Comprehension
Although cynics may like to see the government’s policy for women in terms of the party’s
internal power struggles, it will nevertheless be churlish to deny that it represents a
pioneering effort aimed at bringing about sweeping social reforms. In its language, scope
and strategies, the policy document displays a degree of understanding of women’s needs
that is uncommon in government pronouncements. This is due in large part to the participatory
process that marked its formulation, seeking the active involvement right from the start of
women’s groups, academic institutions and non-government organizations with grass roots
experience. The result is not just a lofty declaration of principles hut a blueprint for a practical
programme of action. The policy delineates a series of concrete measures to accord women a
decision-making role in the political domain and greater control over their economic status.
Of especially far-reaching impact is the devolution of control of economic infrastructure to
women, notably at the gram Panchayat level, and the amendments proposed in the Hindu
Succession Act of 1956 to give women coparcenaries rights.
An enlightened aspect of the policy is its recognition that actual change in the status of
women cannot be brought about by the mere enactment of socially progressive legislation,
Accordingly, it focuses on reorienting development programmes and sensitising administrations
to address specific situations as, for instance, the growing number of Households headed by women,
which is a consequence of rural-urban migration. The proposal to create an equals opportunity police
force and give women greater control of police stations is an acknowledgement of the biases and
callousness displayed by the generally all male law-enforcement authorities in cases of dowry and
domestic violence, While the mere enunciation of such a policy has the salutary effect of sensitising
the administration as a whole, it does not make the task of its implementation any easier.
This is because the changes it envisages in the political and economic status of women
strike at the root of power structures in society and the basis of man-woman relationships.
There is also the danger that reservation for women in public life, while necessary for their
greater visibility, could lapse into tokenism or become a tool in the hands of vote seeking
politicians. Much will depend on the dissemination of the policy and the ability of elected
representatives and government agencies to reorder their priorities.
1. According to the passage which of the following is not true?
(a) The policy gives a blue print for programme of action
(b) The women should be given greater control of police stations.
(c) There is no law-enforcement bias in cases of dowry.
(d) For effective implementation, the government agencies will have to
reorder their priorities.
(e) The policy is based on the understanding of the needs of women.
Answer. (c)
2. Which of the following has the danger of becoming a token?
(a) Socially progressive legislation
(b) Policy for women
(c) Coparcenaries rights to women
(d) Man-woman relationships
(e) Reservation for women
Answer. (e)
3. Which of the following words is the most opposite in meaning to ‘sweeping’ as used in
the passage?
(a) Limited
(b) Half-hearted
(c) Acceptable
(d) Incomplete
(e) Inconclusive
Answer. (a)
4. Which of the following is opposite in meaning to ‘lofty’ as used in the passage?
(a) Sublimated
(b) Humble
(c) Inferior
(d) Exalted
(e) Undignified
Answer. (e)
5. Which of the following is true about the policy?
(a) This is another pronouncement by the government
(b) It is a pioneering effort
(c) It is not based on the understanding of women’s needs.
(d) It has made many big declarations.
(e) In its formulation, participatory approach was not followed.
Answer. (b)
6. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
(a) Most of the, government’s policies are formulated through participatory process.
(b) There is need for stricter legislation
(c) The policy recommends reservation for women.
(d) Domestic violence is on the rise
(e) Women already had coparcenaries rights.
Answer. (c)
7. According to the passage which of the following is the basic block in the effective
implementation of the policy?
(a) Prevalent power structure in society
(b) Inadequate legislation
(c) Insensitive administration
(d) Lack of political will
(e) Male dominated law-enforcing authorities.
Answer. (a)
8. Which of the following is nearly the same in meaning as the word ‘devolution’ as
used in the passage?
(a) Relegation
(b) Succession
(c) Deployment
(d) Decentralization
(e) Revolution
Answer. (d)
9. Which of the following is one of the far-reaching impacts of the policy?
(a) Give women coparcenaries rights
(b) Reservation for women
(c) Creating an equal-opportunity police force
(d) Accord women a decision, making role in political sphere
(e) None of the above
Answer. (a)
10. Which of the following words is most nearly the same in meaning as the word
‘enunciation’ as used in the passage?
(a) Suggestion
(b) Formulation
(c) Recommendation
(d) Proclamation
(e) Recognition
Answer. (d)
11. According to the passage, this of the following aspects has been identified as,
it alone would not bring change in the status of Women?
(a) Coparcenaries rights to women
(b) Decision making role in political area
(c) Greater control over economic status
(d) Creating equal-opportunity police force
(e) Enactment of socially progressive legislation
Answer. (e)
12. At which stage were the grass-root level organizations involved for the policy?
(a) After the interim report
(b) From the start
(c) At the final stages
(d) Not mentioned in the passage
(e) None of these
Answer. (b)
13. According to the passage, which of the following is a consequence of rural-urban
migration?
(a) Legislation is not enforced properly.
(6) Many women migrate to urban areas leaving their p family fin the rural areas.
(c) Industries do not get sufficient manpower in rural areas.
(d) Development programmes are not effective.
(e) None of the above.
Answer. (e)
14. Which of the following is the most nearly the same in meaning to 'callousness' as
used in the passage?
(a) Prejudice
(b) Insensitivity
(c) Obliquities
(d) Casual
(e) Superiority
Answer. (b)
15. Which of the following is nearly the same in meaning to the word 'delineates' as
Used in the passage?
(a) Discusses
(b) Demarcates
(c) Suggests
(d) Outlines
(e) Propagates
Answer. (d)
