Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
1)The government’s plan to roll out an extensive social security plan for workers might prove to be a white elephant. Examine.(250 words)
Why this question
Labour reforms have been a lot in news since the past 3-4 years. In this context, the potential carrot of the government in the form of this plan, as a precurson to the stick in form of Labour reforms needs to be analyzed.
Key demand of the question
The question asks us to analyze whether it is a sound decision from various perspectives to invest so much in providing free healthcare from all workers, at a time when labour productivity is poor, priorities are many and similar programs exist. This central query has to be examined from different perspective
Directive word
Examine – We have to examine the issue from different perspectives, elucidating the pros and cons of such a measure and analyzing whether this is the most efficient step that could have been taken. Some suggestions at the end are also welcome
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain the scheme and the debates of the issue
Body
- Examine the benefit for having such a move. In this the focus should be on justifying the money, resources etc spent on providing healthcare for all workers.
- Examine why this scheme does not make sense – the question of labour productivity, economy of the scheme etc
- Examine whether this is the most efficient way of providing social security when other such schemes exist
- Suggest some alternatives
Conclusion – Summarize the arguments presented above and mention the need for bringing in labour reforms to enhance the stake of each stakeholder such that benefits can be provided.
