Q : Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing.’ Explain by giving reasons. ( 2018 PYQ, 10 Marks )

Q : Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing.’ Explain by giving reasons.  ( 2018 PYQ, 10 Marks )

Introduction :

Though India has witnessed rapid economic growth and poverty alleviation schemes since Independence, over 10% of Indians (NITI Aayog, 2023) still live in multidimensional poverty, reflecting a gap between policy intent and on-ground outcomes.

Main Body 

Problems in Policy Design Top-Down Approach:

1. Many anti-poverty programmes were designed centrally with limited local context — e.g.,
• Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) failed due to uniform guidelines ignoring regional disparities.
2. Targeted vs. Universal Dilemma:
• BPL-based targeting often excluded deserving beneficiaries — Public Distribution System (PDS) initially missed large sections of poor due to faulty identification.
3. Fragmented Scheme Structure:
• Multiple overlapping schemes like NRLM, PMEGP, MGNREGS caused duplication, reducing efficiency.
4. Short-Term Relief Orientation:
• Policies often focus on income support rather than capability enhancement — PM-KISAN gives direct transfers but doesn’t improve long-term productivity.
5. Urban Bias in Development Planning:
• Economic reforms favored urban-industrial growth over rural livelihoods, widening rural-urban poverty divide.

 Problems in Implementation 

1. Leakages and Corruption:
• Funds diversion and ghost beneficiaries reduced impact — seen in PDS leakages before Aadhaar-linked reforms.
2. Weak Institutional Coordination:
• Poor inter-departmental coordination led to delayed execution — Housing for All faced delays due to land and local approval issues.
3. Lack of Community Participation:
• Beneficiaries were treated as passive recipients, not active stakeholders — leading to poor ownership in Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana.
4. Inadequate Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Absence of robust real-time data led to policy lag — earlier poverty line estimates based on outdated NSSO data ignored changing consumption patterns.
5. Socio-Structural Barriers:
• Caste, gender, and regional inequalities limited equitable access — e.g., SC/ST households remain overrepresented among the poor despite welfare schemes.

Way Forward : 

                    Poverty Alleviation 

                                   │

        ┌──────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────┐

        │                          │                          │

 Sustainable Livelihoods             Inclusive Growth                                    Governance Reforms

 (Skill India, NRLM)                (Focus on rural economy)                           (Digitization, DBT)

        │                          │                          │

 Human Capital Development   Localised Planning                      Social Empowerment

 (Education, Health)               (Decentralisation, PRI)                   (Women & marginalised)

        │                          │                          │

          └────────────→ Long-term Capability Enhancement ←────────────┘

Conclusion :

As Amartya Sen’s capability approach suggests, true poverty eradication lies not in income transfers alone but in expanding people’s real freedoms and social opportunities, ensuring growth translates into genuine human development.