Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge
Introduction
Poverty is one of the most significant challenges faced by India.
It affects millions of people and is visible in various forms, such as hunger, lack of shelter, child labor, and poor health.
As of 2011-12, about 270 million people in India lived in poverty, making India the country with the largest number of poor people.
Two Typical Cases of Poverty
Urban Poverty: Ram Saran, a daily wage laborer from Ranchi, struggles to provide for his family. Despite working hard, his family lives in a one-room shack with minimal food and no access to education or healthcare.
Rural Poverty: Lakha Singh, from a village near Meerut, works odd jobs for big farmers. His family cannot afford two meals a day, and they lack access to healthcare and education.
Dimensions of Poverty
Poverty means:
Hunger and lack of shelter.
Inability to send children to school.
No access to healthcare.
Living with a sense of helplessness and social discrimination.
Poverty as Seen by Social Scientists
Indicators of Poverty: Poverty is measured not only by income levels but also by social factors such as illiteracy, malnutrition, lack of access to safe drinking water, and sanitation.
Social Exclusion: This concept refers to individuals or groups being excluded from facilities, benefits, and opportunities that others enjoy, such as in the caste system in India.
Vulnerability: Certain groups, like backward castes or widows, are more vulnerable to poverty. They have a higher risk of remaining poor due to fewer job opportunities, education, or assets.
Poverty Line
The poverty line is used to measure poverty. It is the minimum income required to meet basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter.
Calorie Requirement: The poverty line in India is based on daily calorie needs—2400 calories in rural areas and 2100 in urban areas.
Income Criteria (2011-12): In rural areas, people earning less than Rs 816 per month are considered poor, while in urban areas, it’s Rs 1000 per month.
Poverty Estimates in India
Poverty has decreased from 45% in 1993-94 to 22% in 2011-12.
The number of people living below the poverty line reduced from 407 million in 2004-05 to 270 million in 2011-12.
Vulnerable Groups
Social Groups: Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are the most vulnerable to poverty.
Economic Groups: Rural agricultural laborers and urban casual laborers are at the highest risk of poverty.
Causes of Poverty
Historical Factors: British colonial rule ruined traditional industries and handicrafts, leading to widespread poverty.
Low Economic Growth: Slow economic growth until the 1980s resulted in fewer job opportunities.
Income Inequality: Unequal distribution of land and resources has contributed to poverty.
High Population Growth: Rapid population growth has made it difficult to improve per capita income.
Social Factors: Debt, social obligations, and religious ceremonies often push people deeper into poverty.
Anti-Poverty Measures
Economic Growth: India's economic growth since the 1980s has helped reduce poverty by providing more opportunities.
Government Programs:
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005: Guarantees 100 days of wage employment for rural households.
Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana (PMRY): Aims to create self-employment opportunities for unemployed youth.
Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY): Helps poor families form self-help groups to engage in productive activities.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): Provides highly subsidized food grains to the poorest families.
Challenges Ahead
Regional Disparities: Poverty levels vary widely between states. States like Bihar and Odisha have high poverty rates, while Kerala and Punjab have lower rates due to better economic growth and social programs.
Broadening the Definition: The current definition of poverty focuses on income, but poverty also includes lack of education, healthcare, job security, and gender equality.
