Notes on Poverty as a Challenge
### Summary and Key Points
#### Overview
- Poverty is a major challenge in independent India.
- Around 270 million people lived in poverty in 2011-12, representing
about 22% of the population.
- Poverty is not only about income but also lack of access to
education, healthcare, and basic amenities.
#### Case Studies: Two Examples of Poverty
1. **Urban Poverty (Ram Saran):**
- A daily-wage laborer earning Rs. 1,500 monthly, insufficient to
support his family of six.
- Lives in substandard housing with no healthcare access; his
children are unable to attend school.
- Highlights hunger, malnutrition, and the absence of opportunities.
2. **Rural Poverty (Lakha Singh):**
- A landless laborer with erratic income, often paid in kind.
- Lives in a temporary hut with no consistent access to food or
education.
- Lack of healthcare led to his father's death from TB.
#### Poverty as Seen by Social Scientists
- Social scientists use a mix of income, consumption, and social
indicators like illiteracy, malnutrition, and access to services.
- **Social Exclusion:** Poverty as exclusion from societal benefits
and opportunities.
- **Vulnerability:** Certain groups (e.g., SC/ST, widows, the disabled)
are at a higher risk of poverty due to systemic disadvantages.
#### Poverty Line
- Defined based on the minimum income required to meet basic
needs.
- In 2011-12, the poverty line was Rs. 816 per month in rural areas and
Rs. 1,000 in urban areas.
- Uses calorie intake as a metric: 2400 calories/day in rural areas and
2100 calories/day in urban areas.
#### Trends and Estimates
- Poverty declined from 45% in 1993-94 to 22% in 2011-12.
- However, certain states like Bihar and Odisha still report high
poverty levels, whereas states like Kerala and Punjab show
significant progress.
#### Global Perspective
- Global poverty has declined significantly but remains concentrated
in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
- Rapid economic growth and investment in human resources have
helped reduce poverty in China and Southeast Asia.
#### Causes of Poverty
- Historical exploitation during British rule.
- Low economic growth and lack of job opportunities
post-independence.
- High population growth and unequal resource distribution.
- Indebtedness due to social obligations and agricultural expenses.
#### Anti-Poverty Measures
- **Economic Growth:** Linking poverty reduction to higher growth
rates.
- **Targeted Schemes:**
- **MGNREGA (2005):** 100 days of wage employment in rural areas.
- **PMRY (1993):** Promoting self-employment for unemployed
youth.
- **SGSY (1999):** Formation of self-help groups for rural upliftment.
- **Antyodaya Anna Yozana:** Subsidized food distribution.
#### Challenges and Way Forward
- Poverty reduction has been uneven across regions and
communities.
- Emphasis on human poverty: Access to education, healthcare, and
equal opportunities.
- Future focus: Gender equality, job security, and broader definitions
of poverty.
### Key Highlights
- Poverty is a multi-dimensional issue, not limited to lack of income.
- Vulnerable groups like SC/ST and casual laborers face the highest
risk.
- Effective poverty alleviation depends on proper implementation and
monitoring of schemes.
- Broader definitions of poverty include education, gender equality,
and healthcare access.
