Describe poverty?

Poverty is a situation in which a person is unable to get

minimum basic requirements of life-food, clothes and shelter.
Describe Human poverty-

Human poverty is a concept that goes beyond the limited

view of poverty as lack of income.
It refers to the denial of political, social and economic
opportunities to an individual to maintain a ‘reasonable’
standard of living.
Illiteracy, lack of job opportunities, lack of access to proper
healthcare and sanitation, caste and gender discrimination, etc
are all components of human poverty.
Poverty seen by Social Scientists.

According to the social scientists poverty not only includes the dearth of
food, clothes and shelter but also literacy level, malnutrition, lack of
access to healthcare, lack of job opportunities, lack of access to safe
drinking water, sanitation etc.
Who are social Scientists-
Social scientists study all aspects of society—from past events and
achievements to human behavior and relationships among groups.
Describe vulnerebility

Vulnerability refers to the inability to withstand the effects of a hostile

environment. Mainly the poor people are vulnerable to hostile
situations like natural or man-made disasters.
Vulnerable people also includes children, elderly people and women.
How poverty line is estimated in India?

Poverty line is estimated by conducting sample survey by the

National Sample Survey Organisation of India. (NSSO).
1. A common method used to measure poverty is based on
income and consumption levels.
2. To estimate poverty, the minimum level of food requirement,
clothing, footwear, fuel and light, educational and medical
requirements are determine for subsistence.
3. For measuring poverty desired calorie requirement in food is
estimated.
● The accepted average calorie requirement in India is 2400
calorie per person per day in rural area and 2100 calorie per
person per day in urban area.
●
According to the calculation of 2019 poverty line in rural
area is Rs 960 per month and for urban area it is Rs 1310 per
month.
 Discuss the poverty trend in India since 1993.

1. There is substantial decline in poverty ratios in India from

about 45% in 1993-94 to 37.2% in 2004-05.
2. The number of people below poverty line further came down
to about 21.9% in 2011-12.
3. If the trend continues, poverty in India would come down to
less than 20% in next few years.
4. The number of poor declined from 407.1 million in 2004-05 to
269.3 million in 2011-12.
5. So the average annual decline of poverty is 2.2% during 2004-
05 to 2011-12.
The proportion of people below poverty line is not same for all
social groups. Justify.

1. The social groups which are vulnerable to poverty are scheduled caste,
scheduled tribes, rural agricultural labour and urban casual labour.

2. The people below poverty line for all social groups are more in India.

3. 48% of them is scheduled Tribes who cannot meet their basic needs.

4. 47% casual workers in urban areas are below poverty line.

5. About 50% of landless agricultural workers and 43% of scheduled castes

are poor.

6. Besides them women, elderly people and female infants are considered as
poorest of the poor.
Inter-state Disparities in India-

1. The proportion of poor people is not the same in every state of

India.

2. While all India HCR (Head Count Ratio) was 21.9% in 2011-12 the
states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Bihar and Orissa
had above all India poverty level.

3. Bihar and Orissa are continued to be the two poorest states with
poverty ratio of 33.7% and 37.6% respectively.

4. Along with rural poverty urban poverty is also high in Orissa,

Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
2 poorest states of India

Bihar

Orissa
Significant decline in poverty has been seen in many states of
India. Explain with examples.
Significant decline in poverty has been seen in many states of
India. Explain with examples.

1. Significant decline in poverty has been seen in states like Kerala, J&K, Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and West Bengal.

2. Agricultural growth in Punjab and Haryana has declined poverty in these two
states.

3. Land reform measures have reduced poverty in West Bengal.

4. Public distribution of food grain has helped Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to
reduce poverty.

5. Focus on Human Resource Development has helped Kerala to come out of

poverty.
Condition of global poverty.

1. According to World Bank people living on less than 1.90 dollar per day are
living below poverty line.
2. It has fallen from 36% in 1990 to 10% in 2015.
3. Although world poverty has fallen down but regional differences are still
exists.
4. Poverty has declined in China and South-east Asian countries as a result
of rapid economic growth and massive investment in human resource
development.
5. Number of poor in China has come down from 88.3% in 1981 to 14.7% in
2008 to 0.7% in 2015.
6. In South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh
and Bhutan the decline is not so rapid. The number of poor has declined
from 34% in 2005 to 16.2% in 2013.
Number of poor has declined from 510.4 million in 2005 to 274.5 million
in 2013.
7. As per census of 2011, all India poverty is 21.9% or 69 million.
8. In Sub-Saharan Africa, poverty decreased from 51% in 2005 to 41% in
2015.

