Class 9 Social Science (Economics) Chapter 3 Poverty As a Challenge

Key Concept: Vulnerability to Poverty

b) Scheduled Tribes

[Solution Description]

According to the syllabus, the percentage of poor people is highest among Scheduled Tribes, with 43 out of 100 people belonging to this group not able to meet their basic needs. This is higher than the percentages for Scheduled Castes (29\% ), rural agricultural labour households (34\%), and urban casual labour households (34\%). Therefore, the Scheduled Tribes have the highest percentage of people below the poverty line.

Key Concept: Social Impact of Poverty

b) They often suffer from illnesses

[Solution Description]

In poor families, old people often suffer from illnesses and lack access to proper healthcare, as seen in the case of Lakha Singh’s mother who suffers from TB.

Key Concept: Poverty as a Challenge, Social Indicators

d) Lack of access to healthcare and safe drinking water

[Solution Description] The family’s inability to afford healthcare and lack of access to safe drinking water are key indicators of poverty. These dimensions highlight the multifaceted nature of poverty beyond just income levels.

Key Concept: Education

b) He had to start earning at a young age

[Solution Description]

Lakha Singh had to start earning when he was 10 years old, which prevented him from attending the village primary school.

Key Concept: Rural Employment Generation Programme

d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

[Solution Description]

The assertion states that the Rural Employment Generation Programme was launched to create self-employment opportunities in urban areas. However, according to the syllabus, the programme was aimed at rural areas and small towns. Therefore, the assertion is false. The reason states that the programme aimed at creating 25 lakh new jobs under the Tenth Five Year Plan, which is true as per the syllabus. Thus, the assertion is false but the reason is true.

Key Concept: Importance of Education and Healthcare

c) Kerala

[Solution Description]

Kerala has focused more on human resource development to reduce poverty, as mentioned in the syllabus.

Key Concept: Low Economic Growth, Colonial Policies

d) Traditional handicrafts were destroyed, and industrialization was discouraged

[Solution Description]

The British colonial administration implemented policies that focused on extracting resources for Britain rather than developing local industries. They discouraged the development of industries like textiles and ruined traditional handicrafts. This led to a lack of industrial growth and job opportunities, resulting in low economic growth.

Key Concept: Percentage Decline in Poverty

c) 17.33%

[Solution Description]

To calculate the percentage decline in poverty, we subtract the final poverty ratio from the initial poverty ratio and then divide by the initial poverty ratio, multiplying by 100.

Initial poverty ratio = 45%

Final poverty ratio = 37.2%

Percentage decline = $\frac{(45 – 37.2)}{45} \times 100$

Percentage decline = $\frac{7.8}{45} \times 100$

Percentage decline = 17.33%

Key Concept: Concept: Moving Target in Poverty Eradication

c) As development broadens the goals beyond income

[Solution Description]

As societies develop, the definition of poverty evolves. Providing a minimum income may not be sufficient; challenges like health care, education, job security, gender equality, and dignity become more significant. Thus, the goalpost for poverty eradication keeps shifting.

Key Concept: Global Poverty Reduction

b) 2030

[Solution Description]

The United Nations aims to end extreme poverty globally by the year 2030. This is a key component of the Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to address various global challenges, including poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Key Concept: Poverty Line, Vulnerability

c) It highlights groups more likely to remain poor due to lack of resources

[Solution Description] The poverty line is a measure based on income or consumption levels below which a person is considered poor. It helps identify groups that are vulnerable to poverty, such as those with lower income or consumption levels, who are at greater risk of remaining poor due to lack of access to resources, education, and job opportunities. This measure highlights groups that may need targeted interventions to reduce poverty.

Key Concept: Vulnerability

b) The probability of becoming or remaining poor in the future

[Solution Description]

Vulnerability to poverty measures the likelihood of certain individuals or communities becoming or remaining poor in the future. It is determined by factors such as lack of assets, education, health, job opportunities, and the ability to handle risks like natural disasters or economic downturns. It highlights the increased susceptibility of certain groups to adverse conditions.

