Anti-Poverty: Definition, Types and Strategies & Measures

Anti-Poverty Measures for Sustainable Well-being

In the global effort to alleviate poverty, various anti-poverty measures have been implemented to address economic disparities and improve the well-being of vulnerable populations. These initiatives range from social welfare programs to economic empowerment strategies, collectively aiming to create sustainable solutions and uplift those in need.

Anti-Poverty Link Between Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in India

  • Over a period of thirty years lasting up to the early eighties, there was little per capita income growth and not much progress in anti-poverty reduction. 
  • Official poverty estimates which were about 45 per cent in the early 1950s remained the same even in the early eighties. 
  • 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 percent a year in the 1970s to about 6 percent 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. 

India’s Dual Strategy for Anti-Poverty Advancement

The Indian government has adopted a multifaceted approach to address and alleviate poverty in the country. 

This approach is based on two key strategies: promoting economic growth and implementing targeted anti-poverty programs.

  • Promoting Economic Growth as Anti-Poverty Measure:
    • India has experienced significant economic growth since the 1980s, with the growth rate increasing to around 6 percent annually
    • This economic growth has played a crucial role in reducing poverty by creating more employment opportunities and providing the resources needed for investment in human development, such as education and healthcare.
  • Targeted Anti-Poverty Programs: 
    • MGNREGA: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), launched in 2005, guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households.
      •  It aims to provide livelihood security, address issues like drought and deforestation, and promote sustainable development. 
      • A significant portion of these jobs is reserved for women.
  • Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana (PMRY): 
    • Started in 1993, this program targets educated unemployed youth in rural areas and small towns.
    • It assists them in setting up small businesses and industries, thereby creating self-employment opportunities.
  • Anti-Poverty Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP):
    • Launched in 1995, this program aims to create self-employment opportunities in rural areas and small towns.
  • Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY): 
    • Initiated in 1999, this program aims to bring assisted poor families above the poverty line by organizing them into self-help groups. 
    • It combines bank credit with government subsidies.
  • Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY):
    • Launched in 2000, this program provides additional central assistance to states for basic services such as primary health, primary education, rural shelter, rural drinking water, and rural electrification.
  • Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): 
    • This program is designed to provide highly subsidized food grains to the poorest of the poor. 
    • It targets households with the lowest income and food security.

Anti-Poverty Efforts in India and the Road Ahead

  • Despite these initiatives, the effectiveness of Anti-Poverty alleviation programs in India has been mixed. 
    • Challenges include improper implementation, targeting the right beneficiaries, and addressing issues of overlap among various schemes. 
  • It is crucial to ensure that the benefits of these programs reach the deserving poor.
  • Reducing poverty in India remains a complex and ongoing Anti-Poverty challenge, but these strategies and programs are essential steps toward addressing the issue and improving the living conditions.

Anti-Poverty Comprehensive Strategies for Addressing Poverty in India

  • Anti-Poverty Strategies for Addressing Poverty in India: Addressing poverty in India requires comprehensive strategies including policies aimed at economic development and employment generation
  • Key Factors in Long-Term Poverty Reduction: Addressing income inequality and promoting sustainable economic growth are essential for long-term poverty reduction.
  • Anti-Poverty Beyond Income: Many scholars argue for a broader concept of Anti-Poverty, often referred to as “human poverty,” which takes into account various dimensions beyond just income.
    • Human poverty considers factors like education, shelter, healthcare, job security, self-confidence, freedom from discrimination, and more. 
  • Evolving Definitions of Poverty with Socio-Economic Development:  As societies develop and standards of living improve, the definition of what constitutes poverty evolves.

Conclusion

  • Eradicating poverty is a dynamic process, and the target continually shifts. 
  • While providing a minimum necessary income to all is an important Anti-Poverty goal, there are larger challenges ahead, such as ensuring access to healthcare, education, and job security for all, as well as achieving gender equality and dignity for the poor. 
  • These challenges require sustained  Anti-Poverty efforts and a holistic approach to addressing the multifaceted nature of poverty in India.

Glossary

  • Anti-Poverty Marginal Propensity to Consume (MPC): It is the change in consumption per unit change in income. It is denoted by c and is equal to C /   Y.
  • Marginal Propensity to Save (MPS): It is the change in savings per unit change in income. It is denoted by s and is equal to 1−c. It implies that s + c = 1.
  • Anti-Poverty Average Propensity to Consume (APC): It is the consumption per unit of income i.e., C / Y.
  • Average Propensity to Save (APS): It is the savings per unit of income i.e., S / Y. 
  • Poverty Line: 
    • The poverty line is a threshold below which individuals or families are considered to be living in poverty. 
    • It is often defined in terms of a minimum level of income or consumption necessary to meet basic needs.
  • Per Capita Income: 
    • Per capita income is the average income earned by each individual in a specific area (such as a country or region) over a given period, usually a year. 
    • It is calculated by dividing the total income of the area by its population.
  • Anti-Poverty Head Count Ratio (HCR): The head count ratio is a measure of poverty that represents the proportion of a population living below the poverty line.
  • Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST): 
    • These are social groups in India that have historically faced social and economic disadvantages due to discrimination. 
    • Special provisions and affirmative action programs are designed to uplift these groups.
  • Rural Agricultural Laborers: These are individuals who work as wage laborers in agricultural activities, often on a daily or seasonal basis, without owning land.
  • Urban Casual Laborers: Urban casual laborers are individuals who work in cities or urban areas on a temporary or intermittent basis, often in low-paying and informal jobs.
  • Green Revolution: The Green Revolution refers to a series of initiatives and technological advancements in agriculture that led to increased crop yields and food production, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s.
  • Debt Indebtedness: It refers to the state of being in debt or having financial obligations that are difficult to repay.
  • Human Poverty: 
    • Human poverty is a broader concept of poverty that extends beyond income or material well-being. 
    • It encompasses various dimensions of well-being, including education, healthcare, shelter, and social inclusion.
  • Empowerment: 
    • Empowerment refers to the process of enabling individuals or groups to gain control over their lives, make choices, and exercise their rights. 
    • In the context of poverty, it often involves increasing the capacity of marginalized communities to improve their socio-economic status.
  • Gender Equality: 
    • Gender equality is the principle of providing equal opportunities, rights, and treatment to individuals regardless of their gender.
    •  It aims to eliminate discrimination and promote fairness between genders.

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