Grade-8, SST, The Economic Presence of the Government

 

 EXERCISES

 

1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

 

(a) The Planning Commission prepared Five Year Plans for the country.

 (b) Infrastructure refers to basic facilities to be provided for the functioning of a community.

 (c) The government has to work for economic and social development.

 (d) The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched to achieve universal sanitation.

 (e) Universalizing elementary education is the goal of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

  

2. Choose the correct answer.

 

(a) The first Chairman of the Planning Commission was

 (i) Rajendra Prasad.

(ii) Manmohan Singh.

(iii) Jawaharlal Nehru.

(iv) V. V. Giri.

Answer- (iii) Jawaharlal Nehru.

 

(b) The number of major ports in India is

(i) 11.

(ii) 13.

(iii) 15.

(iv) 18.

Answer- (ii) 13.

 

(c) The Bharat Nirman Programme aims at improving

(i) urban infrastructure.

(ii) rural infrastructure.

(iii) public-private partnerships.

(iv) manufacturing industries.

Answer- (ii) rural infrastructure.

 

(d) The National Drinking Water Programme aims to give people access to

(i) education.

(ii) employment.

(iii) clean drinking water.

(iv) sanitation.

Answer- (iii) clean drinking water.

 

(e) The Mahila Samakhya programme aims to improve the status of women through

 (i) education.

(ii) banking.

(iii) infrastructure.

(iv) medical facilities.

Answer- (i) education.

 

3. Write true or false. Correct the false sentences in your notebook.

 

(a) The government must improve infrastructure to achieve economic growth. 

True

 (b) The Golden Quadrilateral connects Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

True

 (c) Ports are not a part of our infrastructure.

False. Ports are an important part of our infrastructure.

 (d) The National Rural Health Mission was created in 2005.

True

 (e) The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is related to rural health.

False. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is related to education.

 

4. Match the rows.

(a) Golden Quadrilateral (b) tele- communications (c) panchayats (d) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (e) Mahila Samakhya programme

(i) New Education Policy (ii) Bharat Nirman (iii) national highways (iv) independent regulator (v) Education for All

 

Answer-

(a) Golden Quadrilateral - (iii) national highways

(b) tele- communications - (iv) independent regulator

(c) panchayats - (ii) Bharat Nirman

(d) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan - (v) Education for All

(e) Mahila Samakhya programme - (i) New Education Policy

  

5. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.

 

(a) What do you understand by the term 'infrastructure'?

Answer- Infrastructure refers to the basic facilities and systems that support economic activity, such as transportation, communication, energy, water supply, and sanitation.

 

(b) Why is infrastructure important for economic growth?

Answer- Infrastructure is crucial for economic growth as it:

1.      Reduces transportation costs

2.     Improves efficiency

3.     Facilitates trade and commerce

4.    Attracts investment

 

(c) Why is the modernization of airports important?

Answer- Modernization of airports is important to:

1.      Handle increased air traffic

2.     Improve passenger experience

3.     Facilitate international trade

 

(d) What is the goal of the National Rural Health Mission?

Answer- The goal of the National Rural Health Mission is to improve the availability and access to quality healthcare, especially for rural populations.

 

(e) When was the Mahila Samakhya programme launched?

Answer- The Mahila Samakhya programme was launched in 1988.

 

6. Answer the following questions in four or five sentences.

 

(a) What do you know about NITI Aayog?

Answer- NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is a policy think tank of the Government of India, established in 2015. It replaced the Planning Commission.

¹ Its main objectives are to foster cooperative federalism, to remove bottlenecks, to accelerate economic growth, to promote social development and to ensure that this growth is inclusive.

 

(b) Discuss the main objectives of the Bharat Nirman programme. 

Answer- The main objectives of the Bharat Nirman programme are:

1.      Construction of all-weather roads to rural habitations.

2.     Providing safe drinking water to every habitation.

3.     Connecting every village by telephone.

4.    Creating additional irrigation capacity.

5.     Constructing houses for the rural poor.

 

(c) What is the National Rural Drinking Water Programme?

Answer- The National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at providing safe drinking water to every person in rural India on a sustainable basis. It focuses on creating infrastructure to ensure easy access to clean water.

 

(d) Write a note on the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

Answer- The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is a government program aimed at universalizing elementary education in India. It focuses on:

1.      Enrolling all children in schools.

2.     Reducing dropout rates.

3.     Improving the quality of education.

4.    Bridging gender and social gaps in education.

 

(e) What is the role of the government in development?

Answer- The government plays a crucial role in economic development by:

1.      Creating a conducive environment for business and industry.
2.     Providing public goods and services like infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
3.     Regulating markets to ensure fair competition and consumer protection.
4.    Redistributing wealth and income through social welfare programs.
5.     Promoting economic growth and development through policies and initiatives.

  

Analytical Skills

 Read the lines and answer the questions that follow.

 The key sector for foreign investment in India is infrastructure development. The Japanese Ambassador stated that infrastructure is a very important area for attracting investments. Industries require infrastructure, so do other economic activities.

 

(i) Why do you think foreign investors would like to see better infrastructure development in India?

Answer- Foreign investors would like to see better infrastructure development in India because it would facilitate smooth business operations, reduce logistics costs, and improve overall efficiency.

 

(ii) How will better infrastructure help India to attract foreign investment?

Answer- Better infrastructure will attract foreign investment by:

1.      Reducing operational costs: Improved roads, ports, and railways will reduce transportation costs for businesses.

2.     Improving efficiency: Reliable power supply and efficient telecommunications will enhance productivity.

3.     Facilitating ease of doing business: A well-developed infrastructure will make it easier for businesses to set up and operate in India.

4.    Enhancing market access: Better infrastructure will help connect businesses to domestic and international markets.

 

Values and Life Skills

 

The Swachh Bharat Mission and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan have helped the country in many ways.

 

Think of other missions, similar to the ones mentioned above that can help the country in the future.

Answer- India could benefit from similar missions focused on:

1.      Clean Energy: Promoting renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

2.     Digital India: Expanding digital infrastructure and promoting digital literacy to bridge the digital divide.

3.     Affordable Housing: Providing affordable housing solutions for the urban poor.

4.    Skill Development: Investing in skill development programs to create a skilled workforce.

5.     Healthcare: Improving access to quality healthcare, especially in rural areas.

 

 

Understanding Skills

 

What are some of the areas our country needs to further develop in? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer- India needs further development in several areas, including:

1.      Education: To improve the quality of education and skill development to meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce.

2.     Healthcare: To provide affordable and accessible healthcare for all, especially in rural areas.

3.     Infrastructure: To build robust infrastructure, such as roads, railways, and ports, to facilitate economic growth and development.

4.    Environmental Protection: To address climate change and environmental degradation through sustainable practices.

5.     Social Justice: To reduce social inequalities and ensure equal opportunities for all.

These areas are crucial for India's sustainable development and to improve the quality of life for its citizens.

Thinking Hat

HOTS-Analytical Skills

 

Why is it the duty of the government and not of private corporations to improve infrastructure in the country? How does the government raise funds for this work?

Answer- The government is responsible for improving infrastructure because it benefits the entire society, not just private corporations. Infrastructure like roads, railways, and ports are essential for economic growth, social development, and national security. Private corporations may not have the resources or the incentive to invest in such large-scale projects that benefit the public good.

The government raises funds for infrastructure projects through various means, including:

1. Taxes: Taxes on income, goods, and services generate revenue for the government.
2. Borrowing: The government can borrow money from domestic and international sources.
3. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): The government can partner with private companies to share the costs and risks of infrastructure projects.
4. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Attracting foreign investment can provide additional funds for infrastructure development.