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Q.6 “The basic purpose of development is to enlarge people’s choices.” Elucidate in the light of the government policies and intervention for development in India.
- 19,Dec 2024
- Posted By : SPM IAS Academy
- 0 Comments
- APSC2022
- GS2
The statement, “The basic purpose of development is to enlarge people’s choices,” aligns with India’s approach to human-centered development, emphasizing government policies aimed at expanding opportunities across education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and digital access. Recent initiatives reflect this commitment, including targeted programs in Assam, which showcase the effort to foster inclusive growth.
Key Government Policies and Interventions for Expanding Choices in India
1. Education and Skill Development:
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: This policy aims to transform education by promoting universal access, flexible learning pathways, and vocational training. It includes regional language instruction and digital education, ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds, including in rural Assam, have enhanced learning choices.
- PM-DAKSH Yojana: This scheme provides training in areas such as entrepreneurship, agriculture, and handicrafts for marginalized communities. Recently implemented in Assam, it has equipped local youth with skills to pursue non-traditional careers, expanding their livelihood options.
2. Healthcare Access and Well-being:
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): ABDM is creating a digital health ecosystem, integrating health records accessible via digital means, making healthcare access easier and more efficient. States like Assam are adopting ABDM to streamline healthcare access, especially for remote populations, allowing individuals greater autonomy over their health management.
- Mission Poshan 2.0: With an integrated focus on addressing malnutrition, this initiative combines nutrition support with maternal and child health services. In Assam, the government’s Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi initiative supports early childhood nutrition and education, empowering families with healthier, more productive lives.
3. Economic Empowerment and Financial Inclusion:
- PM Vishwakarma Scheme: Launched in 2023, this scheme aims to support traditional artisans and craftsmen by offering credit, skill training, and access to markets. In Assam, handloom and handicraft workers are benefiting from this scheme, expanding their income-generating choices and preserving cultural crafts.
- PM-KISAN and Kisan Credit Card (KCC): The PM-KISAN scheme provides income support to farmers, while KCC enables farmers to access credit for their agricultural needs. In Assam, KCC has seen significant uptake, allowing farmers to diversify their investments, reduce dependency on informal loans, and adopt modern agricultural practices.
4. Social Welfare and Livelihood Security:
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): MGNREGA guarantees wage employment in rural areas, supporting livelihood security and enabling people to invest in health, education, and self-employment. Assam has linked MGNREGA with water conservation projects, thus enabling income and environmental sustainability.
- PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan for Infrastructure: This initiative aims to develop multi-modal infrastructure that boosts regional connectivity and economic activity. In Assam, the initiative includes projects that improve connectivity between rural areas and markets, expanding economic choices for remote communities.
5. Digital Inclusion and Access to Information:
- Digital India and BharatNet: Through the BharatNet project, high-speed internet connectivity is expanding to rural India, including Assam. This digital access enables communities to access online education, health services, and government schemes, bridging the urban-rural divide in information access and service delivery.
- Assam’s Orunodoi Scheme: This state-specific initiative provides direct financial aid to economically vulnerable women, empowering them with financial autonomy to make choices in education, health, and livelihoods for their families.
6. Environmental Sustainability and Livelihoods:
National Green Hydrogen Mission: This mission aims to promote green hydrogen production for energy transition, creating jobs in sustainable energy sectors. Assam’s participation in renewable energy projects, such as solar and biomass, opens new employment opportunities while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Conclusion
India’s recent policies aim to enhance citizens’ choices and quality of life across education, health, economic, and environmental dimensions. Targeted programs in Assam, such as the Orunodoi Scheme and Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi, exemplify efforts to empower vulnerable communities. Through these initiatives, India is advancing toward inclusive development, supporting individuals in exercising autonomy over their lives and opportunities, a true reflection of development as “enlarging people’s choices.”
