Mid-day meal, public distribution system, and integrated child development schemes are (A) Poverty alleviation approaches (B) Growth-oriented approaches (C) Minimum basic need approaches (D) None of these

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Points to Remember:

  • Mid-day Meal Scheme (MDM)
  • Public Distribution System (PDS)
  • Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
  • Poverty alleviation vs. growth-oriented vs. minimum basic needs approaches

Introduction:

The question asks to classify Mid-day Meal, Public Distribution System, and Integrated Child Development Schemes based on their primary approach to societal development. These three schemes are flagship government programs in India aimed at improving the well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly children and the poor. Understanding their core objectives is crucial to correctly classifying them. While they might contribute to economic growth indirectly, their primary focus lies elsewhere.

Body:

1. Understanding the Approaches:

  • Poverty Alleviation Approaches: These directly target poverty reduction through measures like income support, job creation, and skill development. The focus is on improving the living standards of the poor.
  • Growth-Oriented Approaches: These prioritize economic growth as the primary means of improving overall societal well-being. Poverty reduction is seen as a byproduct of economic expansion. Examples include infrastructure development and export promotion.
  • Minimum Basic Needs Approaches: These focus on providing essential services and goods to ensure a minimum standard of living for all citizens. This includes access to food, shelter, healthcare, and education. The emphasis is on fulfilling basic human needs, irrespective of economic growth rates.

2. Analyzing the Schemes:

  • Mid-day Meal Scheme (MDM): This program provides free lunches to children in government schools. Its primary aim is to improve school attendance, nutritional status, and overall health of children, thereby contributing to human capital development. This aligns directly with the minimum basic needs approach.

  • Public Distribution System (PDS): This system distributes subsidized food grains and other essential commodities to low-income households. Its main goal is to ensure food security and affordability for the poor, fulfilling a fundamental basic need. This also falls under the minimum basic needs approach.

  • Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): This program provides a package of services for children under six years of age and pregnant and lactating mothers. These services include supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-ups, and early childhood education. The core objective is to improve the health and development of young children, again directly addressing minimum basic needs.

3. Conclusion:

All three schemes â?? MDM, PDS, and ICDS â?? primarily focus on providing essential services and goods to vulnerable populations, thereby ensuring a minimum standard of living. While they might indirectly contribute to poverty alleviation and economic growth, their core objective aligns with the minimum basic needs approach. Therefore, the correct answer is (C). These schemes are crucial for building a more equitable and just society, upholding constitutional values of social justice and equality. Continued investment and improvements in their implementation, including addressing leakages and ensuring effective targeting, are vital for maximizing their impact and achieving holistic development.

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