SHIKHAR Mains 2023 Day 15 Model Answer - English

Updated : 24th Jun 2023

Q1: विद्युत गतिशीलता (ई-मोबिलिटी) के महत्व और भारत में विद्युत गतिशीलता (ई-मोबिलिटी) को प्रोत्साहित करने के लिए सरकार द्वारा उठाए जा रहे क़दमों की व्याख्या कीजिए। 8 marks

Explain the importance of electric mobility and the steps being taken by the government to promote electric mobility in India.

Approach:

In introduction provide a brief description of working of E-vehicles.
Further highlight the importance of electric mobility.
Finally, conclude the answer by discussing the steps taken by the government to promote electric mobility.

Answer:

Electric mobility involves using one or more electrically powered vehicles for transportation. Currently, electric-based transport provides solutions for short-distance and low-weight (with bicycles, scooters and electric motorcycles) as well as long-distance and heavy-weight travel (with electric public transport vehicles). The demand for electric vehicles in India is likely to increase due to the growing concerns about the environment.

Sales of Electric Vehicles in India have registered a growth of 20 percent in FY 2019-2020 as compared to FY 2018-19. A recent study has revealed that by 2022, the majority of consumers in India will consider buying an electric vehicle.

Importance of Electric Mobility:

The increase in the number of electric vehicles is of utmost importance for India as such vehicles are durable and profitable in the long run.
The adoption of electric vehicles will reduce crude oil imports and ensure domestic energy independence and help reduce carbon emissions.
In terms of PM 2.5 concentration, 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world are in India. The country will benefit from the adoption of EVs as it will significantly reduce vehicular emissions.
Switching to electric vehicles is an economically and environmentally viable option.
Adoption of electric vehicles will be a long term solution to keep cities clean, create new markets and skill people for new jobs towards 'Self-reliant India'.

Government Initiatives-

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020:

It is a national mission document that lays out the vision and roadmap for manufacturing and adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
The scheme is designed to enhance national fuel security, provide affordable and eco-friendly transportation and enable the Indian automotive industry to become a global manufacturing leader.
NEMMP 2020 has an ambitious target of selling 6-7 million hybrid and electric vehicles year on year from 2020 onwards.

Rapid adoption and manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles:

FAME-I:

In order to promote manufacturing and usage of electric and battery eco-friendly vehicles in the country, the Government launched the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme in 2015 with an outlay of INR 8.95 billion (USD 130 million), under which electric powered 2- and 3-wheelers, hybrids and e- Subsidies were provided for cars and buses.

FAME-II:

The government has approved Phase II of the FAME scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore for a period of 3 years commenced from 1st April 2019. Of the total budgetary support, about 86 per cent of the funds have been allocated for promotion of demand.

Incentives to generate demand for electric vehicles in the country;

The government has provided incentives for electric buses, three-wheelers and four-wheelers to be used for commercial purposes by 2022 and has set aside $135 million for setting up charging stations.
Based on the experience gained from Phase-I of the FAME India scheme, it is observed that there is a need for an adequate number of charging infrastructure for the expected outcome of the scheme, which is currently being addressed in Phase-II of the FAME scheme.

NITI Aayog's proposal:

A subsidy of $4.6 billion has been proposed by NITI Aayog for battery manufacturers.
These policies are embedded in the vision of having 30% electric vehicles on the roads by 2030.

Attracting foreign automobile companies to set up base in India:

Major Japanese automobile Suzuki Motor has formed a consortium with Japanese automotive component maker Denso and multinational conglomerate Toshiba to set up a manufacturing unit in Gujarat. The unit will manufacture lithium-ion batteries and electrodes.

Exploration of Mineral Wealth:

The Government has taken a forward-looking action by sending a high level delegation to have accurate information about the availability of Lithium and the prospects of the combined industry supplying the domestic and international markets.
The need to ensure a steady supply of lithium and cobalt prompted India's National Aluminum Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) to form a consortium called Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL). It will identify critical minerals like lithium and cobalt overseas for commercial use and to meet the domestic requirement of battery manufacturers.

Production Based Incentive (PLI):

The government's PLI scheme for Advanced Chemical Cells (ACC) with an incentive of Rs 18,000 crore is likely to boost investment.

India aims to adopt 100% electric vehicles by 2030. Several factors such as increased government support, decreasing cost of technology, country's increasing interest in electric vehicles, reducing pollution levels will collectively boost India's transition to electric vehicles and help the government to achieve its target.

Q2: गिग इकॉनमी' से आप क्या समझते हैं ? गिग इकोनामी के प्रमुख लाभों को बताते हुए इसके समक्ष आने वाली प्रमुख चुनौतियों को रेखांकित कीजिये| 12 marks

What do you understand by Gig Economy? Highlighting the major advantages of the gig economy, outline the major challenges faced by it.

Approach:

Begin the answer by defining the gig economy.
Then expand the answer by stating the benefits of gig economy.
Finally, conclude the answer by stating the challenges.

Answer:

The gig economy is defined as a free market system in which independent workers are engaged in temporary positions for short periods of time. It is also known as the "freelancer economy," the "agile workforce," the "sharing economy," or the independent workforce. In India, Delhi has emerged as the top destination for migrant workers joining India's tech-enabled gig economy.

The gig economy is mainly made up of three components-

Paid freelance workers in the gig economy (those associated with a single task or a project) are in contrast to workers who receive a wage or hourly wage.
Consumers who require a specific service, for example a ride to their next destination, or delivery of a particular item.
Companies that directly connect Majdoor to the consumer, including through an app-based technology platform.

Benefits of the gig economy:

This is the era of digitization in which people like to work comfortably anywhere. This has not only enabled the employees to do the work they love, but has also provided freedom to the employers to select the best talent available for the job. Geographical location is no longer a deterrent for tapping the available talent for a project.

Gig economy is beneficial for business houses. Big business houses can save their resources. For example, various benefits like provident fund, paid leave and office space can be saved.
The gig economy provides workers with more options, as a result, people can change their jobs several times until they find a job of their choice.
The gig economy allows workers to experiment.
The gig economy is more profitable as a person can earn extra through freelancing.
Through the gig economy, a woman can work in harmony in her personal and professional life.
The gig economy is also helpful for retirees as they reduce their dependence on their children. And it also helps in staying away from the depression of loneliness.
Start-ups that have financial constraints survive most of the time because of the benefits they accrue from freelancers and part-time workers.

Challenges facing the gig economy:

There is a lack of job security in the gig economy.
It is mostly unregulated as it results in less profit than the traditional economic system.
Gig economy employees will have to bear the cost of upgrading their professional skills. Because the company does not spend on training employees.
Workers in the gig economy can be limited at any time.
Workers are not entitled to pension, gratuity, allowances etc which are available in full time jobs.
Due to lack of stable source of income, no basis is available with the bank and financial institution for giving loan.
In this, independent mode of business and profit is given priority and the objectives of social welfare can be neglected.
Some jobs where teamwork is necessary may not require a gig economy.

Employment generation in India is meager. A section of the population is completely dependent on the gig economy. Hence there is a need for policies and a strong system to regulate the gig economy so that workers can benefit by working in this emerging economy.