Hindu Editorial Analysis : 8-January-2024

Poverty extends beyond the mere lack of income; it encompasses a range of issues such as hunger, malnutrition, limited access to education, social discrimination, and exclusion. Those living below the poverty line struggle to meet their basic needs, highlighting the urgency to address this multifaceted challenge.

Major Causes of Poverty
  1. Income and Asset Inequality:
    • Unskilled labor, constituting the majority of the poor, faces low-wage income.
    • Economic growth benefits have not adequately reached lower-income groups.
  2. Limited Access to Social Services:
    • Inequality in asset ownership is compounded by restricted access to health and education services.
  3. Institutional Credit Barriers:
    • Biases in loan provision and stringent collateral rules hinder financial support for the poor.
  4. Lack of Productive Employment:
    • Unemployment, linked to poverty, is influenced by infrastructure, credit, technology, and marketing constraints.
  5. Caste System and Social Customs:
    • Caste-based subordination and excessive spending on social ceremonies contribute to rural poverty.
  6. Vicious Circle of Poverty:
    • Low savings lead to reduced investment, perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
  7. Low Productivity in Agriculture:
    • Subdivided holdings, lack of capital, and traditional farming methods contribute to rural poverty.
Consequences of Poverty
  1. Health Issues:
    • Malnutrition and related physical and mental ailments are direct outcomes of poverty.
  2. Unemployment and Indebtedness:
    • Casual work, unemployment, and intermittent employment reinforce poverty through indebtedness.
  3. Social and Family Problems:
    • Financial stress leads to family conflicts, divorce, and various family problems.
  4. Criminal Activities:
    • Poverty is linked to engagement in criminal activities, though poor individuals are also more likely to be crime victims.
  5. Educational Challenges:
    • Children in poverty face difficulties in education and are more likely to engage in street crime.
Government Initiatives: Progress and Challenges
  1. Three-Pronged Approach:
    • Growth-oriented development, poverty alleviation programs, and meeting minimum needs of the poor.
  2. Flagship Programs:
    • MGNREGA, Poshan Abhiyan, Anaemia Mukt Bharat, Swachh Bharat Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana contribute significantly to poverty reduction.
  3. Housing and Education Initiatives:
    • PMAY, PMJDY, Saubhagya, and Samagra Shiksha focus on improving living conditions and education.
Why In News

Poverty is an enduring and pervasive challenge that demands urgent attention and comprehensive solutions, as its impact extends beyond economic realms, affecting individuals’ access to basic necessities and hindering overall societal progress.

MCQs about Addressing Poverty: An Urgent Global Challenge

  1. What is the main cause of low productivity in agriculture contributing to rural poverty in India?
    A. Lack of access to social services
    B. Income and asset inequality
    C. Caste system
    D. Subdivided holdings, lack of capital, and traditional farming methods
    Correct Answer: D. Subdivided holdings, lack of capital, and traditional farming methods
    Explanation: The low productivity in agriculture is primarily due to factors such as subdivided holdings, lack of capital, and the use of traditional farming methods.
  2. Which government initiative focuses on providing wage employment while addressing the causes of chronic poverty in India?
    A. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
    B. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
    C. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Work (MGNREGA)
    D. Poshan Abhiyan
    Correct Answer: C. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Work (MGNREGA)
    Explanation: MGNREGA as a program providing wage employment and addressing chronic poverty.
  3. What is the primary focus of the government initiatives Saubhagya, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)?
    A. Agriculture productivity improvement
    B. Poverty alleviation through employment
    C. Housing, financial inclusion, and education
    D. Health and sanitation improvements
    Correct Answer: C. Housing, financial inclusion, and education
    Explanation: These initiatives as contributing to improving housing conditions, financial inclusion, and education, thus playing a major role in poverty reduction.

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