Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• Overview of Urban Poverty in India:
  Begin by stating that India is experiencing rapid urbanization, which has contributed to significant disparities between the urban poor and high-income groups. Urban poverty alleviation measures have been introduced, but these face several challenges.

2. Main Body

A. Lack of Adequate Measures

• Unorganised Sector:
  Many urban poor work in the unorganised sector, where they face high risks of poverty without access to social security.
  • Fact: The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act (UWSSA) 2008 has not been able to effectively establish comprehensive social security schemes for informal workers.
• Challenges:
  These workers lack insurance, healthcare benefits, and social safety nets, making poverty alleviation efforts ineffective.

B. Lack of Local Participation

• AMRUT Mission Issues:
  The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) aimed at providing tap water and sewerage connections to every urban household, but failed due to inadequate local involvement.
  • Fact: The AMRUT mission did not include representatives from local bodies in decision-making. The apex committee is composed of non-elected members, and state committees are often headed by bureaucrats with private connections.
• Challenges:
  The lack of local participation in decision-making processes undermines the efficiency of the mission.

C. Poor Design of Schemes

• Housing Issues:
  Affordable housing programs like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) aim to address housing shortages but face significant challenges due to design flaws.
  • Fact: High land prices push affordable housing projects to urban peripheries, which are often far from work areas, and the cost of maintaining slum redevelopment projects exceeds the capacity of slum dwellers.
• Challenges:
  The misalignment of housing schemes with the needs of the urban poor exacerbates housing issues rather than alleviating them.

D. Poor Implementation of Programs

• National Urban Health Mission (NUHM):
  The National Urban Health Mission, aimed at addressing healthcare needs of the urban poor, suffers from poor implementation.
  • Fact: Urban Primary Health Centres fall 40% short of government norms and are often located far from slum areas, making healthcare access difficult.
• Challenges:
  Lack of proper implementation and inadequate infrastructure hinder the effectiveness of health-related poverty alleviation efforts.

3. Conclusion

• Summary of Challenges:
  Reiterate the key challenges: lack of adequate measures, lack of local participation, poor design of schemes, and poor implementation.
• Suggestions for Improvement:
  Emphasize the need for inclusive design, better local participation, improved implementation, and alignment with the real needs of the urban poor to make urban poverty alleviation efforts more effective.

Relevant Facts for Answer Writing:

1. Unorganised Sector:
   • The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act (UWSSA) 2008 has seen limited progress in creating social security schemes for informal workers.
2. AMRUT Mission:
   • The AMRUT mission did not involve local bodies in decision-making, with committees consisting of non-elected members and bureaucrats.
3. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban):
   • High land prices push affordable housing projects to urban peripheries, while slum dwellers struggle with the recurring costs of redeveloped housing.
4. National Urban Health Mission (NUHM):
   • Urban Primary Health Centres fall 40% short of government norms, and many are located far from slums, limiting access to healthcare.
5. Housing Issues:
   • Slum redevelopment projects face high maintenance costs that exceed the capacity of the poor.