Previous Year Question
Which of the following can be said to be essentially the parts of inclusive governance?
Permitting the non-banking financial companies to do banking.
Establishing effective District Planning Committees in all the districts.
Increasing the government spending on public health.
Strengthening the Mid-day Meal Scheme.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
1 and 2
3 and 4
2, 3 and 4
1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Inclusive governance seeks to ensure the participation of all sections of society, particularly poor, disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, in governance and development, while expanding their equitable access to public services.
Statement 1 is not correct. Permitting non-banking financial companies to undertake banking is principally a matter of financial regulation. An institution does not become a bank merely because it is an NBFC. To undertake banking business, it must obtain a banking licence under the legal and regulatory conditions prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India. Permitting NBFCs to undertake banking is, therefore, not by itself an essential component of inclusive governance.
Statement 2 is correct. Article 243ZD provides for the constitution of a District Planning Committee at the district level in every State. It consolidates the plans prepared by Panchayats and Municipalities and prepares a draft development plan for the district as a whole. An effective District Planning Committee incorporates local needs, rural-urban coordination and grassroots participation into district planning; it is therefore an important component of inclusive governance.
Statement 3 is correct. Increased public expenditure on health improves the availability and affordability of healthcare for poor and vulnerable groups. It can reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure and the risk of families falling into poverty because of illness. Article 47 regards the improvement of public health as a primary duty of the State.
Statement 4 is correct. The Mid-day Meal Scheme improves children’s nutrition while encouraging school enrolment, attendance and retention. It particularly benefits children from poor families, girls and socially disadvantaged communities. Eating together in schools can also promote social equality. The Scheme is now implemented as Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN).