What is the most logical, rational and crucial message that is implied in the above passage?
PASSAGE
Vast numbers of Indian citizens without bank accounts live in rural areas, are financially and functionally illiterate, and have little experience with technology. A research study was conducted in a particular area in which electronic wage payments in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) are meant to go directly to the poor. It was observed that recipients often assume that the village leader needs to mediate the process, as was the case under the previous paper-based system. Among households under this research study area who claimed to have at least one bank account, over a third reported still receiving MGNREGS wages in cash directly from a village leader.
What is the most logical, rational and crucial message that is implied in the above passage?
(a) MGNREGS should be extended only to those who have a bank account.
(b) The paper-based system of payments is more efficient than electronic payment in the present scenario.
(c) The goal of electronic wage payments was not to eliminate mediation by village leaders. (d) It is essential to provide financial literacy to the rural poor.
2 Answers
(d) (a) is wrong as it is out of context of the passage. Further extended MGNREGS only to those who have a bank account would go against the very essence of the scheme.
(b) is wrong in spite of the paper-based system of payments being more efficient than electronic payment system. This is not the main message of the passage.
(c) is wrong as it negates the fact mentioned in the passage. Refer the second sentence which says, 'electronic wage payments in MGNREGS are meant to go directly to the poor.'
(d) is absolutely correct as the opening sentence clearly says that citizens living in rural areas, are financially illiterate. So it is essential to provide financial literacy to the rural poor.
(d) The passage clearly talks about the high inflation in India and its inability to contain it due to the innumerable external factors which are a result of the economic reforms. So (d) is correct.
(a) is wrong as it talks about avoiding all trade liberalisation policies and all subsidies which is more of a solution of the problem of inflation but not a message of the passage.
(b) is wrong as it talks about reasons for India's nonreadiness to take up the trade liberalisation process. It is out of scope of the passage
(c) is wrong as the passage does not talk about poverty at all.