9. In Latin America ratio of poverty has declined. It declined from 10%

in 2005 to 4% in 2015.

10. Poverty has resurfaced in many former socialist countries like

Russia.
In 2020, number of poverty stricken people in India is-11.4%
Major reasons for poverty in India.

1. British rule- Before the British rule traditional industries

flourished in India. During the British rule, the government
discouraged such industries. This left millions of people
unemployed. After independence we find major section of
people who are engaged in handicraft industries live in
poverty.
2. Lack of industrialisation-India is very backward from
industrial point of view. About 17% of the total workforce is
engaged in secondary sector. Among them only 3% are
engaged in large scale industries.
3. Over dependence in agriculture-Even after 69 years of
independence 58% of the population of India is engaged in
agricultural sector.
4. Inflationary pressure-Increase in price of goods of basic
necessity has affected the poorer sections of the society.
5. Unemployment- Due to lack of job opportunity about 10.8
million of our workforce is unemployed.
In 2012, the Indian government stated 21.9% of its population
is below its official poverty limit. The World Bank, in 2011
based on 2005's PPPs International Comparison Program,
estimated 23.6% of Indian population, or about 276 million
people, live below $1.25 per day on purchasing power parity.
(Parity = condition of being equal).
Socio-cultural and economic factors of poverty.

1.Social- Culture factor--In order to fulfil social obligations and

observe religious ceremonies people of India including poor
spend a lot of money.
2.Economic factor--Small farmers need money to purchase
agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides.Since poor
people hardly have any savings, they borrow money from the
moneylenders or landlords.
Unable to pay back the money they become the victim of
indebtedness.
3.High level of indebtedness leads to poverty.
Explain any 5 anti-poverty measures

undertaken by the government of India.

To remove poverty the government has adopted two
approaches-
Indirect approach-This includes high economic growth rate,
promotion of small–scale industries and promotion in agriculture.
It was thought that development in agriculture and industries
would create employment opportunities and income.
Direct approach-Under it, the government has launched
various poverty alleviation programmes.
1. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) 2005-

In it 100 days work would be provided to those who are able and
willing to do work.
1.It was started in 200 districts of India.
2. Later it would be extended to 600 districts.
3. 1/3 of the job would be reserved for the women.
4.The central government would also established National
Employment Guarantee Fund for the implementation of the scheme.
5. Similar scheme would be implemented by the state government.
6.Under the programme if an applicant is not provided with job
within 15 days, government would give unemployment allowance to
them.
2. National Food for Work Programme (NFWP)-

1. It was launched in 2004 in 150 most backward

villages of India.
2.The programme is open to all rural poor who are in
need of wage employment and desired to do unskilled
work.
3.It is 100% centrally sponsored scheme.
4. Food grains would be provided free of cost to the
states.
3. Prime Minister Rozgar Yozana (PMRY)

1.It was started in 1993.

2. The aim is to create self-employment opportunities for
educated unemployed youth in rural areas and small
towns.
3.They would be helped to set up small business and
industries.
4. Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP)

1. It was launched in 1995.

2. Aim is to create self-employment opportunities in
rural areas and small towns.
3.The target for creating 25 lakh new jobs has been set
for the programme under the 10th Five Year Plan.
5. Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yozana (SGSY)

1. It was launched in 1999.

2.The aim was to bring the poor family above poverty
line.
3. This can be done by organising them into self-help
groups who get bank credit and government subsidy.
6. Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yozana (PMGY)

1.It was launched in 2000.

2. Additional central assistance is given to states for
basic services such as primary health, education,
rural shelter, rural drinking water and rural
electrification.
Which further challenges are faced by the Indian government
despite progress?

1. Poverty reduction remains India’s greatest problem.

2. Wide disparities in poverty are visible between rural and
urban areas.
3. Certain social and economic groups are more vulnerable
to poverty.
Give suggestions to reduce poverty in India.

● Proper implementation of the programmes.

● Make strict laws against the corrupted people.
● Reservation should be based on economic status of people, not on their
caste.