Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension

Private interest as public purpose

The Bill to amend the 2013 land acquisition Act is neither pro-farmer nor pro-poor

A study of 1660 judgments of the Punjab and Haryana High Court (2009-11) 
shows how the average government compensation for farmers losing land is just about one-fourth of the market value

Next week the economic agenda of the Narendra Modi government will face its biggest test in Parliament. 

The controversial Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition,

 Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015 (LARR) that has been introduced in Lok Sabha is due for consideration of the house on March 9.

 While the government seems determined to push the Bill through Parliament, the opposition parties have vowed to oppose it tooth and nail.

The stakes are very high for both sides. Ensuring hassle-free and cheap land to private companies is a crucial component of the
 economic agenda of the government. The government has made it clear that it will consider only ‘meaningful’ amendments, but will not change the core of the Bill. 

On the other hand, for opposition parties the Bill offers an opportunity for revival. They want to capitalise on the battle that has been raging outside Parliament.

A foot-march by tens of thousands of farmers, agricultural workers and tribals from 16 States reached Jantar Mantar on February 23 to join a protest-
 launched by Anna Hazare.The social activist has described the ordinance as a grave form of injustice to farmers and others who depend on land for livelihood. 

Mr. Hazare has made it clear that the current protest is just a beginning of a larger movement that will continue until the anti-farmer Bill was withdrawn.

That many organisations of farmers, agricultural workers and tribals from different parts of the country have started protests is not surprising. Since Independence, 

millions have been displaced and dispossessed of their livelihood due to land acquisition, and  have received a pittance by way of compensation.

Farmers get a pittance

A study I undertook of 1,660 judgments of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, delivered between 2009 and 2011,
 demonstrates how farmers have been receiving the short end of the stick. 

It shows that the average government compensation is just about one-fourth of the market value of land. In other words, for a land worth Rs. 1 lakh, on average, 

the farmer has received Rs. 25,000 and paid a subsidy of Rs. 75,000 to whoever received the land. If this is the case with farmers-
 who could afford costly litigation, what about those too poor to do so?

As to the landless livelihood loser — sharecroppers, labourers, fishermen and artisans — their situation can best be described in the words of -
Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Scene 1: “You take my life when you do take the means whereby I live.”

Misleading claims

The government has sought to justify the Bill by attacking the LARR as anti-development. The Finance Minister, who is the architect of the ordinance, 

in his blog has criticised the land acquisition process under the Act as: “A highly complicated process of acquisition which renders

 it difficult or almost impossible to acquire land can hurt India’s development.”

Such claims are completely misleading. The LARR had been in place only for a year and there is no evidence-
 suggesting that project delays increased during this period. On the contrary, 

data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation show that more than 82 per cent of projects suffered delays -
even under the 1894 Act — the notorious ‘urgency clause’ under this colonial law permitted land acquisition without any scrutiny or hindrance whatsoever. 
Clearly, several factors other than land acquisition also cause delays.

Also, the government has made much of the increase in compensation; now, it can be two to four times the ‘market rates’. 

The corporate sector and its sympathiser claim that the increased compensation has rendered many projects unsustainable, threatening the growth prospects. 

Some UPA leaders also seem to share this view, which is totally baseless, since the officials assess market value using stamp-duty and the sale-deeds rates as proxy.

 As the above-mentioned study of court cases shows, the latter rates are a fraction of the actual market prices. Therefore, even at two to four times the stamp-duty rates, 

the compensation will be less than the actual value.

The SIA and the R&R are crucial for ensuring that people get dispossessed and displaced when it is really worth it. Similarly, 

prior consent of the affected families is a necessary check on the misuse of the eminent domain power of the state. With these provisions absent, 

how can the bill be pro-farmer and pro-poor?

(Ram Singh is Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Delhi School of Economics.

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it. 

Some words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions

Ques. 1 By opposing the bill, how can the  bill can offer an opportunity for the revival of the opposition government?

(a) No matter what, by opposing the efforts of the Modi's government, the UPA can get an access back into the parliament.

