program aims to celebrate and educate girls.
It prevents gender-biased acts like sex-selective elimination.
It ensures the survival and protection of the girl child.
It aims to ensure the education of the girl child.
The program was started on January 22, 2015.
The goal is implemented in 100 gender-critical districts.
Focus on coordinated and convergent efforts for survival, protection, and education of the girl child across India.

Constitutional Provisions: Women and Children

Art 15: The state cannot discriminate based on religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, etc.
The state can make special provisions for women and children.
Art 16: Equal opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment.
No citizen should be ineligible or discriminated against in employment based on religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence.
Article 39: Equal right to livelihood, equal pay for equal work, freedom from abuse to children, freedom and dignity for everyone.
It provides to secure just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
Article 51A (e): Duty to renounce practices derogatory to women's dignity.
This section provides a summary of various articles related to equality and rights of women and children within the constitution of India.

Level of Influence: Nudge, Incentivize, Mandate

Nudge uses social norms, creating social trust.
Case studies of societal influence include Aadhaar, Jan Dhan Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Swacchh Bharat, and taxes on Tobacco, Prohibition.
This section analyses various approaches for influencing behavior based on social norms.

Triggers for BBBP

India's declining child sex ratio.
Decline in female workforce participation.
India's rank in the Global Gender Gap Report decreased, indicating a worsening status of women..

Objectives of BBBP

Celebrate girls and enable education.
Prevent gender-biased acts.
Ensure survival and protection of the girl child.
Ensure education of the girl child.
Improve SRB (Sex Ratio at Birth) in selected gender critical districts.
Increase enrolment of girls in secondary education.

Components of BBBP

Mass Communication (advocacy and media campaigns).
Multi-sectoral interventions in 100 Gender Critical Districts, covering all states/UTs.
Coordination with MoHFW & MoHRD for survival, protection, and education of the girl child.
The District Collectors/Deputy Commissioners (DCs) lead and coordinate actions of all departments for implementation of BBBP.

Ministries Involved: Multi-sectoral Interventions

Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD)
Promotes registration of pregnancies in early stages.
Undertakes training for stakeholders.
Engages in community mobilization and sensitization.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Monitors implementation of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCP&DT) Act.
Increases institutional deliveries.
Strengthening PNDT Cells.
Ministry of Education
Aims to ensure universal enrollment of girls.
Reduces girl child drop-out rates.

Implementation of BBBP

Pan-India expansion in 640 districts, launched in March 2018.
Social media (YouTube), communication campaigns, for equal value recognition for girls.
Campaign called "Badlav" drawing on scriptures, cultures, and societal norms about gender equality, emphasizing change toward gender equality. Explicitly stating the new norm (gender equality) and focusing on those who adopt it.
Continuously reinforcing the new norm of gender equality

SAMARTHYA and SAMBAL

BBBP scheme implemented with 100% central assistance.
50 lakh rupees earmarked per district.
Allocations for inter-sectoral consultation, innovation/awareness, health, education, monitoring, and evaluation.

Financial Performance

Data on actual expenditure, funds utilized by the state/UTs for media advocacy etc. from 2014-15 to 2020-21.

Outcome: GER and CSR

Gross Enrolment Ratio and the Drop Out rates.
Child Sex Ratio at Birth (CSR).
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).
Neonatal Mortality Rate (NNMR).
Specific case study example in Tamil Nadu and improvement observed, and other possible factors.

CSR by States

Data on child sex ratio by state from 2015-16 and 2020-21.

Issue of Convergence

Focus on state level issues in terms of the efficiency of the expenditure of the funds.

Efficiency of Public Expenditure

Underscores the lack of synergy between state and central schemes.
Suggests potential overlap and suboptimal use of funds due to identical objectives.
Identification of similar schemes in various states with identical objectives as the BBBP.

Lack of Synergy

Indicates overlaps in objectives between various schemes for women, which may overlap those of other central schemes, like other BPL or SC/ST centric schemes.
Many state schemes include objectives to do with assisting in marriage expenses.
Other schemes promote empowerment through education.
Additional schemes improve health and other parameters.

Sub-optimal Utilization of Public Funds

Many states have limited resources for effective implementation.
Variation in capacity across states hinders uniform impact.
Typical budget often under Rs. 100 crore for poor states.
Lack of visibility and awareness limits beneficiary participation.
Need for better synergy between central and state schemes for improved efficiency of funds usage.

Lack of Systematic Evaluation

Evaluation is often ad hoc and conducted without a definite procedure.
Evaluation results are frequently not publicly released.
Ministry use these evaluations to continue schemes and fulfill political requirements of incumbent governments.

Suggestions

Implement Central schemes (CSS) with common objectives across states.
Enhance resource allocation and coordination among states to enhance efficiency.
Ensure transparent evaluation for identifying necessary changes.
Establish a statutory council to review existing schemes.

MNREGA

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
Ensures 100 days of wage employment per financial year for rural households.
Focuses on livelihood security and aims to create sustainable assets in rural areas.
Employment provided within a 5km radius of applicants' residency.
Minimum wages ensured, and unemployment allowance is payable if jobs not provided on time.
Objective to enhance rural livelihoods, creating rural assets like roads, canals, protecting the environment,.
The program has some challenges: average days of employment per household declining over time.

MNREGA - 2006-2016

Shows the negative aspects and limitations and weaknesses of the program.
Funds allocated to 200 districts initially, and finally expanding to cover the entire region of India.
Creation of limited durable assets, labour-intensive, less skill-based.
Focus on overall poverty reduction is limited, despite funds allocated.
Issue is highly sensitive, with strong sentiments on both sides, often reducing open discussions and objectivity.

Positive Impact of MNREGA

Increase in household income and per capita expenditure. Especially positive impacts on agricultural labour wages.
Increased income/consumption for women and adivasis.

The Other Side of MNREGA

Sub-optimal performance of the scheme.
Scheme is becoming supply-driven and top-down.
Average number of employment days per household per year declining.
Impact on rural poverty is only modest.
Concerns about effectively addressing poverty while lacking adequate capacity development.

What the CAG Reports Say

Issues identified in MNREGA's planning and implementation: poor record maintenance, non-transparent recording of demand employment, lack of reliability in data etc.
The benefits are mitigated by a decreasing employment provided per household, despite an increase in average wage and cost.
Funds allocated are still locked in works-in-progress, which suggests poor project completion and hence poor asset creation.

No Relations with Poverty

Limited correlation between poverty levels and MNREGA implementation.
Many states where poverty is high didn't utilize the maximum funds.
Funds used by few rich states, who were able to make appropriate usage of the scheme.
Poverty advocates have claimed the scheme sustains and justifies the scheme.

MNREGA: Actually a Dole Distribution System

Lack of correlation between MNREGA and poverty levels is noted.
Poverty addressed through subsistence.
The scheme, rather than empowerment, creates a sub-optimal situation.
No genuine means for skill building, employment, and economic growth.

PMGSY

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
Aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations with more than 500 people.
All-weather road building.
Aims to avoid overlap between government schemes.
Data presented for PMGSY and MNREGA for the period 2019-25.

PMGSY VS MNREGA: 2024

Comparison of program achievements data for the year 2024.

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Description

This quiz explores the crucial topics of financing welfare initiatives, particularly focusing on the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao program aimed at promoting and protecting the girl child in India. Additionally, it covers constitutional provisions that ensure equality for women and children. Test your knowledge on the roles, rights, and responsibilities addressed in these important areas.