Key Concept: Vulnerability to Poverty

c) Lack of access to education

[Solution Description]

Vulnerability to poverty increases when individuals lack resources like assets, education, health, and job opportunities. During natural disasters, those with fewer resources are more likely to be adversely affected. Social and economic ability to handle risks also plays a crucial role in determining vulnerability.

Key Concept: Targeted Anti-Poverty Programmes

c) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

[Solution Description]

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, aims to provide 100 days of wage employment to every household in rural areas to ensure livelihood security. It also focuses on sustainable development by addressing issues like drought, deforestation, and soil erosion. One-third of the jobs are reserved for women.

Key Concept: Poverty Rate Comparison, Economic Growth

a) China

[Solution Description]

For China: The decrease in poverty rate is 2.1% – 0.1% = 2.0%. The percentage decrease is $\frac{2.0%}{2.1%} * 100 \approx 95.24%$.

For India: The decrease in poverty rate is 11.9% – 10.5% = 1.4%. The percentage decrease is $\frac{1.4%}{11.9%} * 100 \approx 11.76%$.

Comparing the two, China experienced a much greater percentage decrease in poverty.

Key Concept: Economic Vulnerability

b) Urban casual labour households

[Solution Description]

According to the syllabus, 34 per cent of casual workers in urban areas are below the poverty line. This is the highest percentage among the economic groups discussed for urban areas.

Key Concept: Self-Employment Schemes

c) Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana (PMRY)

[Solution Description]

The Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana (PMRY) was launched in 1993 with the aim of creating self-employment opportunities for educated unemployed youth in rural areas and small towns. Under this scheme, beneficiaries are assisted in setting up small businesses and industries to generate income and reduce unemployment.

Key Concept: Employment and Wage Calculation

b) 22,480

[Solution Description]

To calculate the total wage earned, multiply the number of days worked by the wage rate per day.

Number of days worked = 80

Wage rate per day = \$281

Total wage earned = Number of days worked $\times$ Wage rate per day = $80 \times 281 = \$22,480$

Key Concept: Poverty Resurgence in Former Socialist Countries

b) 2000

[Solution Description]

The given data mentions that poverty resurfaced at 3\% in some former socialist countries like Russia in the year 2000. Therefore, the correct answer is 2000.

Key Concept: Economic Growth, Poverty Reduction

c) 5 years

[Solution Description]

To solve this, we need to calculate the number of years required for the income of the poorest quintile to grow from \$1.50 to \$1.90 at an annual growth rate of 5\%. The formula for compound growth is: $A = P(1 + r)^t$, where $A$ is the final amount, $P$ is the initial amount, $r$ is the growth rate, and $t$ is the time in years. Here, $A = 1.90$, $P = 1.50$, and $r = 0.05$. We need to solve for $t$.

Rearrange the formula to solve for $t$:

$t = \frac{\ln(A/P)}{\ln(1 + r)}$

Substitute the values:

$t = \frac{\ln(1.90/1.50)}{\ln(1 + 0.05)} = \frac{\ln(1.2667)}{\ln(1.05)} = \frac{0.236}{0.0488} \approx 4.84 \text{ years}$

Therefore, it will take approximately 5 years for the average income of the poorest quintile to reach the poverty line.

Key Concept: Program Objectives

c) Urban electrification

[Solution Description]

The syllabus states that PMGY covers basic services such as primary health, primary education, rural shelter, rural drinking water, and rural electrification. Urban electrification is not mentioned as a service covered under PMGY.

Key Concept: Poverty Ratio and Population Growth

c) Significant growth in the overall population

[Solution Description]

The poverty ratio is the percentage of people below the poverty line. Even though the poverty ratio decreased, the total population of India increased significantly during this period. This means that while a smaller percentage of the population was poor, the absolute number of poor people remained high due to population growth.

Key Concept: Poverty Ratio Analysis

b) 26%

[Solution Description]

To find the rural poverty ratio in India for 2011-12, we refer to Table 3.1. According to the table, the rural poverty ratio in 2011-12 is 26%.