(b) By playing the blame game

(c) By playing the sympathy game with the thousands of farmers, agricultural workers and tribals.

(d) By supporting the Anna Hazare, they can gain many votes of his supporters.

(e) None of these

Ques. 2 According to Anna Hazare, why the ordinance is the "grave form of injustice"?

(a) Boosting the industry sector will hamper the growth of the agriculture sector.

(b) The farmers are receiving the pittance by the way of compensation.

(c) Majority of populations will drift towards the industrial sector, which will leave a dent on the agricultural sector.

(d) The government is not providing the right way of living for the farmers.

(e) None of these

Ques. 3 Describe “You take my life when you do take the means whereby I live.”

Ques. 4 Why the huge turn-out of farmers in Anna Hazare protest is not surprising?

(a) People are looking for a leader like Anna Hazare, who can make their voices heard.

(b) Since Independence, millions have been displaced and dispossessed of their livelihood due to land acquisition.

(c) The government has been belligerent and repentant towards the farmer's needs.

(d) After the downfall of Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal, the huge turnout is our of pity for him.

(e) None of these

Ques. 5 Why Arun Jaitley, the architect of the ordinance, criticized it later?

Ques. 6 What is the "urgency clause" in 1894 Act?

Ques. 7 Can Modi's Govt can be considered as the "anti-farmer". Please elaborate.

Ques. 8 Who, according to you, is compassionate and concerned about the farmers - Anna Hazare, Modi & UPA? Elaborate.

Ques. 9 Expand SIA and RAR.

Ques. 10 According to you, how the central government can make the bill pro-farmer and pro-poor?

Directions:  Which of the following words is most opposite in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage?

Ques. 11 Capitalise

(a) obtain

(b) subsidize 

(c) forfeit

(d) exploit

(e) gain

Ques. 12 Litigation

(a) action
(b) dispute 
(c) suit
(d) trial 
(e) None of these

Ques. 13 Hindrance

(a) liberation
(b) cumbrance
(c) impediment
(d) impedance
(e) restraint

Directions: Which of the following words is the same in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage:

Ques. 14 Tooth and Nail

(a) full tilt

(b) go along

(c) make peace

(d) encourage

(e) retreat

Ques. 15 Eminent

(a) notable

(b) common

(c) insignificant

(d) obscure

(e) unnotable

Ques. 16 Scrutiny

(a) inspection

(b) glance

(c) cursory look

(d) ogle

(e) glimpse

ANSWERS

1. c

2. b

4. b
11. c
12. e
13. a
14. a
15. a
16. a

Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it.

 Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

For years now, George W. Bush has told Americans that he would increase the number of troops in Iraq only if,
 the commanders on the ground asked him to do so.It was not a throw away live. Bush said it from the very first days of the war,
 when he and pentagon boss Donald Rumsfeld were criticized for going to war with too few troops.

 He said it right up until last summer, stressing at a news conference in Chicago that Iraq commander-
 General George Casey will make the decisions as to how many troops we have there.

 Seasoned military people suspected that the line was a dodge that the civilians -
who ran the pentagon were testing their personal theory that war can be fought on the cheap and the brass-

 simply knew better than to ask for more in any case the president repeated the mantra to dismiss any suggestion that the war was going badly.
 Who, after all, knew better than the generalson the ground? Now as the war nears the end of its fourth year -
and the number of Americans killed has surpassed 3,000 Bush has dropped the generals know best line sometime next-

 week the president is expected to propose a surge in the number of 45 forces in Iraq for a period of up to two years. A senior official said reinforcements-

 numbering about 20,000 troops and may be more could be in place within months; the surge would0-
 be achieved by extending the stay of some forces already in Iraq and accelerating the deployment of others.

