Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R
Assertion A: Increasing volumetric price causes substitution of surface water with groundwater.
Reason R: Area-based pricing method does not promote the use of groundwater.
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below

• A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
• B. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
• C. A is true but R is false
• D. A is false but R is true

Hint:

Volumetric pricing encourages water conservation because farmers pay for the exact quantity used. Area-based pricing encourages high water use because the marginal cost of applying additional water is zero.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Irrigation water pricing methods influence how water is used and allocated.
Volumetric pricing charges water users based on the actual volume consumed, whereas area-based pricing charges a flat rate based on the crop type and area irrigated.
Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements:
- Assertion A: If the volumetric price of canal or surface water increases, the cost per unit of surface water rises. To reduce input costs, farmers often substitute surface water with groundwater (by pumping from private tubewells), provided groundwater is cheaper or more accessible. Thus, Assertion A is correct.
- Reason R: Area-based pricing is a flat-rate system where farmers pay a fixed fee per hectare of crop. Since the marginal cost of applying more canal water is zero under this system, farmers have no financial incentive to limit their surface water use or switch to groundwater (which requires paying for electricity or diesel to pump water). Thus, area-based pricing does not promote groundwater use. This statement is correct.
However, the substitution described in Assertion A is driven by the rising cost of volumetric surface water relative to groundwater.
This is an independent economic response and is not explained by the characteristics of flat-rate area-based pricing described in Reason R.
Therefore, while both statements are true, Reason R is not the correct explanation of Assertion A.

Step 2: Final Answer:
Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A, corresponding to Option (B).