Key Concept: Social Groups

d) Scheduled Tribes

[Solution Description] According to the syllabus, 43 out of 100 people belonging to Scheduled Tribes are not able to meet their basic needs. This is the highest percentage mentioned for any social group.

Key Concept: Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana

b) To organize poor families into self-help groups with bank credit and government subsidy

[Solution Description]

The Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), launched in 1999, aims to bring assisted poor families above the poverty line by organizing them into self-help groups through a mix of bank credit and government subsidy.

Key Concept: Poverty Line Estimation

b) People in rural areas engage in more physical work.

[Solution Description]

The primary reason for the higher calorie requirement in rural areas is that people living in rural areas engage in more physical work, such as farming and other labor-intensive activities. This increased physical activity necessitates a higher calorie intake to maintain energy levels and overall health.

Key Concept: Poverty Comparison

d) China

[Solution Description]

According to the data provided, China had the lowest percentage of its population living below \$2.15 a day in 2017 (PPP), with only 0.1\% of its population below this poverty line.

Key Concept: Antyodaya Anna Yojana

d) 35 kilograms

[Solution Description] Under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, each eligible family receives 35 kilograms of rice per month at a highly subsidized rate. This ensures that the basic food needs of the poorest families are met.

Key Concept: Vulnerable Groups

d) Scheduled Tribes

[Solution Description]

The data indicates that 43 out of 100 people belonging to Scheduled Tribes are not able to meet their basic needs, which is the highest among all the mentioned groups. Scheduled Castes have 29% below the poverty line, rural agricultural labourers have 34%, and urban casual labour households have 34%. Therefore, Scheduled Tribes have the highest percentage of people below the poverty line.

Key Concept: Social Exclusion

b) Systematic denial of access to rights and opportunities

[Solution Description]

Social exclusion refers to the process by which individuals or groups are systematically blocked from rights, opportunities, and resources that are normally available to members of society. It is not just about economic deprivation but also includes marginalization from social, political, and cultural participation.

Key Concept: Economic Indicators

a) It does not consider the cost of living in different countries

[Solution Description]

The World Bank’s standard of \$1.90 per person per day is a global benchmark used for comparing poverty across developing countries. However, individual countries define their poverty lines based on their specific economic conditions, development levels, and social norms. For example, what is considered a minimum necessity in one country may differ significantly from another due to variations in cost of living, availability of resources, and cultural expectations. Therefore, countries adopt their own poverty lines tailored to their unique contexts.

Key Concept: Social Exclusion

b) Exclusion from equal opportunities

[Solution Description]

Social exclusion refers to the process through which individuals or groups are excluded from facilities, benefits, and opportunities that others enjoy. It can be both a cause and a consequence of poverty, often leading to greater damage than just having a very low income.

Key Concept: Unemployment

b) Irregular and insufficient employment

[Solution Description]

Ram Saran works as a daily-wage laborer and his employment is irregular, leading to insufficient income to sustain his family. This unemployment or irregular employment is a key issue contributing to his poverty.

Key Concept: Economic Challenges

b) Irregular work and low wages

[Solution Description] Ram Saran faces significant economic challenges such as irregular work and low wages, which are common in urban poverty situations.

Key Concept: Poverty Dynamics, Scheduled Castes

a) Population growth offset the decline in poverty ratio

[Solution Description]

The decline in poverty ratio indicates a relative reduction in the percentage of people below the poverty line. However, if the total population increased significantly during the same period, the absolute number of poor people could remain constant or even increase despite the decline in the poverty ratio. This is because the base population grew, offsetting the decrease in the poverty ratio.

Key Concept: Poverty trends, economic growth impact

b) 28 million

[Solution Description]

Calculate the number of people living below the poverty line in China in 2014. Poverty rate in 2014 = 2.1%, Population = 1.4 billion. Number of people in poverty in 2014 = $1.4 \text{ billion} \times 0.021 = 29.4 \text{ million}$. Next, calculate the number of people living below the poverty line in China in 2020. Poverty rate in 2020 = 0.1%, Population = 1.4 billion. Number of people in poverty in 2020 = $1.4 \text{ billion} \times 0.001 = 1.4 \text{ million}$. The reduction in the number of people living in poverty from 2014 to 2020 is $29.4 \text{ million} – 1.4 \text{ million} = 28 \text{ million}$.

