Question
Was there any economic drain during the colonial period? Explain.

Answer

During the colonial period there was economic drain, i.e., drain of Indian wealth, by way of the following facts.
  1. Large export surplus generated by the foreign trade during the colonial period was primarily for bearing the expenses of war fought by Britain. It was also used to maintain its administrative set up. This came at a huge cost to country's economy, as it was not used in any developmental activity of India. Many essential commodities, in turn like foodgrains, kerosene etc. were in scarce supply in the domestic market.
  2. Commercialisation of agriculture promoted the cultivation of cash crops like indigo etc. at the cost of food crops. This was the vested move of the Britishers to benefit largely by using these cash crops in their industries as raw materials in Britain.
  3. Competition from machine-made goods from Britain led to the decline of world famous Indian handicrafts. This brought about massive unemployment, poverty and misery in the country.
  4. Introduction of railways by the British also contributed to economic drain during the colonial period. Railways facilitated in turning India into a large market for the finished products of British industries.

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Read the passage given below and answer the following questions from 1 to 4.
The Centre of considering extending the free foodgrain and pulse distribution scheme, under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), for 3-4 months. This is in view of the spike in Covid cases, and also to provide relief to the millions of poor families who have suffered during the pandemic, said people in the know. For wheat, rice and pulses (notably chana), the Centre has adequate stock to provide for free until March 2021.
"Details have been sought from various agencies involved in the distribution of grains and pulses through the Public Distribution System in the first eight months of this fiscal year, and a final decision on the same is under consideration" said a senior official.
Under PMGKAY 1 and 2, which started from April and is due to end in November, the government has so far distributed an additional 5kg of wheat and rice per month to 800 million beneficiaries of the National Pood Security Act (NFSA), over their usual entitlement of 5kg of grains a month.
In addition, the government has distributed 1kg of free pulses (largely chana) to every NFSA family in the last eight months, numbering 200 million. Overall, 32 million tonnes (mt) of wheat and rice have been made available for free, alongwith 1.4 mt of pulses, a bulk of which is chana, show government estimates. Source: Business Standard, 26 Nov. 2020.
  1. The Centre has sufficient stock to provide free wheat and rice until.......... 2021.
  1. March
  2. May
  3. June
  4. April
  1. NFSA stands for...........?
  1. National Food Service Art
  2. National Food Security Act
  3. National Finance Security Act
  4. National Finance Service Act
  1. Government gives free food grains and pulses to poor families under the scheme............?
  1. PMGKAY
  2. NFSA
  3. Both [a] and [b]
  4. None of these
  1. Nutritions requirements are .......... calories per person per day in rural areas whereas.......... calories per person per day in urban areas.
  1. 2500, 2200
  2. 2400, 2100
  3. 2400, 2300
  4. None of these
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