Question.
Discuss how poverty is measured in India. Examine the steps taken to overcome the rural poverty in India.
( UPPSC, UP PCS Mains General Studies-III/GS-3 2019)
Answer.
Poverty measurement in India is mainly based on income or consumption expenditure. If the income or consumption of a household falls below a given minimum level of income or consumption then the household is considered to be below the poverty line ( BPL).
Poverty estimation in India is now calculated by NITI Ayog based on data captured by the National Sample Survey Office( NSSO), which comes under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
There are two mains methods used for poverty estimation in India are:
Consumptions methods or Tendulkar Poverty line:
Economist Suresh Tendulkar has developed the poverty line by taking into account nutritional requirements and essential expenditures of individuals and households. This method finds out the monetary values of household consumption of nutrients and other consumptions. For example, under this methodology, for 2011-12, the rural poverty line was RS 816 per capita per month, and the urban poverty line was Rs 1000 per capita per month.
The poverty line is updated periodically to reflect changes in prices and consumption patterns.
Multidimensional Poverty Index ( MPI):
This method came up in the year 2011. The multidimensional Poverty line is calculated based on food consumption and expenditure on education, health, and standard of living.
As per different estimates, poverty in rural India is more than in urban areas. The government had taken many steps and is taking many initiatives to overcome the rural poverty in India. Some key initiatives are as follows;
MGNEREGA: Rural poverty is closely linked with a lack of employment opportunities. The government has initiated Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guaranteed Yojana to provide at least 100 days of employment to rural households, providing them with income and livelihood support.
Agriculture and rural development programs: Initiatives like the National Agriculture Development ( NADP) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana ( RKVY) aim to enhance agricultural productivity, provide access to credit, improve irrigation facilities, promote sustainable practices, and strengthen rural infrastructure.
Doubling Farmer income; The best way to reduce rural poverty is by increasing the farmer's income. The government has taken many initiatives like providing irrigation facilities and increasing in Minimum Support Price ( MSP) to double the farm income. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides insurance for crop losses due to any reason.
Social Welfare programs; The government has initiated many welfare programs like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for providing affordable housing to rural households, The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for providing clean cooking fuel to rural households, and the National Rural Livelihood Mission promotes self-employment and skill development.
Access to basic services; Government is providing basic services like healthcare, education, sanitation, and electricity in rural areas.
Financial inclusion; The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana promotes financial inclusion by providing bank accounts, insurance, and pension scheme to rural households.
In conclusion, Poverty in India is measured by NITI Aayog. The government has taken many steps like MGNERAGA, Doubling farmer income, financial inclusion, and proving basic access to rural households to reduce the rural poverty in India. However, some challenges such as unequal distribution of resources, and limited access to quality education and healthcare are key challenges to the reduction of rural poverty.
You may like also:
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon