UPSC Prelims 2002 Q96: Indian Economy – Human Development, Poverty & Employment Schemes
Which reference to the government’s welfare schemes, consider the following statements:
1. Under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, the food grains are available to the poorest of the poor
families at Rs 2 per kg for wheat and Rs 3 per kg for rice.
2. Under the National Old Age Pension Scheme, the old and destitute are provided Rs 75 per
month as Central pension, in addition to the amount provided by most State Governments.
3. Government of India has allocated 25 kg food grains per Below Poverty Line family per month,
at less than half the economic cost.
Which of these statements are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 1 and 3
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2
Explanation
Welfare schemes: Antyodaya, old-age pension and BPL grain
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| 1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana: wheat at Rs 2 and rice at Rs 3 per kg | True (2000-01) |
| 2. National Old Age Pension Scheme: Rs 75 per month Central pension | True |
| 3. 25 kg food grains per BPL family per month at less than half the economic cost | False — the BPL scale was raised to 35 kg, at about half the economic cost |
| Combination | Statements 1 and 2 |
Under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana the poorest families get wheat at Rs 2 and rice at Rs 3 a kg, and the National Old Age Pension Scheme provides Rs 75 a month as Central assistance. The BPL entitlement by then was 35 kg, so statement 3 does not hold.
Answer: (a) 1 and 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Statements 1 and 2 are true.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 3 on the 25 kg allocation does not hold.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3 on the 25 kg allocation does not hold.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3 on the 25 kg allocation does not hold.
Key point
AAY: December 2000, 25 kg then 35 kg per family; NOAPS: Rs 75 a month from 1995 under NSAP.
Remember
AAY: wheat Rs 2, rice Rs 3 per kg.
Common mistakes
- Accepting 25 kg per BPL family without checking later scales.
- Forgetting the Rs 75 pension in the old-age scheme.
- Mixing the Antyodaya prices with the BPL prices of grain.
Exam tip
Statement 3 has a specific quantity that was revised, so it is the weak one.
Sources
- Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution — AAY
- National Social Assistance Programme guidelines