logo

The Role of the Government

Think of the government as a guardian of the country. Its main responsibility is to ensure growth reaches everyone, not just a few rich people. The government takes actions to improve the lives of all citizens, especially those who might be left behind if only private companies were in charge.

1. Provides Basic Services That Private Companies Won't

Key Point:

Private companies focus on profit. If there is no money to be made in an area, they ignore it. The government, however, steps in where needed, providing essential services even if it means making a loss. This is called public welfare.

Elaboration:

  • Some services, such as basic education, healthcare, and infrastructure, are essential for everyone. But, they may not attract private companies because these services don’t always make money.
  • The government provides these services to ensure that everyone, including the poorest and those in remote areas, has access.
  • This helps remove inequality and ensures that no one is left behind.

Examples:

  1. Schools & Hospitals in Rural Areas:
    • A small village might not seem profitable to build a school or hospital. The government still builds them so all children can go to school and everyone can access healthcare.
    • For example, in a remote hilly area, the government sets up a small hospital so people don’t have to travel far for treatment.
  2. Supplying Electricity to Villages:
    • Laying electric lines to far-off places is expensive and private companies may ignore these places. The government does it to improve the quality of life in those villages.
    • For instance, connecting a tiny mountain village to the power grid so children can read at night.
  3. Building Roads, Bridges, and Highways:
    • Connecting regions improves trade, education, and health. Even where there is little chance to make money, the government builds roads for the benefit of everyone.
    • Example: Building a bridge over a river in a remote district so that students can reach their school safely.

2. Ensures Development for All

Key Point:

Growth should not only benefit a few. The government ensures inclusive growth by making rules and running special programs so everyone gets help.

Elaboration:

  • Without the government’s intervention, sometimes only the rich enjoy the benefits of development.
  • The government creates laws and policies to make sure everyone, especially the poor and the marginalized, can progress.
  • It provides subsidies, scholarships, and welfare schemes to the weaker sections.

Examples:

  1. Public Distribution System (PDS):
    • The government sells rice, wheat, and sugar at subsidised rates to families with low income through ration shops, so that no one suffers from hunger.
    • For example, a poor family in a city gets rice at Rs. 2 per kg instead of Rs. 30 per kg due to PDS.
  2. Scholarships for Students:
    • The government gives financial help to bright students from poor backgrounds so they can continue their studies.
    • If a girl from a village belongs to a low-income family, she may get a scholarship to study in college.
  3. Healthcare Programs:
    • Government runs free vaccination and nutrition programs for mothers and children, ensuring better health for all.
    • For instance, a health camp held in a slum area provides free check-ups and medicines.

3. Protects Workers in the Unorganised Sector

Key Point:

Unorganised sector workers, like farm labourers or street vendors, often have insecure jobs, low pay, and no benefits. The government protects them and gives them opportunities to earn.

Elaboration:

  • Many people in India work without any job security, fixed wages, or social benefits.
  • The government makes laws and runs schemes to ensure they are not exploited and get a minimum level of security and income.
  • The biggest step in this area is the MGNREGA Act.

Examples:

  1. MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act):
    • Under this law, every adult in a rural family can demand up to 100 days of paid work in a year. The government must provide work within 15 days, or pay unemployment allowance.
    • If a labourer in a small village has no work, he can ask the government for a job like digging a pond, and will be paid for it.
  2. Minimum Wage Laws:
    • The government fixes a minimum wage for various jobs, so that no worker is paid below a certain rate.
    • For example, a construction worker must get at least Rs. 300 a day if that is the minimum wage set by the government.
  3. Social Security Schemes:
    • Some schemes provide benefits like old age pensions or health insurance to workers in the unorganised sector.
    • For instance, a street vendor in a city may receive a small pension after turning 60.

MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) 2005

MGNREGA is one of the most powerful laws India has made to help rural people find work and ensure no one is left without income.

