Various Dimensions Associated with Poverty in India – UPSC Indian Society Notes

Poverty in India is a multifaceted issue that permeates through various dimensions of the nation’s socio-economic landscape. From economic disparity to social exclusion, inadequate access to education, healthcare, and basic amenities, the manifestations of poverty are diverse and pervasive. At its core, poverty in India is not merely an absence of material wealth but encompasses a complex web of factors that deprive individuals and communities of their fundamental rights and opportunities for a dignified life. Understanding the various dimensions associated with poverty is crucial for formulating effective policies and interventions aimed at alleviating its impact and fostering inclusive growth and development. This essay explores the intricate layers of poverty in India, delving into its economic, social, and human dimensions, while also shedding light on the systemic challenges that perpetuate its existence.

3 Dimensions and 10 Indicators in MPI

The MPI assesses poverty at the individual level.

The two main dimensions of poverty in India are:

1. Regional dimensions of poverty
2. Social dimensions of poverty.

1. Regional dimensions of poverty: 

• Poverty  in India has a regional dimension. Poverty profiles differ in rural and urban areas. 
• They also differ widely across states and regions of India. This is primarily due to wide regional disparities.
• There is a wide interstate imbalance in the economic growth of rich and poor states of India. During the post reforms period (1990- 2004), some states have accelerated and some states have decelerated in terms of economic development. There is a wide difference in the investment climate of different states of the Indian union.
• The rural–urban divide in India is widening after economic reforms. There is a deceleration in agricultural growth, which is the matter of concern in employment generation and poverty reduction.
• It is seen that both rural and urban poverty ratios in India are declining over the decades. But some states are lagging behind. 
• Orissa has the highest poverty ratio followed by Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. The percentage of chronically poor is quite high in Bihar (25 per cent in rural and 19 per cent in urban areas), Orissa (24 per cent in rural and 22 per cent in urban areas) and MP (21 per cent in rural and 22 per cent in urban areas). Chronic poverty is very low in Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is observed that in 1973 rural poverty was the highest in West Bengal and urban poverty was the highest in MP. During 1993, rural poverty was the highest in Orissa. The poverty level of STs in rural areas of Orissa is the highest at 73 percent, and that of Bihar it is 59 per cent. 
• The division of resources, as well as wealth, is very uneven in India, and this disparity creates different poverty ratios for different states. 
• For instance, states such as Delhi and Punjab have very low poverty ratios. On the other hand, 40-50 per cent of the populations in Bihar and Orissa live below the poverty line.

2. Social dimensions of poverty

• Poverty in India is not merely an economic phenomenon but also a social one. Poverty is seen today as an outcome of multiple deprivations. It is disproportionately high among SCs and STs. Poverty gets disproportionately concentrated among casual labourers. The share of STs in poverty had gone up during the 1990s, and that of SCs remained more or less the same. Tribes are poor and deprived in India. Among social groups, SCs and STs and backward castes accounted for 81 per cent of the rural poor in 1999-2000.
• Growing dependency of rural and urban households on the casual labour market exposes the poor to market risks and tends to increase transient poverty, whereby households move in and out of poverty due to fluctuations in the labour market. The incidence of poverty among SCs is very high in Bihar, MP and UP in both rural and urban areas. In terms of income poverty and other indicators of human development such as education and health, STs are at the bottom.
• The gender dimension of poverty is very important in India. There is gender discrimination against women in the labour market. A majority of women are illiterate. The female members of the poor household suffer the most from all kinds of deprivation. The standard of living index data reveals that 57 per cent of children belonging to poor households of rural areas and 50 per cent of children belonging to poor households of urban areas are stunted.
• According to NCAER, 50 per cent of the rural population suffer from “capability poverty”. Only 43 per cent of rural households have domestic lighting and 25 per cent have access to tap water. It is widely recognised that while income poverty reduction is relatively easy, elimination of multiple deprivation is more difficult to achieve.
• So a poverty reduction strategy should go beyond income poverty and inadequacy of basic needs and rights as well as inadequate access to both productive assets and social infrastructure. Therefore, empowerment of the poor is considered a critical factor in accelerating poverty reduction. Empowerment is sought to be achieved by giving a role to the poor in governance and development decisions.
• At present NGOs, donor agencies, and development activists are exerting pressure on policy makers to involve all stakeholders in poverty alleviation projects and activate the panchayats and promote institutions like self help groups and user groups and mobilize the poor for collective action.
• According to SAPAP (2003) poverty is the product of livelihood systems and the socio-political and economic forces that shape them. SAPAP argues that multidimensional interventions revolving around land and other property rights, bargaining power for improved wage, holistic health care, micro finance and insurance, and physical and social security are needed for accelerating poverty reduction. The key issue is to weaken the stronghold of the rich in the governance of local institutions and facilitate the participation of the poor.

