In a study, it was found that in Tamil Nadu, 90 per cent of the people living in rural areas used a ration shop, whereas in West Bengal only 35 per cent of rural people did so. Where would people did better off and why?
People in Tamil Nadu would be better off compared to those in West Bengal. This is because 90 per cent of the rural population in Tamil Nadu uses ration shops, indicating that the Public Distribution System (PDS) functions well in the state.
As mentioned in the context, in states where the PDS functions well, the health and nutritional status of people is likely to be better. Ration shops provide essential goods at subsidized rates, ensuring food security for the rural population.
In contrast, only 35 per cent of rural people in West Bengal use ration shops, suggesting weaker implementation of PDS. This means fewer people have access to subsidized food grains, which affects their overall well-being. Therefore, Tamil Nadu demonstrates better development in terms of public facilities.
Explanation
The textbook context clearly establishes a link between well-functioning PDS and better health/nutritional outcomes. Since Tamil Nadu has significantly higher usage of ration shops (90% vs 35%), it indicates better implementation of public facilities, leading to improved well-being for its rural population.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Compare PDS usage - Tamil Nadu (90%) vs West Bengal (35%)
Step 2: Apply the principle from context - states with better PDS have better health and nutritional status
Step 3: Conclude that Tamil Nadu is better off due to superior public facilities