Question

List out the measures taken by the government to eradicate poverty.

Answer 1

Removal of poverty has one of the major objectives of Indian development strategy. The current government strategy of poverty alleviation is based on two planks:
(i) Promotion of economic growth
(ii) Targeted anti-poverty programs

(i)Since the eighties, India's economic growth has been one of the fastest in the world. The growth rate jumped from the average of about 3.5 % a year in the 1970s to about 6% during the 1980s and 1990s.The higher growth rates have helped significantly in the reduction of poverty. Therefore , it is becoming clear that there is a strong link between economic growth and poverty reduction . Economic growth widens opportunities and provides the resources needed to invest in human development . This also encourages people to send their children's , including the girl child, to schools in the hope of getting better economic returns from investing in education.

(ii)Some the of the anti poverty programmes undertaken by government at present are discussed below:
• Prime Minister's Rozgar Yojana (PMRY) -
It is started in 1993, this program used to create self employment opportunities for educated unemployed youth in rural areas and small towns.
• Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY)-
Launched in 2000, this aims to create and improve basic services like Primary Health, primary education ,rural shelter, rural drinking water and rural electrification.
• National Food For Work Programme (NFWP)-
Launched in 2004 in 150 most backward district of the country, this program is open to all rural poor who are in need of ways employment and desire to do manual unskilled work.
• National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)-
This Act was passed in September 2005 the act provides 100 days assured employment every year to every rural households in 200 districts. Later, the scheme will be extended to 600 districts and also one third to the proposed jobs would be reserved for women.