Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction Define poverty and its importance in the context of economic development. Introduce the varying estimates of poverty in India and the general consensus on the reduction of poverty levels over time. State the thesis: While there is evidence ...
Model Answer Introduction India continues to face significant challenges related to poverty and inequality, despite the implementation of numerous poverty alleviation programs. The effectiveness of these initiatives is often hindered by insufficient political commitment. According to World Bank dataRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
India continues to face significant challenges related to poverty and inequality, despite the implementation of numerous poverty alleviation programs. The effectiveness of these initiatives is often hindered by insufficient political commitment. According to World Bank data, while there has been a gradual decline in poverty rates, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, highlighting the need for robust political will to drive systemic reforms aimed at poverty alleviation.
Major Poverty Alleviation Programs
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
Launched in 2006, MGNREGA aims to provide at least 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households. However, its implementation has faced challenges, including corruption and delays in wage payments. A report by the Accountability Initiative in 2020 noted that only 32% of payments were made on time during the fiscal year 2019-20, and the average days of employment provided per household fell short of the mandated 100 days due to inadequate budget allocations.
Public Distribution System (PDS)
The PDS provides subsidized food grains to vulnerable populations. While it has contributed to food security, inefficiencies and corruption plague the system. The Economic Survey 2015-16 reported that nearly 54% of wheat and 48% of sugar allocated to the PDS was lost due to leakages. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) also highlighted significant diversions of PDS grains for open market sales.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
Launched in 2015, PMAY aims to provide affordable housing to the urban and rural poor. Despite progress, the demand for housing far exceeds supply. A CAG report indicated that only 1.2 crore houses were completed under PMAY (Rural) against a target of 2.6 crores, and as of January 2021, only about 32.6 lakh houses were completed under PMAY (Urban).
Role of Political Will
Implementation
Strong political will is essential for the effective implementation of programs like MGNREGA, ensuring timely wage payments and proper monitoring.
Resource Allocation
Political commitment is crucial for allocating adequate resources to poverty alleviation programs. For instance, in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), political will facilitates the opening of bank accounts and promotes awareness among marginalized communities.
Monitoring and Evaluation
With political backing, programs can be effectively monitored, enabling data-driven decision-making. The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) exemplifies this, as political will is vital for resource allocation and monitoring progress.
Tackling Corruption
Political will is necessary to combat corruption that undermines the effectiveness of poverty alleviation programs. Initiatives like Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) require political commitment to ensure accurate targeting of beneficiaries and address challenges during implementation .
Conclusion
For poverty alleviation programs in India to transition from mere showpieces to effective instruments for social progress, steadfast political commitment is essential. Only with strong political will can these initiatives achieve their intended outcomes and significantly reduce poverty.
See less
Model Answer Introduction The measurement of poverty in India has been a subject of intense debate, with various estimates put forth by different organizations and committees. Though the methods and exact figures vary, there is a broad consensus that poverty levels have decreased over time. Body HowRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
The measurement of poverty in India has been a subject of intense debate, with various estimates put forth by different organizations and committees. Though the methods and exact figures vary, there is a broad consensus that poverty levels have decreased over time.
Body
However, the rate of decrease and the disparity between urban and rural areas require critical examination.
According to the Tendulkar Committee (2009), the poverty ratio was estimated to be 29.8% in 2009-10, down from 37.2% in 2004-05. The Rangarajan Committee (2014) estimated a higher poverty ratio at 29.5% in 2011-12, but this also indicated a decline from previous years. Several key indicators reflect this decline in poverty:
However, the decline in poverty has not been uniform across urban and rural areas:
Conclusion
While there is general agreement that poverty in India has reduced over time, the pace of reduction and the extent of poverty remain contentious issues. The disparity between urban and rural poverty underlines the need for region-specific strategies to address poverty. Additionally, the focus should not just be on income-based measures of poverty but also on multi-dimensional poverty, which includes access to basic services like education, health, sanitation, and housing.
See less