Q. With reference to the Economic Survey 2024-25, consider the following statements:
1.It encourages the rapid shutdown of coal-fired plants to reach net zero emissions by the year 2070.
2.Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the top drivers of job creation in India.
3.There has been an increase in the Female Labor Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) due to the increasing participation of women in rural India’s workforce.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Explanations –
Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect. The Economic Survey 2024-25 opposes rapid shutdowns of coal-fired plants, citing India’s reliance on coal for energy security and development. It emphasizes that coal remains critical due to newer infrastructure (most coal plants built in the 2010s) and the absence of reliable alternatives. The focus is on gradual transition through renewable energy expansion, grid upgrades, and advanced coal technologies, not abrupt shutdowns. While MSMEs employ 23.24 crore people (second only to agriculture), the Survey clarifies that agriculture remains the largest employer, particularly in rural areas.
Statement 3 is correct. The FLFPR surged from 23.3% (2017-18) to 41.7% (2023-24), driven predominantly by rural women. The rural FLFPR nearly doubled from 24.6% to 47.6%, attributed to government initiatives like skill development, entrepreneurship programs, and grassroots economic empowerment.
Source: The Hindu