Key Concept: Population Growth, Job Opportunities

c) Increased competition for limited job opportunities

[Solution Description]

High population growth leads to an increase in the labor force without a corresponding increase in job opportunities. This results in higher unemployment or underemployment, which in turn reduces overall income levels and exacerbates poverty.

Key Concept: Inequality within families

b) Women are traditionally paid less than men in their society

[Solution Description] In Sivaraman’s family, Sasikala receives a lower wage (\$100 per day) compared to Sivaraman (\$160 per day) for the same work. This is an example of gender-based wage disparity, where women are often paid less than men for equivalent labor.

Key Concept: Education Deprivation Due to Poverty

b) Financial constraints and prioritising son’s education

[Solution Description]

Sivaraman’s case highlights gender discrimination and financial constraints. He cannot afford school necessities for all his children, and due to societal norms, priority is given to educating the son over the daughters, as the girls are expected to be married off early.

Key Concept: Challenges in Poverty Alleviation

a) Lack of proper implementation and right targeting

[Solution Description]

The syllabus mentions that the lack of proper implementation and right targeting is a major reason for the less effectiveness of poverty alleviation schemes. Overlapping of schemes and improper monitoring also contribute to the problem.

Key Concept: Poverty Trends in India

b) 20%

[Solution Description]

The passage states that every fifth person in India is poor, which translates to approximately 20% of the population. This means that roughly 270 million (or 27 crore) people in India live in poverty according to the 2011-12 data.

Key Concept: Global Poverty Trends, Sub-Saharan Africa

c) 12 million

[Solution Description]

Step 1: Calculate the number of poor in 2017 by multiplying the population by the poverty rate. $1,000,000,000 \times 0.366 = 366,000,000$ people.

Step 2: Calculate the number of poor in 2019 similarly. $1,000,000,000 \times 0.354 = 354,000,000$ people.

Step 3: Find the reduction by subtracting the 2019 figure from the 2017 figure. $366,000,000 – 354,000,000 = 12,000,000$ people.

The reduction in the number of people living in poverty is 12 million.

Key Concept: Landlessness and Unemployment

c) Inconsistent employment opportunities

[Solution Description]

Landlessness often leads to unemployment or irregular employment because individuals cannot rely on farming as a stable source of income. Without land, they are forced to work as daily wage laborers or do odd jobs for landowners, which results in inconsistent income and financial instability.

Key Concept: Illiteracy, Unemployment

d) Illiterate individuals are less likely to find employment due to lack of necessary skills

[Solution Description]

Illiteracy limits an individual’s ability to acquire skills and knowledge needed for employment, leading to higher unemployment rates. Without basic literacy, individuals are less likely to secure jobs that require even minimal educational qualifications. This creates a cycle where lack of education perpetuates unemployment, and unemployment further reduces opportunities for gaining education or skills.

Key Concept: Poverty, Vulnerability, Healthcare

c) Implementing universal health coverage

[Solution Description]

The best strategy to address both healthcare needs and reduce vulnerability is to implement universal health coverage. This ensures that the family has access to necessary medical services without financial hardship, thereby reducing their vulnerability. While increasing awareness and providing free vaccinations are beneficial, they do not fully address all healthcare needs. Microfinance loans may help with income generation but do not directly provide healthcare access.

Key Concept: Poverty as a Challenge

b) Erratic and low income

[Solution Description] Lakha Singh’s family does not own any land and depends on odd jobs for income. Since work is erratic and often paid in kind rather than money, they cannot consistently afford two square meals a day. Thus, the primary reason is “Erratic and low income.”

Key Concept: Gender-based disparities

b) The family cannot afford school expenses for the girls.

[Solution Description]

In Sivaraman’s family, the girls are not sent to school because buying books and other school-related items is considered a luxury that the family cannot afford. Additionally, Sivaraman believes that he will have to get the girls married at some point, so he does not want to spend on their education now.

