POVERTY

Poverty- absolute  and  relative;  Main  programmes  for  poverty  alleviation:  A  critical assessment; 

Poverty - refers to a state in which an individual is unable to fulfill even the basic necessities of life. 

Relative Poverty - It refers to poverty of people in comparison to other people, regions or nations.

Absolute Poverty - It means the inability to arrange for the basic human needs. Such as food, clothing, health facilities, housing, etc.

Poverty Line -

The government use Monthly Per Capita

Expenditure (MPCE) to determine poverty line. 

Rs 454 per person per month in urban areas and Rs 328 per persona per month in rural areas

2400 calories per person per day intake in rural areas and 2100 calories per person per day intake in urban areas.

Key Differences Between Absolute and Relative Poverty

The difference between absolute and relative poverty can be drawn clearly on the given grounds:

1.Absolute poverty is one in which the income  is below the defined level. On the other hand, relative poverty refers to the person’s way of life, which is comparatively below than the minimum acceptable standard of living in the society or region.

2.Absolute poverty represents poverty with respect to the minimum level of income . Conversely, relative poverty indicates the economic status of a person in comparison to others in society.

3.Absolute poverty remains consistent over time. As against, relative poverty, changes over time.

4.Absolute poverty can be measured with the help of the poverty line. In contrast, relative poverty can be measured through the Gini Coefficient and Lorenz Curve.

5.Eradication of relative poverty is possible, but it is not in the case of absolute poverty.

6.Absolute poverty is a common issue in developing countries. As opposed to relative poverty, is mainly found in a developed country.

Poverty Alleviation Programme

                    

                   

1.Prime minister‟s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY):- This program aims at creating self-employment opportunities in rural
areas & small towns. Under this program, educated un-employed from low-income families in rural & urban areas can get financial assistance in the form of bank loans, to set up any kind of enterprise that generates employment.
2.SwarnaJayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY):- SJSRY, initiated in December 1997  SJRY mainly aims at creating employment
opportunities for both self-employment & wage-employment in urban areas.
3.SwarnaJayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY):- SGSY is a self-employment program, launched with effect from April 1999. It aims at promoting micro enterprises by organizing them into Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Under this programme, people who wish to benefit from this scheme are encouraged to form self-help groups (SHG).
4.Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY):- The scheme was launched with effect from September 2001.The scheme aims at providing wage employment in rural areas & food security.
5.Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act - (MGNREGA)
- Under this Act, all those who are willing to
work at the minimum wage are offered work
for a minimum period of 100 days.
6.Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY):- This programme was introduced with the objective of focusing on village level development in five critical areas:-
i. Health
ii. Primary Education
iii. Drinking water
iv. Housing & rural roads
v. Improving quality of life of people in rural areas.
7.National Social Assistance Program (NSAP):- NSAP was introduced on 15th August 1995 for social assistance benefit to poor house hold affected by old age, death, primary bread earner & maternity care.

Minimum Needs program :-
Programmers under this approach are expected to supplement the consumption of the poor. 3 major programs that aims at improving the food & nutritional status of poor are:-
i. Public distribution system
ii. integrated child development scheme
iii. mid day meal scheme

Why are employment generation programmes important in poverty alleviation in India?

(i) Direct Relationship between Employment and Poverty Alleviation
(ii) Higher Standard of Living
(iii) Reduce Rural-Urban Migration
(iv) Creation of Durable Assets
(v) Self-sufficiency and Self-reliant Areas
(vi) Impart and Enhance Skills
(vii) Reduce underemployment and disguised unemployment

Criticism against the Poverty Alleviation Programmes (PAPs)

The PAPs have been found unsatisfactory because of the following reasons-
a.Lack of Resources
b.Improper implementation
c. Lack of Interest,
d. Poor targeting,
e.Lack of Accountability,
f.Chain of mediators