Which of the following three statements regarding famines are correct?

(A) In 1880, the Government of Lord Lytton appointed Strachey Commission.
(B) Lord Curzon appointed a Commission under the presidency of Sir Anthony MacDonnell, which submitted its report in 1901.
(C) The Famine of 1876-78 affected Madras, Bombay, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab.
(D) The Famine of 1866 affected Rajputana, the Punjab, Central Provinces, and Berar and Marathwada.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

Statement A is true: The Strachey Commission was appointed by Lord Lytton in 1880 to investigate famine causes and suggest reforms.
Statement B is true: The commission under Lord Curzon and Sir Anthony MacDonnell, set up in 1901, also examined the causes and relief of famines.
Statement C is true: The famine of 1876-78 had a wide-reaching impact, particularly affecting Madras, Bombay, and other areas.
Statement D is false: The famine of 1866 had affected the coastal regions of Orissa.

Information Booster:

Strachey Commission (1880): It was established by Lord Lytton's government in response to the devastating famines, and its findings led to a more organized famine relief policy. Commission recommended adjusting wages from time to time to provide sufficient food for a labourer’s support. Secondly, it should be the duty of the state to provide gratuitous relief to the poor and list the category of persons entitled to receive it. It made suggestions regarding suspensions and remissions of land revenue and rents. The cost of famine relief was to be borne by the provincial governments. However, central assistance was to be made available whenever necessary. The Government accepted in general, and commission's recommendation and steps were taken for the creation of a famine fund.In 1883, the provisional famine code was formulated which formed a guide to and basis for the provincial famine codes.

Curzon's Commission (1901): The commission under Lord Curzon focused on improving famine relief and investigating the underlying causes of famines.

Famine of 1876-78: It was one of the most severe famines in Indian history, affecting large swathes of India, especially in southern and western regions. Affected Madras, Bombay, Uttar Pradesh & Punjab and about 5 million people perished in a year. The Government made half-hearted efforts to help the famine stricken. In 1880, Lytton appointed a commission under Richard Strachey to formulate general principles and suggest measures of preventive or protective character.

Famine of 1866: The Orissa famine of 1866, also known as the Na Anka Durbhikshya, was a devastating event that ravaged coastal Odisha, leading to the death of a third of its population. The famine was attributed to a combination of factors, including failed paddy harvests, inadequate rice import infrastructure, and supply chain failures. The British administration's response was considered inadequate, highlighting issues with the Bengal administration's neglect of Orissa's development.