The Economy of Maharashtra
EXERCISE
Q. 1. Give economic terms:
1. Investments done by foreign companies in our country
Answer: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
2. Programme for development of small, medium, and micro industries
Answer: Maharashtra State Industrial Cluster Development Programme (MSICDP)
3. Basic requirement for facilitating production and distribution of goods and services for economic development
Answer: Economic Infrastructure
4. Movement that promotes values of self-help, democracy, and equality
Answer: Co-operative Movement
Q. 2. Find the odd word out:
1. Agricultural Indebtedness, dry farming, lack of capital, engineering
Answer: Engineering
Reason: Agricultural indebtedness, dry farming, and lack of capital are problems related to the agricultural sector, while engineering is unrelated to agriculture.
2. Tourism, Banking, Automobile Production, Insurance
Answer: Automobile Production
Reason: Tourism, banking, and insurance are part of the service sector, whereas automobile production belongs to the industrial sector.
3. Pune, Hyderabad, Nasik, Nagpur
Answer: Hyderabad
Reason: Pune, Nasik, and Nagpur are cities in Maharashtra, while Hyderabad is in Telangana.
4. MTDC, MAITRI, SEZ, MIDC
Answer: MTDC
Reason: MAITRI, SEZ, and MIDC are related to industrial and investment facilitation, while MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) is related to tourism.
5. Primary education, Hospitality, Higher education, Skill-based education
Answer: Hospitality
Reason: Primary education, higher education, and skill-based education are part of the education sector, while hospitality is part of the service sector.
Q. 3. Identify and explain the concepts from the given illustrations:
1. To facilitate research in robotic technology, Japan has invested 1000 crores in India
Concept: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Explanation: FDI refers to investments made by foreign companies or governments in another country to establish or expand business operations. Japan’s investment in robotic technology research in India is an example of FDI, contributing to technological advancement and economic growth.
2. Prajakta and her family visited the beaches during her eight-day Diwali vacation
Concept: Tourism
Explanation: Tourism involves traveling for leisure, recreation, or cultural experiences. Prajakta and her family visiting beaches during their vacation is an example of tourism, which boosts the economy through spending on travel, accommodation, and local services.
3. Pravin from Latur works as a technician in the films division at Mumbai city
Concept: Entertainment Industry
Explanation: The entertainment industry includes activities like film production, which generates employment and economic activity. Pravin working as a technician in Mumbai’s film industry (Bollywood) illustrates the role of this sector in providing jobs and contributing to Maharashtra’s economy.
4. Rani Gond from Chandrapur works as a hostess with the Mumbai-Goa cruise ship
Concept: Hospitality
Explanation: Hospitality involves services that cater to the comfort and satisfaction of customers, such as those in tourism and transportation. Rani working as a hostess on a cruise ship is an example of the hospitality industry, which supports tourism and economic growth.
Q. 4. Distinguish between:
1. Economic Infrastructure and Social Infrastructure
| Economic Infrastructure | Social Infrastructure |
|---|---|
| Facilitates production and distribution of goods and services (e.g., energy, transport, communication). | Improves quality of life and human resource development (e.g., education, health, housing). |
| Examples: Roads, ports, electricity generation. | Examples: Schools, hospitals, sanitation facilities. |
| Directly supports economic activities and industrial growth. | Enhances human capital and social well-being. |
2. Agriculture Sector and Service Sector
| Agriculture Sector | Service Sector |
|---|---|
| Involves farming and allied activities like dairy, fisheries, etc. | Includes services like tourism, banking, education, and IT. |
| Contributes 12.2% to GSVA (2016-17). | Contributes 54.5% to GSDP (2017-18). |
| Faces issues like low productivity and irrigation challenges. | Fastest-growing sector with high employment potential. |
3. Tourism and Hospitality
| Tourism | Hospitality |
|---|---|
| Involves traveling for leisure, culture, or recreation. | Focuses on providing services to ensure customer satisfaction during travel. |
| Example: Visiting historical sites or beaches. | Example: Services in hotels, cruises, or restaurants. |
| Promoted by policies like Maharashtra Tourism Policy, 2016. | A broader industry that includes hotels, transport, and event management. |
4. Education and Health Services
| Education | Health Services |
|---|---|
| Focuses on imparting knowledge and skills through schools, colleges, etc. | Focuses on improving physical and mental well-being through hospitals, clinics, etc. |
| Examples: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, RUSA grants. | Examples: National Rural Health Mission, primary health centers. |
| Enhances human resource development and employability. | Improves quality of life and workforce productivity. |
Q. 5. Answer the following:
1. Explain the role of the Co-operative Movement in Maharashtra.
The Co-operative Movement in Maharashtra is a significant contributor to the state’s economic and social development, particularly in rural areas. It promotes values like self-help, democracy, equality, and solidarity. Key roles include:
- Economic Development: It supports rural economies through co-operative societies in agriculture, agro-processing, marketing, and dairy, improving farmers’ incomes.
- Employment Generation: Sectors like sugar co-operatives, fisheries, and textiles provide jobs to millions. As of 2017, there were 1.95 lakh co-operative societies with 5.25 lakh members.