The irony is that while the generals would have liked more troops in the past, they are cool to the idea of spending more now that’s -

in past because the politicians and commanders had trouble agreeing on-

 what the goal of a surge would further erode the readiness of the US’s already stressed ground forces and even those who back a surge are under-

 no illusions about what it would mean to the casualty rate. If you put more American troops on the front line said a white house official, 
you’re going to have more casualties.Coming from Bush, a man known for bold strokes the surge is a strange half-measure-too large for the political climate -

at house too small to crush theinsurgency in Iraq and surely three years too late Bush has waved off a bipartisan rescue-

 mission out of pride stubbornness or ideology or same combination of the three, Rather than reversing course,
 as all the wise elders of the Iraq study group advised,the commander in chief is betting that more troops-
 will lead the way to what one white house official calls “victory.”

1. Bush and Rumsfeld had received brick bats  for-

(1) waging a war against Iraq

(2) testing their personal theories

(3) their assertion in the news conference in Chicago

(4) turning down the demands of general George Casey

(5) None  of these

2. George Bush gave an impression to his subjects that his army commanders were given the autonomy to decide-

(1) when to start or stop the war in Iraq

(2) the reasonable requirement of American troops to fight the war in Iraq

(3) how many troops should Iraq use to fight against the Americans

(4) the pentagon policies regarding war in Iraq

(5) None of these

3. From the content of the passage, which of the following can be definitely inferred?

(A) The US troops in Iraq are happy with their victory

(B) The troops already fighting the war in Iraq are sufficient enough to combat the situation effectively

(C) The Generals who were earlier not in favor of increasing troops in Iraq are now insisting on surge.

(1) A and B only                      

(2) B and C only

(3) A and C only                      

(4) None

(5) All of three

4. Which of the following best describes Bush’s persistent reaction to the observations that the Iraq war strategy was not effective due to inadequate American forces?

(1) Such strategies are better left to army commanders to decide on the ground.

(2) Civilians are the best assessors of such strategies

(3) War can be fought on the cheap

(4) The brass knew better of war but not of politics.

(5) None of these

5. The author of the passage appears to be-

(1) in favor of enhancement of American troops in Iraq

(2) critical about Bush’s strategy of handling situation in Iraq

(3) an impartial assessor of the US strategy related to the situation in Iraq.

(4) an indifferent on looker of what is happening in Iraq

(5) inclined to the idea of with drawl of American troops to save casualty.

6. Which of the following is the assessment of the commander-in chief of US forced in Iraq on the present situation there?

(1) America’s desired goal will be achieved if more troops are deployed in Iraq.

(2) Withdrawal of troops from Iraq is essential to raise the moral of US army.

(3) Further strengthening of the US army in Iraq will be suicidal as it means more destruction of US forces.

(4) Pentagon’s civilians should not have been allowed to interfere with the army commanders’ strategies.

(5) None of these

7. Which of the following strategies would achieve the desired increase in American forces in Iraq?

(A) Continuation obstay of troops for a further period.

(B) Expeditious deployment of additional troops.

(C) Seeking additional input from politicians and commanders of neighboring friendly countries.

(1) A and C only                      

(2) C only

(3) B only                                  

(4) A and B only

(5) None of these

8. Why do the army commanders disfavor enhancement of troops now?

(A) More force means more casualties.

(B) Difference of opinion between politicians and commanders about the aim of the troop enhancement

(C) Probable adverse psychological impact on ground forces.

(1) Only A and B                     

(2) Only B and C

(3) All the three                      

(4) Only A and C

(5) None of these

9. Which of the following made Bush change his thinking about the requirement of forces in Iraq?

(A) The unreasonably long period for which the war continued

(B) The large number of American soldiers killed in the war

(C) Demand from the army commanders

(1) Only A and C                     

(2) Only A and B

(3) Only B and C                     

(4) All three

(5) Only C

Directions (10-12): Which of the following is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word given in bold as used in the passage?

10. Cool

(1) Warm                                 

(2) Enthusiastic

(3) Unwelcome                       

(4) Intemperate

(5) Indifferent

11. Surge

(1) Enhancement                   

(2) Trivializing

(3) Reduction                         

(4) Strengthening

(5) Up gradation

12. Stubbornness

(1) Uncertainty                       

(2) Weakness

(3) Acceptability                    

(4) Infirmity

(5) Flexibility

Directions (13-15): Which of the following is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word given in bold as used in passage?

