The question asks about the price at which agricultural produce is procured in India. This refers to a specific government policy aimed at supporting farmers. We need to identify the correct term for this procurement price.
A) Minimum Support Price is the correct term. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a price fixed by the Government of India for certain agricultural products to protect the producer-farmer against excessive falls in price during bumper production years. The government procures these crops from farmers at the MSP, ensuring a minimum income for them.
The question describes a process of food procurement and distribution. It asks about the final destination of the procured food from central warehouses for further distribution based on requirements. This relates to the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India.
B) State governments — The procured food, stored in FCI warehouses, is supplied to the state governments. These state governments are then responsible for the further distribution of food grains to the beneficiaries through their PDS network, based on the requirements within their state.
The question asks to identify countries that recently (around 2018, when the question was asked) experienced severe famine, acute malnutrition, or starvation deaths due to war or ethnic conflicts. This requires knowledge of contemporary global humanitarian crises.
D) Yemen and South Sudan — Both Yemen and South Sudan were experiencing severe humanitarian crises, including widespread famine, acute malnutrition, and starvation deaths, primarily caused by ongoing civil wars and ethnic conflicts around 2018. These situations were extensively covered by international news and humanitarian reports.
The question asks about the conditions under which the Food Corporation of India (FCI) sells food grains in the open market to stabilize prices. This mechanism is known as Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) and is a key tool for managing food inflation and ensuring food security.
C) Crop failures — Crop failures directly lead to a reduction in the supply of food grains, causing their prices to rise sharply and become volatile. In such situations, the FCI intervenes by selling grains from its buffer stocks in the open market to increase supply, cool down prices, and ensure food security. This is a primary function of the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS).
The question asks to identify the entity to which farmers prefer to sell food grains, even if market prices are higher, due to its bulk procurement. This points to a government agency involved in food grain procurement and distribution for public welfare.
Correct Option: C) Food Corporation of India
The question asks for the specific month in 1992 when the 'Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS)' was launched. This requires knowledge of key government schemes and their launch dates, which is a common topic in competitive exams.
Correct Option: D) June