Committees — Set 4

Correct Answer: C. Bibek Debroy Committee

• **Bibek Debroy Committee** = The Bibek Debroy Committee submitted 'Transforming the Railways' (2015), recommending separation of operations from infrastructure and private participation in train operations. • **2015** — This is considered the most comprehensive reform blueprint for Indian Railways, including corporatisation of production units. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sam Pitroda Committee (2012): addressed specific aspects of railway modernisation; Rakesh Mohan Committee (2001): addressed specific railway aspects; Wanchoo Committee: focused on black money and tax evasion.

Correct Answer: C. Securities Scam

• **Securities Scam** = The Janakiraman Committee (1992) investigated the securities scam involving Harshad Mehta and lapses in the banking system. • **Regulatory overhaul** — Its findings led to major regulatory changes in the stock market and strengthened oversight of bank receipts. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Fodder Scam: investigated by CBI under court orders; Bofors Case: investigated by separate commission; Coal Scams: investigated by CBI/CAG.

Correct Answer: A. Muslim Community

• **Muslim Community** = The Sachar Committee (2005) investigated the social, economic, and educational status of the Muslim community in India. • **Development gap** — It highlighted that the community trailed behind others in several development indicators, leading to new minority welfare policy initiatives. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Scheduled Castes: covered by SC/ST commissions; Scheduled Tribes: covered by tribal welfare commissions; Sikh Community: not the subject of this committee.

Correct Answer: C. Planning Commission Working Group

• **Planning Commission Working Group** = The proposal for the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was formulated by a Planning Commission Working Group to focus food subsidies on the poor. • **BPL/APL categorization** — It shifted the PDS from a universal system to one categorizing households as BPL (Below Poverty Line) and APL (Above Poverty Line). • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Kelkar Committee: focused on tax reforms; Sarkaria Commission: focused on centre-state relations; Lakdawala Committee: focused on poverty measurement methodology.

Correct Answer: D. Abhijit Sen

• **Abhijit Sen** = The Abhijit Sen Committee (2002) recommended a universal PDS system for a limited period to manage rising food stocks in government storage. • **Flexible procurement** — It suggested moving toward a more flexible grain procurement policy to avoid unsustainable accumulation. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Montek Singh Ahluwalia: Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, not this committee head; C. Rangarajan: headed poverty committee; S.D. Tendulkar: headed poverty estimation committee.

Correct Answer: A. Sarkaria Commission

• **Sarkaria Commission** = The Sarkaria Commission made recommendations on resolving inter-state river water disputes, suggesting a permanent tribunal mechanism. • **Permanent tribunal** — This was intended to avoid long delays and political friction in resolving disputes between states over river water sharing. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Balwant Rai Mehta Committee: focused on panchayati raj; Verma Committee: focused on weak banks; Ashok Mehta Committee: also focused on panchayati raj.

Correct Answer: D. Customer Service

• **Customer Service** = The Damodaran Committee (2011) recommended improvements in customer service standards at banks, including transparent charges and consumer protection from fraud. • **Consumer rights** — It emphasized the right of the consumer in the banking ecosystem as a key governance principle. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Digital Banking: not the focus in 2011; Branch Expansion: covered by financial inclusion committees; Asset Quality: covered by Narasimham Committee.

Correct Answer: A. Western Ghats Ecology

• **Western Ghats Ecology** = Both the Gadgil Committee (2011) and Kasturirangan Committee (2013) studied the ecological sensitivity of the Western Ghats. • **Conservation vs development** — Gadgil's report was more stringent on environmental protection while Kasturirangan offered a more balanced view between conservation and development. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Coastal Zone Management: covered by separate CRZ committees; Tiger Conservation: covered by Project Tiger and NTCA; Wetland Preservation: covered by Ramsar-related committees.

Correct Answer: B. FII Investment

• **FII Investment** = The Chandratekar Committee (1997) suggested simplifying rules for Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) to attract more foreign capital into Indian stock markets. • **Capital market integration** — This helped in the deeper integration of Indian capital markets with global markets. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Mutual Funds: covered by SEBI regulations; FDI in Retail: subject of a separate committee; Derivatives Trading: covered by L.C. Gupta Committee.

Correct Answer: C. Murasoli Maran Initiative

• **Murasoli Maran Initiative** = The SEZ policy was initially introduced by Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran in 2000, modeled after China's successful SEZs to boost exports. • **2018 review** — The Baba Kalyani Committee was later set up in 2018 to review the SEZ policy and make it more competitive. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: K. Kasturirangan Committee: focused on Western Ghats ecology; Baba Kalyani Committee: reviewed SEZ policy in 2018, did not create it; N.K. Singh Committee: focused on FRBM Act review.