Why is it in the news?
- International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is celebrated on October 17 annually by the United Nations. The day is significant globally as a reminder of the ongoing battle against poverty in all its dimensions.
- The theme for 2023 is “Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting Dignity in Practice for All,” focusing on universal access to decent work and social protection.
More about the news
- Poverty is recognized as a complex issue, affecting various aspects of life such as access to healthcare, education, and social inclusion, and not just income.
| · According to the United Nations, 8.4% of the world’s population (approximately 670 million people) lived in extreme poverty at the end of 2022.
· An estimated 7% of the global population (around 575 million people) could still be in extreme poverty by 2030.
|
- The day emphasizes the importance of cooperation, human rights, and social justice in addressing poverty.
- It was first commemorated in Paris, France, in 1987, and the commemorative stone was unveiled by Joseph Wresinski, founder of the International Movement ATD Fourth World.
- In 1992, the United Nations officially designated October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
- It highlights the commitment to addressing social, economic, and human rights issues stemming from poverty and the need for collective action to alleviate suffering.
- The day calls for sustainable and inclusive development to ensure that no one is left behind, aiming for a world where poverty does not hinder dignity, opportunity, and hope.
About Poverty in India
Definition
- Poverty, according to the World Bank, represents severe deprivation in well-being and encompasses multiple dimensions.
- It involves low incomes and the inability to access essential goods and services necessary for a dignified life.
- Poverty includes factors like poor health, limited education, lack of access to clean water and sanitation, inadequate physical security, absence of a voice in decision-making, and insufficient capacity and opportunities for personal advancement.
- In India, 21.9% of the population lives below the national poverty line in 2011.
Committees on Poverty Estimation
- Working Group of 1962
- N. Dandekar and N. Rath in 1971
- K. Alagh in 1979
- T. Lakdawala in 1993
- Suresh Tendulkar in 2009
- Rangarajan in 2014
- Currently, the Tendulkar poverty line is used for measuring poverty in India as the government did not adopt the recommendations of the Rangarajan Committee.
Government Initiatives to address Poverty
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
- Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)
- Deen Dayal Upadhyay – Gramin Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)
- Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
- Shyama Prasad Mukherjee National RuRBAN Mission (SPMRM)
- National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
- Programs of Department of Land Resources, including the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (WDC-PMKSY).
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
- Schemes for Financial Assistance: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi; and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
- Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)
