Page 37 - Understanding Economics for Class 10

school, more school building, teachers, staff will be required thereby creating more
employment opportunities. A study conducted by planning commission(known as NITI
Ayog) estimates that nearly 20 lakh jobs can be created in the education sector alone.
 Similarly in the health sector we need more doctors, nurses, health workers in rural areas.
Goyal Brothers Prakashan
 By creating job in education and health sector, a country will develop more.
 Employment opportunities can be increased through tourism (Study by Planning Commission
shows more than 35 lakh people can be employed by increasing tourism) regional craft
industry, new services like IT.
Every state or region has the potential to increase the income and employment for people depending
upon in which area they can grow. It requires the support and planning from the government.
Some of the above suggested measures will take time to implement. For short time, quick
measures are required.
 The Central Government in India made a law implementing the Right to Work in about
625 districts of India. It is called Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act 2005 (MGNREGA 2005). It aims to provide guaranteed 100 days of
wage employment to all those who are able to, and in need of work in rural areas.
Unemployment allowances will be provided by the government. if it fails in providing
employment. Under this act, the type of work that would help in future to increase the
production of land will be given preference.

Let’s Work these out (Page No. 29)

1. Why do you think MGNREGA 2005 is referred to as ‘Right to work’ ?
Ans. Right to work refers to the right of an individual to work or engage in any productive
employment and in this process he or she may not be prevented from doing so.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MGNREGA 2005)
is referred to as ‘Right to work’ because this act is based on the idea that everyone has
right to work to earn their livelihood. It aims to provide guaranteed 100 days of wage
employment to all those who are able to, and in need of work in rural areas.

2. Imagine that you are the village head. In that capacity suggest some activities that you think
should be taken up under this Act that would also increase the income of people? Discuss.
Ans. Activities that are related to and promote agriculture should be encouraged because in
rural areas agriculture is the primary activity. Some of the activities are:
(i) Opening up of cold storage so that farmers can store their production for long and
can sell it in the market when prices are good.
(ii) Setting up of dal mills to procure and process the production of farmers and helping
in selling it in the market.
(iii) Making provision for better irrigation facilities like digging well so that farmers are
able to produce more and hence earn more.
(iv) Fair/Reasonable rate of interest should be fixed on the loans which will be given to
farmers. Unfair practices should be checked.
(v) Honey collection centers can also be set up near Forest areas where wild honey can be sold.
(vi) Setting up of industries that process vegetables and agricultural produce like potato,
sweet potato, rice, wheat, tomato, fruits, which can be sold in outside markets. This
will provide employment in industries located in semi-rural areas.

Economics Class X E-31