Key Concept: Gender Pay Gap

c) 37.5%

[Solution Description]

The gender pay gap can be calculated using the formula:

$\text{Percentage Difference} = \left(\frac{\text{Higher Wage} – \text{Lower Wage}}{\text{Higher Wage}}\right) \times 100$

Substituting the values:

$\text{Percentage Difference} = \left(\frac{160 – 100}{160}\right) \times 100 = \left(\frac{60}{160}\right) \times 100 = 37.5%$

The percentage difference in their daily wages is 37.5%.

Key Concept: Global Poverty Trends, Comparison Analysis

b) 450 million

[Solution Description]

Calculate the number of extreme poor in Sub-Saharan Africa using the given ratio:

$\text{Extreme Poor in Sub-Saharan Africa} = \frac{9}{10} \times 500\, \text{million} = 450\, \text{million}$

Key Concept: Urban Poverty

d) Rs 2,600

[Solution Description] To find the total monthly income of Ram Saran’s family, we add the earnings of Ram Saran, his wife, and their son. Ram Saran earns Rs 1,500, his wife earns Rs 800, and their son earns Rs 300. So, the total monthly income is $1500 + 800 + 300 = 2600$. Thus, the total monthly income of the family is Rs 2,600.

Key Concept: Poverty Ratio Concept

a) Population growth offset the reduction in poverty ratio.

[Solution Description]

The poverty ratio is the percentage of people below the poverty line. Even though the poverty ratio decreased, the population in rural areas might have increased over the years. This would result in a higher number of individuals still falling under the poverty line despite the decrease in the poverty ratio. Thus, the number of poor remains almost the same.

Key Concept: Basic Concept

b) Punjab

[Solution Description] Punjab has a lower poverty rate due to its agricultural prosperity and industrial growth.

Key Concept: Illiteracy

c) He had to start earning at a young age

[Solution Description]

Lakha Singh belongs to a small village near Meerut. Although the village has a primary school, he had to start earning when he was just 10 years old. Poverty forced him into child labor at an early age, depriving him of the opportunity to attend school and become literate.

Key Concept: Social Exclusion, Vulnerability

c) A backward caste community excluded from education and residing in a flood-prone area.

[Solution Description]

Social exclusion refers to the process where individuals or groups are excluded from facilities, benefits, and opportunities that others enjoy. Vulnerability to poverty describes the greater probability of certain communities or individuals becoming or remaining poor in the future. A scenario that combines both concepts would involve a group that is not only excluded from equal opportunities but also faces higher risks of poverty due to external factors like natural disasters or lack of job opportunities.

For example, consider a community belonging to a backward caste in India that is excluded from better educational and job opportunities. Additionally, this community resides in an area prone to frequent floods, which further exacerbates their economic instability. This situation illustrates both social exclusion (lack of access to opportunities) and vulnerability (higher risk of poverty due to environmental factors).

Key Concept: PMRY Year of Launch

b) 1993

[Solution Description]

The Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana (PMRY) was launched in the year 1993.

Key Concept: Economic Groups

c) Urban Casual Labourers

[Solution Description]

The syllabus states that 34\% of casual workers in urban areas are below the poverty line, which is the highest among the economic groups mentioned.

Key Concept: Poverty Dimensions, Population

b) 22.31%

[Solution Description]

To find the percentage of the population living in poverty, divide the number of poor people by the total population and multiply by 100. The calculation is: (270 million / 1.21 billion) × 100. Since 1 billion equals 1,000 million, 1.21 billion equals 1,210 million. Thus, (270 / 1,210) × 100 ≈ 22.31%. This means approximately 22.31% of the population lived in poverty.

Key Concept: Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY

d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

[Solution Description]

The Assertion claims that the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) has successfully eradicated poverty in rural areas since its launch in 1999. However, the syllabus explicitly states that the results of the programme have been mixed due to issues like lack of proper implementation, right targeting, and overlapping of schemes. Therefore, the Assertion is false. The Reason, on the other hand, correctly describes the objective of the SGSY, which is to organize poor families into self-help groups and provide them with a mix of bank credit and government subsidy. Hence, the Reason is true. Since the Assertion is false while the Reason is true, the correct answer is option d).

