3. Reading Skills Comprehension: Policy

POLICY

(Bank P.O. 1994)

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 grassroots experience. The result is not just a lofty declaration of principles but a blueprint for a practical programmed 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 are 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 programmers and sensitizing 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 equal-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 sensitizing the administration as a whole, it does not make the task of its implementation any easier. This is because 5. 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. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

(a) Most of the government’s policies are formulated through a participatory process.

(b) There is a need for stricter legislation.

(d) Domestic violence is on the rise.

(e) Women already had coparcenaries rights.

2. Which of the following is true about the policy?

(a) This is another pronouncement by the government.

(b) It is a pioneering effort.

(d) It has made many big declarations.

(e) In its formulation, a participatory approach was not followed.

3. According to the passage, which of the following is a consequence of rural-urban migration?

(a) The legislation is not enforced properly.

(b) Many women migrate to urban areas leaving their family in rural areas.

(d) Development programmers are not effective.

(e) None of the above

4. Which of the following is one of the far-reaching impacts of the policy?

(a) Give women coparcenaries rights

(b) Reservation for women

(d) Accord women a decision-making role in the political sphere

(e) None of the above

5. According to the passage which of the following is not true?

(a) The policy gives a blueprint for programmed of action.

(b) The women should be given greater control of police stations.

(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.

6. Which of the following has the danger of becoming a token?

(a) Socially progressive legislation

(b) Policy for women

(d) Man-woman relationships

(e) Reservation for women

7. Which of the following is opposite in meaning to ‘lofty’ as used in the passage?

(a) Sublimated

(b) Humble

(d) Exalted

(e) Undignified

8. Which of the following words is the most opposite in meaning to ‘sweeping’ as used in the passage?

(a) Limited

(b) Half-hearted

(d) Incomplete

(e) Inconclusive

9. Which of the following is nearly the same in meaning as the word ‘devolution’ as used in the passage?

(a) Relegation

(b) Succession

(d) Decentralization

(e) Revolution

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

(d) Proclamation

(e) Recognition

11. According to the passage, which 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 the political area

(d) Creating equal-opportunity police force

(e) Enactment of socially progressive legislation

12. Which of the following is the most nearly the same in meaning to ‘callousness’ as used in the passage?

(a) Prejudice

(b) Insensitivity

(d) Casual

(e) Superiority

13. Which of the following is nearly the same in meaning to the word ‘delineates’ as used in the passage?

(a) Discusses

(b) Demarcates

(d) Outlines

(e) Propagates

14. At which stage were the grass-root level organizations involved for the policy?

(a) After the interim report

(b) From the start

(d) Not mentioned in the passage

(e) None of these

15. 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

(d) Lack of political will

(e) Male dominated law-enforcing authorities.

ANSWERS:-

1.(c) 2. (b)

3. (e ) 4. (a)

5. (b) 6. (e)

7. (e) 8. (a)

9. (d) 10. (d)

11.(b) 12. ( b )

13. (d) 14. (b)

15. (a)

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