Q.Discuss the steps taken by India to reduce poverty during planning period.

India fought poverty through growth-oriented planning, land reforms, employment and self-employment schemes (IRDP, MGNREGA, SGSY), the PDS, rural development and social spending. OR: poverty is inability to meet minimum basic needs, shown by low income, low calorie intake, poor housing, illiteracy, unemployment and lack of amenities.

Steps taken by India to reduce poverty during the planning period:

• Economic growth through planning: Five-Year Plans aimed at faster growth so that its benefits would reach the poor and expand employment.
• Land reforms: Abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reforms and land-ceiling laws to give land to the landless and poor farmers.
• Employment-generation programmes: Schemes to create wage employment, e.g. NREGA/MGNREGA, Jawahar Rozgar Yojana, etc.
• Self-employment programmes: Programmes providing assets and credit for self-employment, e.g. IRDP (Integrated Rural Development Programme), SGSY.
• Public Distribution System (PDS): Supply of essential goods (foodgrains, etc.) at subsidised prices through fair-price shops to protect the poor.
• Minimum needs and rural-development programmes: Provision of drinking water, housing, roads, health and education to the poor (e.g. Minimum Needs Programme, Indira Awas Yojana).
• Promotion of small and cottage industries: To create rural and self-employment opportunities.
• Social-security and welfare measures: Old-age pensions, subsidised food, and special programmes for weaker sections.

OR — What is poverty? Its indicators:

Poverty is a social and economic condition in which a section of society is unable to fulfil even the minimum basic needs of life — adequate food, clothing, shelter, education and health — for a decent living. People below the poverty line cannot afford the minimum required consumption.

Indicators of poverty:

• Low per-capita income and low household income.
• Low calorie/nutritional intake (below the minimum required calories per day). …