13. Illusion

(1) Reality                                 

(2) Reflection

(3) Fantastic                            

(4) Delusion

(5) Deviation

14. Insurgency

(1) Rebellion                           

(2) Ingredient

(3) Combat                               

(4) Debacle

(5) Violation

15. Irony

(1) Leveling                              

(2) Precaution

(3) Controversy                      

(4) Mockery

(5) Perception

ANSWERS

1. 5
2. 2
3. 4
4. 1
5. 2
6. 1
7. 4
8. 2
9. 2
10. 1
11. 3
12. 5
13. 4
14. 1
15. 4

Reading Comprehension

 Reading Comprehension

Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian’s first Economic Survey is notable for three main reasons.

 First, the overall sense of optimism that it exudes — and justifiably so — on the economy and its prospects in the medium term.

 Second, the emphasis on fiscal discipline, quality of expenditure and public investment, mainly in the Railways,

 to give a boost to the economy. And finally, the thrust on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet schemes of Jan Dhan Yojana -

and Direct Benefit Transfers as means of eliminating leakages in the subsidy mechanism and ensuring that subsidies reach those who deserve it.

 Alongside, Mr. Subramanian has also raised a question mark over the new data series on GDP growth announced a couple of weeks ago, 

pointing out that India is not a ‘tiger economy’ yet as the data would have us believe. India’s is a recovering economy rather than a surging one, 

the Survey says, pointing out that the numbers seem difficult to reconcile with other developments in the economy. 

Other major economic data such as on industrial output and trade and agriculture, coupled with anecdotal evidence,

 point to an economy that is on the mend gradually and not to one that is galloping away on growth. 

That said, there is little reason to question the Survey’s conclusion that India is now in a sweet spot thanks to-

 a government that has a mandate for reform and a benign external environment that has had a favorable impact on the current account deficit (CAD) and inflation.

 Indeed, if India does achieve the projected CAD of 1 per cent in 2015-16, that would be in large part due to the falling commodity prices, particularly of crude oil.

The Survey’s projection of a 8.1-8.5 per cent GDP growth in 2015-16 is credible given the present economic environment,
 though the bets would be more on the lower end of the band. Mr. Subramanian has reiterated his advocacy for public investment to act as a booster dose.

 And, interestingly, he has picked on the Railways as the “growth locomotive”, 

arguing that reversing the cycle of under investment in the Railways can do wonders to the economy.
This ties in with this week’s Railway budget and its emphasis on long-term investment; 

in fact, it is tempting to conclude that the increase in gross budgetary support to the Railways by a third to about Rs.40,000 crore-
 is evidence of this policy in action. 

Railways could be to the Narendra Modi government what roads were to the Vajpayee administration.
The Survey has clear advice for Finance Minister Arun Jaitley: control expenditure through subsidy reduction, improve the quality of expenditure by spending more -
on investment and less on consumption and borrowing only for investment.Will Mr. Jaitley act on this in his Budget today?

Ques. 1 Which of the following is not the significant highlight of the economic survey?

(a) It infuse the hope of revival of the Indian Economy.

(b) The Direct benefit transfer schemes will ensure plugging of leaking funds.

(c) Government will control the expenditure in Railway.

(d) Austerity measures will be adopted by Govenrment.

(e) None of these

Ques. 2 What can be the reason for the reversal of cycle of under investment in Indian Railway?

Ques. 3 Why Arvind Subramaniam is skeptical about India GDP growth rate?

Ques.  4 Which external factors had a favourable impact on CAD and how?

Ques. 5 What measures Economic Survey suggested to the Finance Minister of India?

Directions:  Which of the following words is most opposite in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage?

Ques. 6 Anecdotal 

(a) abstract

(b) informal 

(c) unreliable

(d) unscientific

(e) based on hearsay

Ques. 7 Benign

(a) harmless

(b) safe

(c) adverse

(d) white

(e) inoffensive

Ques. 8 Reiterated

(a) duplicate

(b) repeat

(c) reprise

(d) redo

(e) new

ANSWERS
1. (c)
6. (a)
7. (c)
8. (e)