UP PCS Mains-2024

Approach Start by giving the definition of poverty. Identify the causes of poverty. Show how social empowerment is linked to poverty alleviation. Highlight the government’s steps to deal with poverty. Conclude by giving suggestions.

Introduction

Poverty is more than the lack of basic amenities in terms of food and shelter. Its manifestations include hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and health services, social discrimination and exclusion, as well as the lack of participation in decision-making.

According to National Multidimensional Poverty Index by NITI Ayog, 11.03 percent of the population of India is multidimensionally poor while in Uttar Pradesh, 22.93 percent of population is multidimensionally poor. It means they do not have access to basic health, education and standard of living.

Body

Causes of Poverty in India:

• Population Explosion: India is now the world’s most populous country which puts stress on the available natural resources.
• Low Agricultural Productivity: A major reason for poverty is the low productivity in the agriculture sector. It is because of fragmented and subdivided land holdings, lack of capital, lack of information about new technologies in farming and the use of traditional methods of cultivation.
• Low Rate of Economic Development: Economic development has been low in India especially in the first 40 years of independence before the LPG reforms in 1991.
• Unemployment: It is another factor causing poverty in India. The ever-increasing population has led to a higher number of job-seekers. However, there is not enough expansion in opportunities to match this demand for jobs.
• Social Factors: Apart from economic factors, there are also social factors hindering the eradication of poverty in India. Some of the hindrances in this regard are the laws of inheritance, caste system, certain traditions, etc.
• Climatic induced Poverty: Most of India’s poor belong to the states of Bihar, UP, MP, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, etc. Natural calamities such as frequent floods, disasters and cyclone cause heavy damage to agriculture in these states.
• Lack of Skills: Most of the poor are not able to participate in the emerging employment opportunities in different sectors of the urban economy as they do not have the necessary knowledge and skills to do so.

Social empowerment of the disadvantaged section is needed to eradicate poverty. Social empowerment is important because:

• It is an agent of social and economic change.
• It allows being an active participant rather than a passive recipient of government welfare schemes.
• It promotes participation in decision-making.
• It gives autonomy to make life choices.
• It provides equality of opportunity.

To empower the poor socially, following poverty alleviation programs have been taken up:

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005: It provides 100 days assured employment every year to every rural household.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: It was launched in 2015 to encourage and promote skill development in the country by providing free short duration skill training and incentivizing this by providing monetary rewards to youth for skill certification.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana: It aimed at direct benefit transfer of subsidy, pension and insurance. The scheme particularly targets the unbanked poor and thus promotes financial inclusion.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: It aims to provide housing for all poor.
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: It is a flagship scheme with an objective to make clean cooking fuel such as LPG available to the rural and deprived households.
• PM Kisan Samman Nidhi: It aims to provide income support up to ₹6000 to all the farmers.
• One Nation One Ration Card: This system allows all National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries, particularly migrant beneficiaries, to claim either full or partial foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) in the country through existing ration card with biometric/Aadhaar authentication in a seamless manner.
• Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman or PM-POSHAN: The objective of the scheme is to improve the nutritional status of children in Government and Government aided schools.
• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: The aim of this scheme is to help the poor fight the battle against Covid-19.
• Ayushmaan Bharat Yojana: It provides health coverage up to 5 lakh rupees per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.

Conclusion

It is the duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health under Article 47. The government should act promptly on minimizing subsidies and increasing targeted cash transfers, which is an effective mechanism for supporting poor and vulnerable groups. A well-structured approach to social welfare can help create a more inclusive and resilient society