Anti-Poverty Measures
In India, the removal of poverty has become a primary goal of the developmental strategy. The government's current anti-poverty strategy is underpinned by two main components: promotion of economic growth and targeted anti-poverty programs.
Historically, from the early 1950s to the early 1980s, India experienced stagnation in per capita income and minimal poverty reduction, with official poverty estimates remaining steady at around 45%. However, starting in the 1980s, India witnessed rapid economic growth, increasing from an average of approximately 3.5% in the 1970s to around 6% in the following two decades. This significant growth has proven to be linked tightly to poverty reduction, as it provides essential resources for investment in human development and educational opportunities, improving prospects for future generations.
Despite the promising economic growth, many poor people, especially in rural areas reliant on agriculture, have been unable to fully benefit from this progress. The agricultural sector's growth has lagged, exacerbating rural poverty.
To address these challenges, targeted anti-poverty programs have been developed, such as:
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Launched in 2005, this act aims to provide 100 days of wage employment per household in rural areas, with a focus on sustainable development.
- Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana (PMRY): Initiated in 1993, this program assists educated unemployed youth in rural areas to find self-employment opportunities.
- Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP): Launched in 1995 to create job opportunities in rural areas.
- Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY): Started in 1999, this scheme aims to uplift poor households above the poverty line by forming self-help groups.
- Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY): Launched in 2000, this plan provides additional funding for basic services in rural areas.
Though these initiatives intend to alleviate poverty, their effectiveness has been limited due to issues like proper implementation, lack of targeting, and an overlap between schemes. Consequently, recent efforts emphasize improved monitoring of poverty alleviation programs.