Poverty Eradication Programmes

India has implemented several poverty eradication programs over the years, aiming to improve the living standards of economically disadvantaged sections of society. These programs focus on various aspects such as employment generation, skill development, income security, and social welfare. Below are some of the major poverty eradication programs in India:

1. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) (2005)

• Objective: To provide a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual labor.
• Key Features:
  • Employment is provided in the construction of public infrastructure such as roads, ponds, and irrigation facilities.
  • Aims to create durable assets while providing financial security to rural households.
  • Focus on poverty alleviation, rural development, and women’s empowerment.
• Funding: Central and state governments share the funding, with the central government providing the majority of funds.

2. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) (2014)

• Objective: To ensure financial inclusion by providing access to financial services for the underprivileged, particularly the poor and marginalized sections of society.
• Key Features:
  • Zero balance accounts for low-income households.
  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to ensure that subsidies reach beneficiaries directly.
  • Provision of Rupay debit cards, micro-insurance, and pension schemes.
• Funding: The program is funded by the central government through public sector banks.

3. National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) / Aajeevika (2011)

• Objective: To reduce poverty through the promotion of self-help groups (SHGs) and micro-enterprises in rural areas.
• Key Features:
  • Focus on financial inclusion by facilitating access to credit, savings, and insurance for rural women.
  • Skill training programs to create livelihood opportunities and reduce dependence on external assistance.
  • Capacity building, community mobilization, and promoting entrepreneurship.
• Funding: Funded by the central government, with implementation by the Ministry of Rural Development.

4. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) (2015)

• Objective: To provide affordable housing for all by constructing 2 crore houses in urban and rural areas by 2022.
• Key Features:
  • Subsidies on home loans for the economically weaker sections (EWS) and lower-income groups (LIG).
  • Focus on in-situ rehabilitation of slum dwellers and providing pucca houses.
  • Emphasis on gender equality, with preference given to women in the allocation of houses.
• Funding: The central and state governments jointly fund the scheme.

5. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) (2000)

• Objective: To provide food security to the poorest families by ensuring access to subsidized food grains.
• Key Features:
  • Provides 35 kg of food grains per month at highly subsidized rates to the poorest families.
  • Targeted at the poorest of the poor including destitute, disabled, and elderly people.
• Funding: The central government finances the procurement and distribution of food grains.

6. Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP) (1980)

• Objective: To provide income-generating assets to rural poor families to enable them to improve their living standards.
• Key Features:
  • The program focuses on providing financial assistance for agriculture, small-scale industries, and self-employment schemes.
  • Provides subsidies and loans for purchasing assets such as livestock, tools, and machinery.
• Funding: The central and state governments jointly finance the program.

7. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY-NRLM) (2015)

• Objective: To provide support for the economic empowerment of rural women through enhanced access to credit, skills, and livelihoods.
• Key Features:
  • Focus on creating self-sustaining community institutions and improving access to basic services such as health, education, and housing.
  • Encourages entrepreneurship, skill development, and vocational training.
• Funding: The scheme is funded by the Ministry of Rural Development, with both central and state governments contributing.

8. Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM) (1995)

• Objective: To improve nutritional standards and increase school attendance among children in economically disadvantaged areas.
• Key Features:
  • Provides free meals to children in primary and upper primary schools.
  • Ensures nutritious food to reduce malnutrition among children, improving their health and educational outcomes.
• Funding: The central and state governments share the funding for the program.

9. Skill India Mission (2015)

• Objective: To provide training and skill development for millions of youth in India to enhance their employability and reduce poverty.
• Key Features:
  • Focus on industry-relevant skills through the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
  • Establishment of training centers and partnerships with industries to provide skill training.
  • Encouraging entrepreneurship and self-employment.
• Funding: Funded by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, with involvement from private sector partners.

10. National Food Security Act (NFSA) (2013)

• Objective: To provide food security to the poor and vulnerable sections of society.
• Key Features:
  • Provides highly subsidized food grains (rice, wheat, and coarse grains) to eligible households under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
  • Aims to improve nutritional standards for the poorest families and vulnerable groups.
• Funding: Central and state governments share the cost of food distribution.

11. Bharat Nirman (2005)

• Objective: To improve the rural infrastructure and provide basic services to rural India.
• Key Features:
  • Focus on rural housing, water supply, irrigation, electrification, and rural roads.
  • Employment generation through the creation of infrastructure and assets.
• Funding: Funded by the central government, with participation from state governments.

12. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) (2016)

• Objective: To provide free LPG connections to women from below poverty line (BPL) households.
• Key Features:
  • Aimed at providing cleaner cooking fuel to rural women to reduce the health hazards from traditional cooking methods.
  • The scheme provides financial assistance for the connection fee.
• Funding: Central government finances the program.

13. National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) (1995)

• Objective: To provide social security to elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities living below the poverty line.
• Key Features:
  • Provides monthly pensions to senior citizens, widows, and disabled persons.
  • Focus on providing financial support to the poorest and most vulnerable sections.
• Funding: The central government finances the scheme, and state governments contribute.

14. Atal Pension Yojana (APY) (2015)

• Objective: To provide pension benefits to the unorganized sector workers and low-income individuals.
• Key Features:
  1. Individuals between 18-40 years of age can contribute a fixed amount to their pension fund, with the government matching contributions for low-income groups.
  2. Provides a fixed monthly pension after the age of 60.
• Funding: The government contributes a part of the premiums for the economically weaker sections.