Key Concept: Inter-State Disparities

a) Bihar

[Solution Description]

The poverty ratios for the given states are as follows: Bihar (33.7\%), Odisha (32.6\%), Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Among these, Bihar has the highest poverty ratio of $33.7\%$.

Key Concept: Poverty Ratios

c) Bihar

[Solution Description]

According to the syllabus, Bihar and Odisha were the two poorest states in 2011-12 with poverty ratios of 33.7\% and 32.6\% respectively. Hence, Bihar had the highest poverty ratio.

Key Concept: Income Inequality and Poverty

c) Unequal distribution of land and other resources

[Solution Description]

One major cause of high income inequality in India is the unequal distribution of land and other resources. Despite various policies aimed at redistribution, such as land reforms, their implementation has been ineffective, leading to persistent poverty among rural populations.

Key Concept: Vulnerability of Scheduled Tribes

c) 43%

[Solution Description]

The syllabus states that 43 out of 100 people belonging to Scheduled Tribes are not able to meet their basic needs. This means the proportion is 43%.

Key Concept: Economic Development

b) Differences in economic development

[Solution Description]

Inter-state disparities in poverty levels in India are mainly due to differences in economic development among states. States with higher economic growth rates tend to have lower poverty levels.

Key Concept: Concept: Calorie Requirement

b) 2400 calories in rural and 2100 calories in urban areas

[Solution Description] The syllabus states that the accepted average calorie requirement is 2400 calories per person per day in rural areas and 2100 calories per person per day in urban areas. This difference is due to the higher physical activity levels in rural areas compared to urban areas.

Key Concept: Lack of Shelter, Economic Vulnerability

c) Irregular and low income levels

[Solution Description]

Both Ram Saran and Lakha Singh suffer from irregular and low incomes, which prevent them from saving enough to invest in better housing. Their economic vulnerability keeps them trapped in poor living conditions, as they cannot afford improvements or move to better accommodations.

Key Concept: Inter-State Disparities in Poverty

c) Madhya Pradesh

[Solution Description]

As per the 2011 Census, the top three states with the highest poverty ratios were Bihar (33.7\%), Odisha (32.6\%), and Uttar Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh is not among these top three.

Key Concept: Social Exclusion

b) Exclusion from equal opportunities and social benefits

[Solution Description] Social exclusion refers to the process through which individuals or groups are excluded from facilities, benefits, and opportunities that others enjoy. It is both a cause and consequence of poverty, often leading to more damage than just having a low income. For example, the caste system in India excludes certain castes from equal opportunities.

Key Concept: Unemployment and Landlessness

b) Ruining of traditional handicrafts

[Solution Description]

The British colonial administration policies ruined traditional handicrafts and discouraged industries like textiles, leading to less job opportunities and low income growth rates.

Key Concept: Historical Factors

c) Unequal resource distribution

[Solution Description]

Despite various policies aimed at reducing income inequalities, such as land reforms for redistribution of assets in rural areas, their implementation has been poor and ineffective by most state governments. The unequal distribution of land and other resources remains a significant cause of persistent income inequalities and poverty in India.

Key Concept: Inter-State Disparities

c) Bihar

[Solution Description] According to the Economic Survey 2020–21 and the 2011 Census, Bihar, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh were among the states with the highest poverty ratios.

Key Concept: Health Issues

b) Tuberculosis

[Solution Description]

The story mentions that Lakha Singh’s mother suffers from TB (Tuberculosis). Therefore, the health issue she suffers from is TB.

Key Concept: Social Exclusion

c) Exclusion from equal opportunities due to caste system

[Solution Description]

Social exclusion refers to the process where individuals or groups are denied access to facilities, benefits, and opportunities that others enjoy. This can be both a cause and a consequence of poverty. It often leads to living in poor surroundings with limited access to resources, which exacerbates the cycle of poverty.