UPSC Prelims 2006 Q22: Indian Economy – Agriculture & Rural Development
Consider the following statements in respect of welfare schemes launched by the Ministry
of Rural Development, Government of India:
1. Drinking water for rural areas is one of the components of the Bharat Nirman Plan.
2. In the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 there is a provision that the statutory
minimum wage applicable to agriculture workers in the State has to be paid to the workers under
the Act.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation
Rural Development schemes: Bharat Nirman and NREGA
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Drinking water is a component of Bharat Nirman | True | Bharat Nirman (2005) covered irrigation, roads, housing, drinking water, electrification and telephony |
| 2. NREGA provides for statutory agricultural minimum wage | True | Until the Centre notifies a wage rate, the State's minimum wage for agricultural labourers applies under the Act |
Both statements are correct.
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also true, so '1 only' is incomplete.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 is also true, since drinking water is a Bharat Nirman component.
- (c) CORRECT. Bharat Nirman includes rural drinking water and NREGA ties wages to the State agricultural minimum wage.
- (d) Incorrect. Both statements are true, so it is not 'neither'.
Key point
Bharat Nirman includes rural drinking water, and NREGA payment is tied to the State's statutory agricultural minimum wage.
Remember
Bharat Nirman covers rural drinking water; NREGA uses the agricultural minimum wage.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that drinking water is among Bharat Nirman's six components.
- Assuming NREGA wages are unrelated to minimum wage law.
- Confusing Bharat Nirman with other rural schemes.
Exam tip
Bharat Nirman's six: irrigation, rural roads, housing, drinking water, electrification, telephony.
Sources
- Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India — Bharat Nirman (rural drinking water programme)
- National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, Section 6 (wage rate)