UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies

Question 11: Economy and Social Development

Among other things, which one of the following was the purpose for which the Deepak Parekh Committee was constituted?

aTo study the current socio-economic conditions of certain minority communities

bTo suggest measures for financing the development of infrastructure

cTo frame a policy on the production of genetically modified organisms

dTo suggest measures to reduce the fiscal deficit in the Union Budget

AnswerThe answer is (b).

The Deepak Parekh Committee was a high-level committee led by HDFC's Deepak Parekh to suggest ways of financing infrastructure development, including raising long-term funds and drawing in private capital. It was not about minority communities (the Sachar Committee), genetically modified organisms or fiscal deficit reduction (the Kelkar Committee). Remember Parekh with infrastructure finance.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) That is the Sachar Committee's job, on the condition of Muslims and other minorities.
(b) Right: the committee looked at financing infrastructure development.
(c) GM policy was not the subject of this committee.
(d) Fiscal consolidation was the work of other bodies, such as the Kelkar Committee.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.