07-January-2025-Special-Article

POVERTY-FREE VILLAGES: PMAY-G AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

The Ministry of Rural Development recently emphasized creating poverty-free villages by enhancing the implementation of rural development schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G). These efforts align with the broader vision of achieving a poverty-free India.

Key Features of PMAY-G

Objective:

• Launched in 2016, PMAY-G aims to provide affordable housing for the rural poor.

Selection of Beneficiaries:

• Beneficiaries are identified using the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 and approved through Gram Sabha consultations with geo-tagging for transparency.

Financial Support:

Assistance Amount:

• ₹1.20 lakh for homes in plains.
• ₹1.30 lakh for homes in hilly states, the northeastern region, and Union Territories like Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Cost Sharing:

• 60:40 between Centre and States in plain areas.
• 90:10 for northeastern and Himalayan states.
• 100% central funding for Ladakh.

Additional Benefits:

• Toilets: ₹12,000 provided for toilet construction under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G).
• Cooking Fuel: LPG connections through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
• Employment: Beneficiaries receive unskilled labor support for 90-95 days under MGNREGA for house construction.

Achievements:

• As of November 2024, 3.21 crore houses have been sanctioned, with 2.67 crore houses completed.
• Apps like Awas Plus-2024 and Awas Sakhi were introduced to improve beneficiary identification and monitoring.

About Poverty

The World Bank defines poverty as a lack of resources to meet basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare.

It includes both absolute poverty (unable to meet basic needs) and relative poverty (lower living standards compared to others).

Poverty in India:

• Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Decreased from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23.
• Rural poverty reduced significantly from 25.7% in 2011-12 to 7.2% in 2022-23, while urban poverty dropped to 4.6% from 13.7% in the same period.

Other Schemes Supporting Poverty Alleviation

Infrastructure Development:

• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): Rural road connectivity.
• Jal Jeevan Mission: Access to safe drinking water.

Social Protection:

• National Social Assistance Program (NSAP): Pensions for vulnerable groups.
• Insurance schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.

Livelihood Promotion:

• MGNREGA: Guaranteed rural employment.
• National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM): Enhancing income through self-employment.
• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana: Financial support for small businesses.

Health Initiatives:

• Ayushman Bharat: Universal health coverage.
• Mission Indradhanush: Immunization programs.

Challenges in Eradicating Rural Poverty

• Agricultural Dependency: Limited irrigation facilities and low productivity hinder income growth.
• Unemployment: Lack of skill development and job opportunities outside agriculture lead to high underemployment.
• Inadequate Services: Poor access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure in rural areas.
• Land Ownership Issues: Many rural families lack secure land rights, restricting livelihood improvements.
• Social Inequality: Marginalized communities face limited resource access, perpetuating poverty cycles.
• Governance Weaknesses: Corruption, poor data management, and ineffective policy implementation limit progress.

Solutions for Poverty-Free Villages

Achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• No Poverty (SDG 1): Strengthen social protection and create employment.
• Zero Hunger (SDG 2): Ensure food security through agriculture reforms.
• Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): Promote financial inclusion and equitable access to resources.

Employment and Livelihoods:

• Enhance skill mapping and training under initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
• Link SHGs and farmers with enterprise schemes to boost income.

Infrastructure Development:

• Build roads, schools, and community centers for better connectivity and access to services.
• Promote digital inclusion by registering farmers on platforms like eNAM.

Social and Behavioral Changes:

• Empower women in economic and decision-making roles.
• Discourage exploitative informal credit systems.

Climate-Resilient Practices:

• Develop sustainable agriculture practices through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
• Integrate disaster preparedness in village development plans.

Conclusion

To make rural India poverty-free, a multi-pronged approach combining housing, financial support, employment, and infrastructure is essential. Addressing challenges like dependency on agriculture, unemployment, and social inequality can help achieve sustainable development. Empowering rural communities through skill enhancement, digital inclusion, and financial independence will pave the way for resilient and prosperous villages.

Mains Question:

1. “Discuss the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) on poverty alleviation in rural India, highlighting the challenges and future prospects.” (150 WORDS)