03 Poverty as a
Challenge
Two Typical Cases of Poverty
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From the cases of Ramsaran and Lakha Singh we understand
that poverty means hunger and lack of shelter.
It also is a situation in which parents are not able to send their
children to school or a situation where sick people cannot
afford treatment.
Poverty also means lack of clean water and sanitation
facilities.
Poverty as seen by social scientists
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scientists Social measure poverty using many indicators like
the levels of income and consumption, illiteracy level, lack of
general resistance due to malnutrition, lack of access to
healthcare, lack of job opportunities, lack of access to safe
drinking water, sanitation.
Social exclusion
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Social exclusion is a process in which poor people are barred
from enjoying certain basic facilities, benefits and
opportunities that the rich enjoy.
Vulnerability
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Vulnerability describes the increasing probability of certain
backward communities or individuals of becoming of
remaining poor in coming years.
Poverty line
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In India, the poverty line is defined by a minimum level of
food, clothing, footwear, fuel and light, educational and
medical requirements.
The present formula for food requirement while estimating the
poverty line is based on the desired calorie requirement.
The poverty line was fixed at Rs 816 per month for rural areas
and Rs 1000 per month in urban areas in 2011-12.
Poverty Estimates
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The poverty ratios in India have declined from 45% in 199394 to 37.2% in 2004-05.
In 2011-12, there were 22% people below poverty line.
The number of poor people decreased from 470 million in
2004-05 to 270 million in 2011-12.
The average annual decline was 2.2% during 2004-05 to
2011-12.
Vulnerable Groups
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Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe are most vulnerable to
poverty, among social groups.
Rural agricultural labour households and urban casual labour
households are most vulnerable among the economic groups.
Inter-state Disparities
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A secular decline has been observed in state level poverty
from the early 1970s.
However, the success rate varies between states.
Global Poverty Scenario
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In developing countries the proportion of people living in
extreme economic poverty has decreased from 35% in 1990 to
10.68% in 2013.
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Rapid economic growth and huge investments in human
resource development were made in China and Southeast
Asian countries that witnessed substantial decline in poverty.
Causes of Poverty
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In India, poverty propagated due to failure of economic
growth and population control.
Growth rate of per capita income was quite low.
Poverty spread to urban areas in addition to rural areas.
Huge income inequality is another cause of high poverty rates.
Anti-poverty measures
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The present strategy for eliminating poverty is based on
promotion of economic growth and targeted anti-poverty
programmes.
Some significant anti-poverty programmes are:
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act,
2005
Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana (PMRY)
Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP)
Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)
Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yozana (PMGY)
Antyodaya Anna Yozana (AAY)
The Challenges Ahead
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Rural and urban areas and even various states show
widespread differences in poverty.
Some social and economic groups are still more vulnerable to
poverty.
Improvements would result from economic growth, universal
free elementary education, declining population growth,
increasing empowerment of women and economically weaker
sections of society.
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Poverty would be eradicated only when challenges like low
income, inadequate healthcare, education and job security and
gender disparity and disrespect for the poor are overcome.