How does MGNREGA work? Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Right to Work

  • In every village, any adult can use this law to demand work.
    For example, Sita, a 30-year-old woman from a small village, can approach her village office for a job under MGNREGA.

Step 2: Demand Work

  • Go to the local government office (Gram Panchayat).
  • Fill out a simple application for work.

Step 3: Government Must Provide Work

  • The government must assign a job (like road building, pond digging, etc.) within 15 days.
  • If no work is provided, you get an unemployment allowance.

Step 4: 100 Days of Work

  • Each rural household is guaranteed at least 100 days of paid work each year.

Step 5: Payment

  • Government pays wages as per the minimum wage law. Payment is often done directly in bank accounts for safety and transparency.

Observations & Examples from MGNREGA Activities

Common Activities:

  1. Digging Ponds for Water Conservation
    • Villagers dig a pond to catch rainwater, which helps during dry months.
      Example: Ramu works for 10 days digging a pond; his village now has water in summers.
  2. Building Roads
    • Workers build a small road to connect one village to another.
      Example: Meena’s children can now go to school easily using the new road.
  3. Planting Trees (Afforestation)
    • Workers plant hundreds of trees along the roadside.
      Example: The village gets cleaner air and more shade.

Observations:

  • Villagers receive guaranteed income.
  • Useful infrastructure is created.
  • Fewer people migrate to cities for work.
  • Women also participate and earn wages.

How does it reduce Disguised Unemployment?

Elaboration:

  • Many families have more people on their small farm than the farm really needs. Some people have no real work but are still called employed on the farm (disguised unemployment).
  • MGNREGA offers these people new, useful work.
  • Now, everyone is actually producing something and earning a wage.

Example:

  • A farmer and his two sons were working on a small piece of land. But the land only needs one person. The extra two can join MGNREGA for road work and truly become employed.

MGNREGA Activity Example: Step-by-Step

Activity: Digging a Rainwater Pond

Steps:

  1. A group of villagers apply for work under MGNREGA at the panchayat.
  2. The job assigned is to dig a large pond for rainwater storage.
  3. Villagers get tools from the government office.
  4. The work is supervised by an engineer.
  5. Each worker gets paid at the end of the week.

Observations:

  • The village now has a pond that collects rainwater, solving water shortage problems in summer.
  • All participating villagers have earned income.
  • Some women used the money to buy books for their children's school.

In Short

The government plays a vital role in:

  • Providing basic services to everyone, especially where profits are low.
  • Helping the poor and marginalized so that growth benefits all.
  • Protecting and empowering workers in insecure jobs through schemes like MGNREGA.

Scenario-Based Questions

  1. Scenario: Your village is in a remote area and does not have a hospital.

    • Question: What steps can the government take to help villagers get medical care?
    • Answer: The government can set up a small public hospital or health center even if private companies are not interested. This ensures people can access healthcare and do not have to travel far for basic treatment.

  2. Scenario: You notice that in your neighbourhood, only a few rich children can attend private schools, while many poor children are unable to study.

    • Question: How can the government help bridge this gap?
    • Answer: The government can build public schools, provide scholarships, and give free textbooks and mid-day meals to encourage all children, rich or poor, to attend school.

  3. Scenario: During the dry season, there is no work on Rahul's family farm.

    • Question: What can Rahul do under current government schemes?
    • Answer: Rahul and his family members can apply for work under MGNREGA. They will be given work like pond digging or road construction and get paid for it.

  4. Scenario: Your mother works as a street vendor and has no savings or security if she gets ill or old.

    • Question: What measures can the government offer for her benefit?
    • Answer: The government can provide social security schemes, health insurance for unorganised workers, and pension schemes for the elderly.

  5. Scenario: A group of women workers are being paid much lower wages than the minimum wage fixed by the government.

    • Question: What action can they take to protect their rights?
    • Answer: They can approach the local labour office or authorities to enforce minimum wage laws. The government is responsible to ensure everyone gets at least the legal minimum wage.

Back to Topics

Take the test