India ranks 134th out of 182 countries on the Human Development Index, with over 170 million rural and 49.6 million urban people living in severe poverty. The Ashraya program was introduced in 2003 in Kerala to help destitute families access basic necessities and opportunities to become self-reliant. A study of 70 Ashraya beneficiary families in Ernakulam District found that 75% lived in rural areas, with 48% classified as Below Poverty Line and only 30% self-employed. The program aims to provide awareness, ensure participation in local governance, and conduct regular evaluations.

1. EFFECTIVENESS OF ASHRAYA IN ADDRESSIONG ABSOLUTE POVERTY STATE INTERVENTION :

2. REALITY… India- 134 th out of 182 countries with the HDI value 0.612. The Human Poverty Index rank 62 nd out of 108 developing countries. About 170.1 million rural population and 49.6 million of the urban are victims of severe poverty. 16 people per 1000 in rural areas and 3 per 1000 in urban centers are affected by seasonal hunger. In Kerala, BPL - around 25 percent of the total population. Scheduled Castes -19% Scheduled Tribes -3%. BPL families in Ernakulum District -215298.

3. ASHRAYA… for the Rights of Destitutes To Live. Destitute Identification, Rehabilitation and Monitoring Programme. Introduced in 2003. Under the Poverty Alleviation Department. Through Kudumbashree. Enhance access to basic necessities and opportunities. Make people self reliant. 60,532 families so far.

4. METHODOLOGY STUDY- Descriptive. MULTI STAGE RANDOM SAMPLING UNIVERSE – Ashraya Beneficiaries of Ernakulam District. UNIT- Ashraya beneficiary of panchayat where the programme has been carried out for more than 3 years.. WARDS AND BENEFICIARIES - Lottery Method SAMPLE SIZE- 70

5. 75% of the beneficiaries reside in rural areas 5% urban 10 % in slums and 5% have no place to live in.

6. LEVELS OF POVERTY 48% BPL 35% APL. 15% AAY.

7. MONTHLY INCOME 38% earn less than 1000/ month.

8. RATE OF SELF EMPLOYMENT Only 30% is self employed.

9. DROP OUT RATE 24% Drop out rate 14% is due to economic distress.

10. INTERVENTION MODEL Provide awareness at the grassroot level on the purpose of Ashraya, the procedures through which the beneficiaries must go to make best use of it. Create goodwill among the panchayat authorities Ensure maximum participation in gramasabha and there by in decision making. Conduct timely evaluation, half yearly survey and a social audit every 2 years…

11. THANK YOU…