Class IX
Chapter
– 3
Poverty
as a Challenge
Question-Answers
Part -3
Ques.1. Describe how the poverty line is estimated in
India.
Ans : In India, poverty line is measured considering the
following factors required for subsistence:
1. Minimum level of food requirement 2. Clothing 3. Footwear
1. Minimum level of food requirement 2. Clothing 3. Footwear
4. Fuel and Light 5.
Education 6. Medical requirement etc.
These physical quantities are
multiplied by their prices. The present formula for food requirement is based
on the desired calorie requirement. On the basis of these calculations in 2011
- 2012, the poverty line in the rural areas was fixed in terms of consumption
expenditure of Rs.816 per capita per month and in urban areas, it was Rs.1000.
People earning more than this amount were considered above poverty line and
earning less than this amount were considered as living below poverty line. The
minimum amount in urban area is higher than that in rural area because of
higher price levels in urban areas. The minimum food requirement is measured in
calories which is 2100 per person per day in urban areas and 2400 in rural
areas. The minimum calorie requirement in rural area in higher as rural people
are engaged in more physical work.
Ques.2. Do you think that present methodology of poverty
estimation is appropriate?
Ans. The present methodology of
poverty estimation does not look appropriate. It only takes one factor in view
and that is the economic factor. Moreover it considers about a “minimum”
subsistence level of living rather than a “reasonable” level of living.
Poverty has many dimensions. With
development, the definitions of what constitutes poverty also changes. Its
concept now has broadened to human poverty.
If poverty is to be removed in
real sense and the people are to be brought above the poverty line, not only we
need to increase their income but also, we have to provide the people with
job-security, equality, social status, respect and dignity.
Ques.3. Describe poverty trends in India since 1973.
Ans : (i) As per the data, there is a substantial decline in poverty
ratio in India from 55 percent in 1973 to 36 percent in 1993. There was further
decline from 36 percent in 1993 to 26 percent in 2000.
(ii) Although the number of poor
people remained stable (about 320 million) in the earlier two decades (1973 to
1993), there was significant reduction in the number of poors to about 260
million till 2000.
(iii) Poverty ratio always remained
higher in rural areas compared to urban areas.
(iv) If the present trend continues,
the people below poverty line may come down to less than 20 percent in the next
few years.
Ques.4. Give an account of interstate disparities in
poverty in India.
Ans : The proportion of poor is
not the same in every state. Though there has been a decline in poverty in
every state from the early seventies, the success rate of reducing poverty has
varied from state to state. In 20 states and union territories, the poverty
ratio is less than the national average of 26. In others, the poverty ratios
are higher than the national average. Among these, Orrisa and Bihar continue to
be the two poorest states with poverty ratios of 47 and 43 per cent respectively.
Both rural and urban poverty are quite high in these states, and also in Madhya
Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
On the other hand, states like
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana and Jammu and
Kashmir and West Bengal have shown a significant decline in poverty. Improved
Public distribution of food grains in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, focus on
human resource development in Kerala, high agricultural development in Punjab
& Haryana and land reform measures adopted in West Bengal are some of the
factors responsible for the decline in poverty in these states.
Ques.5. Describe global poverty trends.
Ans : The proportion of people in
developing countries living on less than $1 per day has fallen from 28 per cent
in 1990 to 21 per cent in 2001. There has been a substantial reduction in
global poverty since the nineteen eighties. However, the reduction in poverty
is marked with great regional differences. Due to rapid economic growth and
massive investment in human resource development, poverty declined
substantially in China and Southeast Asian countries.
On the other hand, in South Asian
countries (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan), the decline
has not been as rapid. While the ratio of poverty in Latin America has remained
the same, in sub-Saharan Africa, poverty has risen from 41 per cent in 1981 to
46 per cent in 2001. According to the world development report of 2001,
countries like Nigeria, Bangladesh and India still have a large percentage of
people living under poverty. Poverty has also resurfaced in some of the former
socialist countries like Russia, where officially it was non-existent earlier.
Ques.6. Discuss the major reasons for poverty in India.
Ans : The major reasons for
poverty in India are:
a) Colonial Rule: India went through a long phase of low economic development
under the British colonial administration. The policies of the colonial
government ruined traditional handicrafts and discouraged development of
industries like textiles.
b) High growth in Population: The rapid growth of population, particularly among the poor, is
considered one of the major causes behind Indian poverty. Poor people are
illiterate and have traditional outlook. Hence, they are either ignorant of
birth control measures or not convinced of the need of birth control. Moreover,
they consider male child as an asset, that is, as a source of income and a
source of security during old age.
c) Low Rate of Economic Development: The actual rate of growth in India has always been below the
required level. It has been around 4 per cent since 1951. This has resulted in
less job opportunities. This was accompanied by a high growth rate of
population.
d) Unemployment: Another important factor that can be held responsible for the
incidence of high poverty in India is the high degree of unemployment and
underemployment. The job seekers are increasing at a higher rate than the
increase in the employment opportunities.
e) Unequal Distribution: Although national income of India has been increasing since
1951, it was not properly distributed among different sections of the society.
A large proportion of increased income has been pocketed by a few rich. They
become richer. Consequently, the majority of people have to live below the
poverty line.
f) Social Factors: Various social factors, viz., caste system, joint family
system, religious faiths, law of inheritance, etc., have blocked the path of
economic development.
Ques.7. Describe current government strategy of poverty
alleviation.
Ans : Removal of poverty has one
of the major objectives of Indian developmental strategy.
The current government strategy of
poverty alleviation is based on two planks:
(1) Promotion of Economic Growth
(2) Targeted Anti-poverty
Programmes
Some of the anti-poverty
programmes undertaken by government at present are discussed below:
a) Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana
(PMRY): Started in 1993, this programme aims to create
self-employment opportunities for educated unemployed youth in rural areas and
small towns.
b) Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana
(PMGY): Launched in 2000, this aims to create and improve basic
services like primary health, primary education, rural shelter, rural drinking
water and rural electrification.
c) National Food for Work programme
(NFWP): Launched in 2004 in 150 most backward districts of the
country, this programme is open to all rural poor who are in need of wage
employment and desired to do manual unskilled work.
d) National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act (NREGA): This act was passed in September
2005. The act provides 100 days assured employment every year to every rural
household in 200 districts. Later, the scheme will be extended to 600 districts
and also one third to the proposed jobs would be reserved for women.
(Note : Explain about each programme in at least 4-5 lines
from the book. Also, prepare more such
poverty alleviation programs from book.)
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