- Social Empowerment: It uplifts underprivileged communities by providing access to credit, housing, and consumer goods through co-operative banks, housing societies, and stores.
- Agricultural Support: Initially focused on agricultural credit, it now includes agro-marketing and processing, reducing dependency on middlemen.
2. The movement has made Maharashtra a leader in co-operative initiatives, enhancing socio-economic conditions.
Explain in detail measures taken by the government for agricultural development of Maharashtra.
The Government of Maharashtra has implemented several measures to boost agricultural development, as per the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2017-18:
- Quality Seeds Distribution: Providing high-quality seeds at reasonable rates to improve crop yields.
- Fertilizer and Pesticide Outlets: Increased the number of distribution outlets to ensure timely availability of inputs.
- Irrigation Development: Expanded irrigation facilities to address the issue of dry land farming and improve productivity.
- Electrification: Electrified agricultural pumps and introduced “electricity on demand” to support irrigation and farm operations.
- Financial Assistance: Provided loans and subsidies to meet farmers’ capital needs and reduce indebtedness.
- Marketing Infrastructure: Established Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs), agro-export zones, horticultural training centers, and grading/packing facilities to enhance market access and reduce dependency on middlemen.
- Awareness Campaigns: Used mass media to educate farmers on modern techniques, making agriculture a profitable business.
These measures aim to address challenges like low productivity, small landholdings, and inadequate irrigation, promoting sustainable agricultural growth.
3. Explain the major problems in the industrial sector of Maharashtra.
The industrial sector in Maharashtra faces several challenges, as outlined in the document:
- Delays in Government Procedures: Bureaucratic delays in approvals and clearances hinder industrial growth.
- Lack of Skill Development Opportunities: Limited access to training programs restricts the availability of skilled labor.
- Outdated Technology: Many industries lag in adopting modern technology, reducing competitiveness.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Poor transport, power, and logistical facilities affect industrial efficiency.
- Lack of Motivation for Entrepreneurs: Insufficient incentives and support discourage new entrepreneurs from entering the market.
- Absence of Development Programs: Limited initiatives for industrial innovation and growth hamper progress.
- Regional Imbalance: Industrial development is concentrated in certain areas (e.g., Mumbai, Pune), leaving other regions underdeveloped.
- These issues need to be addressed to maintain Maharashtra’s position as an industrially advanced state.
4. Explain the measures taken to develop social infrastructure in Maharashtra.
The Government of Maharashtra has undertaken several measures to develop social infrastructure, focusing on education and health services:
Education:
Primary Education: Implemented the Right to Education (RTE) under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), providing free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 years. Expenditure in 2016-17 was ₹19,486 crores.
Secondary Education: Launched Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) to improve access and quality, with ₹16,089 crores spent in 2016-17.
Higher Education: Expanded opportunities through 22 state universities, 21 autonomous universities, and RUSA grants (₹20 crore) for research and innovation. The Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, promotes academic autonomy and skill-based education.
Inclusive Education: Schemes for differently abled children and girls’ education, including free education, bicycles, and bus services for girls.
Tribal Education: Established 556 aided Ashram Schools and hostels to support tribal students.
Adult Literacy: Implemented “Each one Teach one” and Sakshar Bharat Abhiyan to increase literacy rates.
Health Services:
- Established 1,814 primary health centers and 360 community health centers by March 2017.
- Strengthened health systems through National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), focusing on sanitation, nutrition, and safe drinking water.
- Created a three-tier health infrastructure: primary (PHCs, CHCs), secondary (sub-district and district hospitals), and tertiary (medical colleges, super-specialty hospitals).
- These measures aim to improve human capital, quality of life, and socio-economic development in Maharashtra.
Q. 6. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:
Passage:
Government of India has launched an ambitious programme of ‘Bharatnet’ for rural India by keeping in mind today’s modern era. More than one lakh rural (Grampanchayat) areas have been connected under Bharatnet high-speed broadband scheme. Maharashtra has become the best-performing state. East Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand have also been placed among the best-performing states in the first phase of Bharatnet broadband connection scheme.
1. Why did the Government of India launch the Bharatnet project?
Answer: The Government of India launched the Bharatnet project to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to rural areas, enabling digital access and supporting modern-era development.
2. How many Grampanchayats have received the Internet service?
Answer: More than one lakh Grampanchayats have received Internet service under the Bharatnet scheme.
3. Which states have been placed as the best-performing states in the first phase of Bharatnet?
Answer: Maharashtra, East Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand are the best-performing states in the first phase of Bharatnet.
4. ‘Internet has brought the world closer’ – Express your views on it.
Answer: The Internet has indeed brought the world closer by enabling instant communication, access to global information, and opportunities for collaboration. It connects rural and urban areas, promotes education through online resources, boosts businesses via e-commerce, and fosters cultural exchange. In Maharashtra, with 5.45 crore Internet subscribers (2017), it has empowered people with knowledge, job opportunities, and global connectivity, reducing geographical and social barriers. However, challenges like digital literacy and infrastructure gaps need to be addressed to ensure equitable benefits.
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