Poverty Alleviation Programmes in India

In almost all underdeveloped countries where per capita income is very low, income inequality has resulted in a number of evils, of which poverty is certainly the most serious one. Poverty infact is a socio-economic phenomenon that is intimately associated with inequality. It adversely affects human health, efficiency and productivity which in turn affect their income. It deprives a segment of society of bare necessities of life- food, clothing, housing, education and health. Poverty is more of social marginalization of an individual, household or group in the community/society rather than inadequacy of income to fulfill the basic needs. Indeed, inadequate income is therefore one of the factors of marginalization but not the sole factor. The goal of poverty alleviation programme should aim merely increasing the income level of individual, household or group but mainstreaming marginalized in the development process of the country. Poverty is a social-economic phenomenon in which a section of society is unable to fulfill even its basic necessities of life. The minimum needs are food, clothing, housing, education and other basic minimum human needs. Humanity faces pains and miseries if it does not attain a subsistence level of such needs. It is generally agreed that only these would fail to reach a certain minimum consumption standard should be regards as poor. Poverty is about contradiction of opportunities and fulfillment of human potential. Poverty and inequality are closely related and inequality appears to have been on the rise worldwide in recent decades at both national and international levels. More than 80 percent of the worlds population lives in countries where income differentials are widening. The poorest 40 percent of the worlds population account for only 5 percent of global income. On the other hand, the richest 20 percent account for 75 percent of world income, according to the United Nations Development Programme. In order to eradicate poverty by 2015, (based on national poverty line) as contrasted with mere poverty reduction, this paper examines the features of rural poverty, its magnitude, trends and geographical distribution, past and present programmes for poverty alleviation and proposes strategic interventions designed with rural households as a unit.