Poverty & Hunger

Model Answer

Poverty and hunger manifest differently in urban and rural areas of India due to varying socio-economic conditions, employment structures, and access to resources.

1. Employment and Livelihoods: In rural areas, about 47% of the population depends on agriculture, making them vulnerable to erratic weather patterns, land fragmentation, and other agricultural challenges. This leads to income instability and food insecurity. In contrast, urban areas, with their wide variety of job opportunities, still suffer from a high percentage (81%) of informal workers facing lower wages and a lack of social security, leading to precarious living conditions.

2. Access to Resources: Rural areas often have limited access to healthcare, education, and sanitation, trapping the poor in cycles of deprivation. Climate change impacts, such as droughts and floods, exacerbate these vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, urban areas suffer from spatial inequalities, leading to inadequate infrastructure and sanitation, which negatively affects food security and health, with high living costs further compounding these issues.

3. Social Exclusion and Isolation: In rural areas, caste and gender inequalities amplify poverty and hunger, limiting access to resources and opportunities for marginalized groups. Conversely, urban poverty is marked by social isolation due to the transient nature of urban life, leading to a lack of support networks for the poor.

4. Standard of Living: Rural areas, despite lower living standards, tend to have less stratification between different economic groups compared to urban areas, where a stark divide exists between the rich and poor. Around 100 million people in urban India live in slums, lacking basic amenities.

5. Food Insecurity: In rural areas, visible hunger and malnutrition are widespread, with insufficient calorie intake being a significant issue. Urban areas, while having sufficient calorie intake, suffer from “hidden hunger” due to poor dietary choices and micronutrient deficiencies.

Addressing these differences requires targeted policy interventions, focusing on infrastructure, social inclusion, education, and healthcare to effectively tackle the unique challenges faced by both urban and rural populations.

Model Answer

Challenges in the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, was a major step towards reducing hunger and malnutrition in India by providing subsidized food to 67% of the population. However, several challenges undermine its effectiveness:

1. Inadequate Infrastructure: Many Anganwadi centers, crucial for implementing nutritional care, suffer from poor sanitation, insufficient staff, and lack of clean drinking waterStorage and Wastage: The Food Corporation of India faces significant issues with inadequate storage facilities, leading to grain wastage due to rot and pilferage .
2. Awareness**: Many beneficiaries, especially migrant workers, are unaware of their entitlements under schemes like the One Nation One Ration Card .
3. Exclus: The digitalization of entitlements through Aadhaar has led to exclusion due to technical issues like fingerprint or iris scan mismatches .
4. **Nutritional Def The focus on food grains does not address the broader needs for a balanced, nutritious diet necessary for proper cognitive and physical development .

Measures to Improve EffectivenStrengthen Infrastructure**: Improve the infrastructure of Anganwadi centers and public distribution systems to ensure the efficient delivery of food and nutritional services .

1. Increase Storage Capacity: Addressge deficiencies to prevent wastage and ensure that food grains are stored in suitable conditions .
2. Raise Awareness: Launch nationwide awareness, especially for migrant workers, about the benefits available under various schemes .
3. Resolve Exclusion Issues: Streamline the digitalizats and resolve technical issues with Aadhaar-linked schemes to ensure inclusivity .
4. Focus on Nutrition: Expand the scope of the NFSA to include anutritional diet rather than just food grains to improve health outcomes, especially for children and pregnant women .

Addressing these challenges is crucial for the NFSA to meet its goal of proviehensive food and nutritional security to India’s vulnerable populations.