Understanding Indian Government Schemes and Their Purposes

The question asks us to identify which of the given Indian government schemes is correctly matched with its intended purpose. Let's examine each option based on the actual objectives of these schemes.

Analyzing Each Scheme and Its Purpose

1. AASHA Scheme – Remunerative prices to ward boys for serving patients

   The AASHA scheme stands for Accredited Social Health Activist. AASHA workers are community health volunteers established under the National Rural Health Mission (now National Health Mission). Their primary role is to act as a link between the community and the public health system. They facilitate access to health services, promote health education, and mobilize the community on health issues, particularly focusing on women and children in rural areas. While they receive performance-based incentives for specific tasks, their role is not related to being ward boys or their payment structure.

   This matching is incorrect.

2. SAGARMALA Scheme – To regularise selling of goods at ports

   The SAGARMALA Programme is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at promoting port-led development in the country. Its main objectives include modernizing Indian ports, improving connectivity to and from ports, and developing port-linked industrial areas. It focuses on enhancing infrastructure and logistics efficiency along India's coastline and waterways. It is not related to regulating the selling of goods at ports.

   This matching is incorrect.

3. SUMAN Scheme – Free medicines to pregnant women

   The SUMAN scheme, or Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan, was launched to provide assured access to quality health care, free of cost, to every woman and newborn visiting public health facilities. This includes pregnant women. Under this scheme, beneficiaries are entitled to several free services, including at least four ante-natal check-ups, delivery services (normal and C-section), diagnostics, and yes, free drugs and consumables (medicines). Therefore, providing free medicines to pregnant women is indeed a component of the broader SUMAN scheme benefits.

   This matching is correct.

4. UJJWALA Scheme – Street lighting

   The UJJWALA scheme refers to the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. This scheme aims to provide access to LPG connections to women from households below the poverty line (BPL). The goal is to replace traditional cooking fuels (like firewood and cow dung cakes) with cleaner LPG, thereby improving the health of women and children by reducing indoor air pollution. This scheme is not related to street lighting, which falls under different initiatives.

   This matching is incorrect.

Summary of Scheme Purposes

Here is a quick comparison of the schemes, their actual purposes, and the purposes listed in the options:

Based on the analysis, the SUMAN scheme is correctly matched with its purpose among the given options, as it does provide free medicines to pregnant women as part of its comprehensive healthcare assurance.

Revision Table: Government Schemes

Additional Information: Government Schemes and Healthcare

Understanding the purposes of various government schemes is crucial for general awareness and competitive exams. Schemes like SUMAN, AASHA, and UJJWALA are important social welfare initiatives. The SUMAN scheme is part of India's efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality by ensuring access to free and quality healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. AASHA workers play a vital role in extending primary healthcare services to the grassroots level, especially in remote areas. The UJJWALA scheme addresses both environmental health (reducing indoor pollution) and economic empowerment (access to cleaner fuel). Schemes like SAGARMALA, on the other hand, focus on infrastructure development crucial for economic growth.

Studying the specific aims and target beneficiaries of each scheme helps in correctly identifying their purposes.