This document discusses poverty in India. It defines poverty as the inability to afford basic human needs like food, shelter and education. Poverty has been a long-standing problem in India and was intense during the colonial era. There are two concepts of poverty - absolute poverty refers to inability to consume a minimum number of calories, while relative poverty compares income levels. Rural poverty affects agricultural laborers and the landless, while urban poverty affects slum dwellers. Government measures to reduce poverty include rural employment programs, training for self-employment, subsidized food and loans for small businesses.

1. CHAP 3 B POVERTY
“Poverty is the worst form of violence”
– Mahatma Gandhi

2. NATURE OF POVERTY IN INDIA
 Meaning:-
 It is the situation in which an individual fails to fulfill
his basic minimum needs like food, clothing,
shelter, health and education.
 It is an age old problem in India.
 Even today there are many people who are unable
to live a decent standard of living.
 Definition:-
 “ Poverty may be defined as inability to secure
minimum human needs concerning food, clothing,
housing, education and health.”

3. POVERTY WAS INTENSE DURING COLONIAL ERA IN INDIA. NUMEROUS
FAMINES AND EPIDEMICS KILLED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE EACH YEAR. THIS
IMAGE IS FROM 1876-1879 FAMINE IN SOUTH OF BRITISH INDIA THAT
STARVED AND KILLED OVER 6 MILLION PEOPLE.

4. CONCEPTS OF POVERTY
Poverty
Absolute Poverty Relative Poverty

5. Absolute Poverty
(Poverty in numbers)
Relative Poverty
(In comparison)
“A person who is unable to
consume 2100 calories per day in
urban areas and 2400 calories in
rural areas is considered
absolutely poor.
Relative poverty is based on
comparison between the lower
income group and the higher
income group.
It is based on the level of
consumption or calorie intake per
day.
It is based in terms of income like
per capita income and per capita
expenditure.
This type of poverty is found in
developing countries and the
underdeveloped countries
This type of poverty is found in all
countries.
Absolute poverty can be
eradicated.
Relative poverty cannot be
eradicated.

6. CONCEPT OF POVERTY LINE
It is an imaginary line which divides
the economy into two parts
a) People below the poverty line
(BPL)
b) People above the poverty line.
Note:- The concept of poverty line differs from country to country.
In India those people who are unable to consume 2100 cal per day
in urban areas and 2400 cal per day in rural areas are considered as poor

7. RURAL POVERTY
 Poverty in rural areas is called as rural poverty.
 When a person consumes less than 2400 cal per day is
called as rural poor.
 This kind of poverty is found among agricultural laborers,
artisans, landless laborers etc.
People live in unhygienic
conditions and are sick,
malnourished, illiterate,
ignorant.
Farmers take huge loans
and due to unpredictable
monsoon are unable to
repay the debts.

8. URBAN POVERTY
 Poverty in urban areas is called as urban poverty.
 When a person consumes less than 2100 cal per day is called
as urban poor. Mostly poor live in slums.
 They live in unhygienic conditions, with lack of drainage, toilets etc.
 They are more miserable as they are exposed to pollution, crimes, theft etc.

9. Causes
Rapid
Population
Slow
growth
rate
Illiteracy
Natural
Calamities
Inflation
Under-
development
Regional
disparities
Social
factors

10. VICIOUS CYCLE OF POVERTY

11. EFFECTS OF POVERTY
Economic effects Social effects
Low National Income Class conflict
High unemployment Miserable conditions of living
Low savings and investments Anti-social activities
Low production Anti-national activities
Increase in underemployment
and disguised unemployment
Mal nourishment

12. MEASURES TO ERADICATE POVERTY
Measures
General
Measures
Specific
Measures

13. GENERAL MEASURES:-
 Accelerate the growth of the economy
 Control of population
 Increase in employment opportunities
 Reduce economic inequalities
 Land reforms
 Balanced regional development
 Rural Industrialization
 Provision of social security measures.

14. SPECIFIC MEASURES OF THE GOVERNMENT
 1.

15.  2. Rural Works Programme (RWP)
 Main aim is to increase employment in rural areas
by creating works such as construction of dams,
roads, irrigation etc.

16.  3. Training Rural Youth for Self Employment (TRYSEM)
 Under this scheme technical training is provided to rural
youth to undertake self employment.

17.  Antodaya Anna Yojna (AAY)
 This programme was launched in December 2000 to
provide food grains at a highly subsidised rates of Rs. 2/-
kg. of rice.

18.  Integrated Rural Development Programme. (IRDP)
 In this scheme financial assistance is provided to poor rural
families to buy sheeps, bullock cart etc. at subsidized rate
of interest.

19. THE END