खालील विधाने विचारात घ्या.
a. प्रा.एच.डब्लू. सिंगर यांनी म्हटले आहे की लोकसंख्या वाढीचा आर्थिक विकासाच्या दरावर सकारात्मक परिणाम होतो.
b. प्रा. लिबेन्स्टाईन, लोकसंख्या वाढीचा दर दरडोई उत्पन्नाचा एक महत्वाचा निर्धारक मानतात.
वरीलपैकी कोणते/ती विधान/ने योग्य आहे/त ?

The correct answer is Option C (Only b is correct).

Key Points:
• Economic Theories on Population Growth:
• Prof. H.W. Singer's View (Statement a): Hans Singer, a prominent development economist, generally highlighted the challenges posed by rapid population growth in developing nations. He argued that population growth acts as an obstacle to economic development because it requires a huge amount of "demographic investment" just to maintain the current standard of living, thereby absorbing capital that could have been used for productive economic growth. Thus, he viewed its effect mostly as negative, not positive. Statement 'a' is incorrect.
• Prof. Harvey Leibenstein's View (Statement b): Leibenstein is famous for his "Critical Minimum Effort Theory". In this theory, he explains the relationship between population growth and per capita income. He posits that underdeveloped economies are trapped in a vicious cycle where a small rise in per capita income leads to a rise in population (the "population-shock" or "income-depressing force"), which pushes per capita income back down. Thus, he treats the rate of population growth as a vital determinant of per capita income. Statement 'b' is correct.
• Key Takeaway: Singer viewed population growth as a hurdle demanding 'demographic investment'. Leibenstein's Critical Minimum Effort theory explicitly links population growth as a depressing force on per capita income.