MS03 : ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

DEC 2003

Note : There are two Sections A and B. Attempt any three questions from Section A. Section B is compulsory.

SECTION A

1 Examine the changing role of the government in the context of the new economic reforms and programmes. [25]

2(a) Explain the major structural characteristics of India ’s industrial sector.

(b) “Liberalisation will help industrialisation”. Examine this statement. [25]

3 Explain the objectives of economic planning in India . Discuss the achievements of economic planning in our country in the light of these objectives.                                                                                                                                               [25]         

4 Write short notes on the following:                                                                                                                             [25] (a) Industrial sickness in India

(b) Foreign collaborations and the import of technology

(c) Social responsibility of business

5 “Economic reforms seem to have a better record in terms of growth, but have failed on the front of social justice.” Discuss in detail.                                                                                                                                                                      [25]

SECTION B

6 Given below are the policy initiatives on small-scale industries in 2002 - 2003 and the performance of small scale sector during the last decade. Go through them carefully and answer the questions at the end.                                                   [25]

Policy initiatives on small-scale industries in 2002 - 03

· Fifty one items were deserved in May 2002.

· In the Union Budget 2002 - 03, income-tax exemption was granted to the income of the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Small Industries for 5 years.

· In the Union Budget 2002 - 03, the general SSI Excise Exemption Scheme has been extended to air guns, air rifles and air pistols (not covered under the Arms Act, 1959); articles of apparel, knitted or crocheted, marble and Bengal lights.

· National Awards for scheduled commercial banks were constituted by the Ministry of Small Scale Industries for best performance in terms of lending to SSIs. The first ever Awards were given away in the 3^rd SSI Convention on August 28, 2002.

· A Biotechnology Cell has been created in the Ministry of SSI under the Chairmanship of Development Commissioner (Small Scale Industries) to facilitate the development and promotion of biotechnology-based industries in the small scale sector.

· For technology upgradation and quality improvement in SSI sector, the scope of the ongoing ISO 9000 reimbursement scheme has been enlarged to include reimbursement of expenses for ISO 14001 Environment Standard with effect from October 28, 2002.

Questions:

(a) Briefly discuss the implications of the policy initiatives taken on small scale industries in 2002 - 03.

(b) Looking at the data, the exports in small scale sector are increasing, but the SSI reservation in India is handicapping the development of efficient economies of scale. Discuss.

(c) Discuss the ways and means to overcome the problems of the growth of SSI sector in India .