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 of reduced poverty, a critical examination reveals significant disparities between urban and rural poverty indicators.
2. Overview of Poverty Estimates
- Tendulkar Committee (2009):
- Mention the poverty ratio of 29.8% in 2009-10, down from 37.2% in 2004-05.
- Fact: “The poverty ratio was estimated to be 29.8% in 2009-10” (Tendulkar Committee, 2009).
- Rangarajan Committee (2014):
- Discuss the estimated poverty ratio of 29.5% in 2011-12, indicating a decline.
- Fact: “The Rangarajan Committee estimated a higher poverty ratio at 29.5% in 2011-12” (Rangarajan Committee, 2014).
3. Indicators of Poverty Reduction
- Income and Consumption:
- Discuss the rise in per capita income and consumption levels as indicators of poverty reduction.
- Employment:
- Highlight the shift from agricultural to non-agricultural jobs contributing to reduced poverty.
- Education and Health:
- Explain how improved access to education and healthcare enhances capabilities and reduces poverty.
- Public Distribution System (PDS):
- Mention the role of government food security programs in alleviating extreme poverty.
4. Disparities in Urban and Rural Poverty
- Rural Poverty:
- Discuss the slow pace of poverty reduction in rural areas and ongoing challenges such as low incomes and lack of services.
- Fact: “Many rural households continue to suffer from low incomes, indebtedness, and lack of access to basic services” (NITI Aayog, 2019).
- Urban Poverty:
- Address the more rapid decline in urban poverty and the challenges that remain, such as slums and inadequate housing.
- Fact: “Urban poverty is often underestimated due to unaccounted living costs and slum conditions” (World Bank, 2020).
5. Conclusion
- Summarize the findings on poverty reduction and disparities between urban and rural areas.
- Emphasize the need for targeted strategies to address these disparities and highlight the importance of a multi-dimensional approach to poverty measurement.
Relevant Facts
- Tendulkar Committee Estimate: “The poverty ratio was estimated to be 29.8% in 2009-10” – Tendulkar Committee, 2009.
- Rangarajan Committee Estimate: “The Rangarajan Committee estimated a higher poverty ratio at 29.5% in 2011-12” – Rangarajan Committee, 2014.
- NITI Aayog on Rural Poverty: “Many rural households continue to suffer from low incomes, indebtedness, and lack of access to basic services” – NITI Aayog, 2019.
- World Bank on Urban Poverty: “Urban poverty is often underestimated due to unaccounted living costs and slum conditions” – World Bank, 2020.
Introduction:
Poverty in India has been a persistent challenge, but various estimates over the years have shown a reduction in poverty levels. While this trend is generally positive, it is essential to critically examine these reductions, especially considering the disparities between urban and rural poverty indicators.
Reduction in Poverty Levels:
Urban vs. Rural Poverty:
Critical Examination:
Conclusion:
While there is evidence of a reduction in poverty levels in India, the situation is complex, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas. The decline in poverty is commendable, but challenges like hidden poverty, inequality, and differences in measurement highlight the need for a nuanced understanding and targeted policy interventions to address the persistent issues in both urban and rural contexts.
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.