Poverty Alleviation Programmes – Past & Present
🟠 Topic 87: Poverty Alleviation Programmes – Past & Present
📌 Introduction
Poverty alleviation has been at the core of India’s development agenda since Independence. Despite high economic growth in recent decades, poverty remains a significant challenge, especially in rural areas and among vulnerable communities. Successive governments have launched targeted programmes to address different dimensions of poverty — income poverty, human development deficits, and social exclusion.
Over time, poverty alleviation strategies evolved from dole-based relief to self-employment, skill development, direct benefit transfers, and comprehensive social security.
🔹 Understanding Poverty in India
📖 Definition
Poverty refers to the inability to secure minimum basic needs — food, clothing, shelter, education, and healthcare — essential for a dignified life.
Types of Poverty
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Absolute Poverty | Income below a defined poverty line (Tendulkar/Multidimensional). |
| Relative Poverty | Economic inequality compared to others in society. |
| Chronic Poverty | Persistent poverty across generations. |
| Urban/Rural Poverty | Specific challenges linked to location and services. |
Poverty Trends in India (Chart)
Year Poverty Rate (%)
2004-05 37.2
2011-12 21.9
2022 (est) ~12-15 (multidimensional poverty)
- Significant reduction after economic reforms, but regional disparities remain.
- Rural poverty is higher than urban poverty.
- COVID-19 increased vulnerability, reversing some gains.
🔹 Phases of Poverty Alleviation Programmes
1️⃣ Early Phase (1950s-1970s) – Basic Needs & Rural Development
- Focused on rural infrastructure, food security, and community development.
- Key Programmes: ✔️ Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) – Self-employment promotion.
✔️ Minimum Needs Programme (MNP) – Basic education, health, drinking water.
2️⃣ Targeted Poverty Alleviation (1980s-1990s)
- Shift to targeted schemes for specific groups.
- Key Programmes: ✔️ Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP).
✔️ Self-Employment Programme for Urban Poor (SEPUP).
✔️ Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA).
3️⃣ Post-Reforms Era (2000s onwards)
- Focus on right-based approach, social security, and direct benefit transfers.
- Key Programmes: ✔️ Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
✔️ National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM).
✔️ Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
✔️ National Food Security Act (NFSA).
4️⃣ Current Era – Digital & Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT)
- Leverages technology for targeted delivery.
- Emphasis on: ✔️ Aadhaar-seeded benefits.
✔️ Jan Dhan Accounts.
✔️ Digital Platforms for Social Security (NSAP, PM-KISAN).
🔹 Key Poverty Alleviation Programmes – Present Focus
1️⃣ Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
✔️ Provides 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households.
✔️ Focus on asset creation — water conservation, rural roads.
✔️ Emphasis on women’s participation and transparency through social audits.
Impact: Significant in reducing rural poverty, improving food security.
2️⃣ Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM)
✔️ Promotes self-employment through women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
✔️ Provides bank linkages, skill development, and livelihood diversification.
Impact: Enhanced women’s income, social capital, and entrepreneurship.
3️⃣ Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
✔️ Provides subsidised housing for urban and rural poor.
✔️ Ensures access to water, sanitation, and electricity under Housing for All.
Impact: Improved living standards, asset creation for poor families.
4️⃣ National Food Security Act (NFSA)
✔️ Provides subsidised food grains to 75% rural and 50% urban population.
✔️ Covers priority households and Antyodaya families.
Impact: Food security, reduced hunger and malnutrition.
5️⃣ Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
✔️ Zero-balance bank accounts for all.
✔️ Linked to Aadhaar for DBT of subsidies.
✔️ Provides access to insurance and credit.
Impact: Enhanced financial inclusion and social security.
🔹 Sectoral Approaches to Poverty Reduction
| Sector | Approach |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Minimum Support Price (MSP), PM-KISAN |
| Health | Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY), Poshan Abhiyaan |
| Education | Mid-Day Meal, Samagra Shiksha |
| Skilling | PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), DDU-GKY |
Case Study – Kerala’s Poverty Alleviation Model
- Focus on: ✔️ Universal education and healthcare. ✔️ Women’s empowerment through Kudumbashree SHGs. ✔️ Social welfare pensions.
- Result: Among the lowest poverty rates in India.
🔹 Challenges in Poverty Alleviation
1️⃣ Urbanising Poverty
✔️ Rising slum populations. ✔️ Limited affordable housing and social services in cities.
2️⃣ Targeting Errors
✔️ Exclusion of eligible households.
✔️ Inclusion of non-poor due to flawed databases.
3️⃣ Leakage & Corruption
✔️ Diversion of funds in public works schemes.
✔️ Rent-seeking in subsidy delivery.
4️⃣ Low Social Security Coverage
✔️ Informal workers lack pension, insurance, and health cover.
5️⃣ Climate Vulnerability
✔️ Natural disasters disproportionately affect poor households.
✔️ Loss of livelihoods leads to cyclical poverty.
🔹 Way Forward – Poverty Alleviation 2.0
✔️ Use of real-time data (Aadhaar-linked socioeconomic databases).
✔️ Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to eliminate leakages.
✔️ Promotion of rural entrepreneurship and skill diversification.
✔️ Focus on green livelihoods and climate-resilient agriculture.
✔️ Strengthen social safety nets for informal workers.
📚 Practice MCQs
1️⃣ Which of the following programmes guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households?
✅ Options:
(a) PM-KISAN
(b) MGNREGA
(c) NRLM
(d) PM-JAY
2️⃣ The National Food Security Act (NFSA) covers which segments?
- Priority households
- Antyodaya households
- All rural households
✅ Options:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
3️⃣ Which scheme focuses on women-led self-help groups (SHGs) for rural livelihoods?
✅ Options:
(a) PM-JDY
(b) DAY-NRLM
(c) PMAY-G
(d) PM-KISAN