FAQs

Q: What are the main causes of poverty in India?

Poverty in India stems from various factors, including:

• Unemployment: Lack of employment opportunities or underemployment is a significant contributor to poverty.
• Low Agricultural Productivity: Agriculture being a primary livelihood for many, low productivity due to factors like fragmented land holdings, inadequate irrigation, and outdated farming techniques perpetuates poverty.
• Social Inequality: The caste system, gender disparities, and unequal access to resources exacerbate poverty.
• Lack of Education: Illiteracy and limited access to quality education trap individuals in low-income occupations, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
• Urban-Rural Disparities: Rural areas often face inadequate infrastructure, limited access to healthcare, and fewer employment opportunities compared to urban areas, leading to higher poverty rates.

Q: How does poverty impact health in India?

Poverty in India significantly affects health outcomes due to:

• Malnutrition: Poor nutrition resulting from inadequate food intake leads to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and higher susceptibility to diseases.
• Limited Access to Healthcare: High healthcare costs and inadequate healthcare infrastructure prevent many impoverished individuals from accessing essential medical services.
• Poor Sanitation: Lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases, further compromising health.
• Higher Vulnerability to Epidemics: Poverty increases susceptibility to infectious diseases, as impoverished communities often lack resources for preventive measures and healthcare.

Q: How does poverty affect education in India?

Poverty negatively impacts education in India through:

• Lack of Access: Poverty-stricken families often cannot afford school fees, books, uniforms, or transportation, hindering access to education.
• Child Labor: Economic necessity forces many children into labor instead of attending school, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
• Poor Infrastructure: Schools in impoverished areas often lack basic amenities like proper classrooms, sanitation facilities, and teaching materials, affecting the quality of education.
• Gender Disparities: Poverty disproportionately affects girls’ education due to cultural norms, resulting in lower enrollment and higher dropout rates among girls.

Q: How does poverty contribute to environmental degradation in India?

Poverty exacerbates environmental degradation in India through:

• Overexploitation of Resources: Poor communities often depend on natural resources for their livelihoods, leading to overexploitation of forests, water bodies, and land.
• Lack of Awareness: Poverty restricts access to education and information, limiting awareness about sustainable resource management practices.
• Vulnerability to Climate Change: Impoverished communities are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, such as natural disasters, which can further impoverish them by destroying livelihoods and infrastructure.
• Inadequate Waste Management: Poverty-stricken areas often lack proper waste management systems, leading to pollution of land, water, and air.

Q: What initiatives are in place to alleviate poverty in India?

The Indian government and various organizations have implemented several initiatives to address poverty, including:

• Social Welfare Programs: Schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), and National Food Security Act aim to provide employment, financial assistance, and food security to the poor.
• Education Initiatives: Programs like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Midday Meal Scheme focus on improving access to education and enhancing the quality of schooling.
• Healthcare Interventions: Initiatives like the National Health Mission (NHM) and Ayushman Bharat aim to provide affordable healthcare and health insurance coverage to impoverished communities.
• Rural Development Projects: Projects targeting infrastructure development, agricultural modernization, and rural electrification aim to uplift rural communities and reduce poverty.

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