In a significant development, India has achieved a remarkable reduction in poverty, with record 13.5 crore people moving out of multidimensional poverty between 2015-2016 and 2019-2021, according to NITI Aayog's National Multidimensional Poverty Index – A Progress Review 2023. This encouraging trend has also been corroborated by the United Nations' Global Multidimensional Poverty Index report, which showcased a decline in deprivation across all indicators in the country. To shed light on the implications of these reports and discuss India's remarkable strides in combating poverty, Akashvani's program "Spotlight" hosted an enlightening discussion featuring renowned political analyst, Mr. Shekhar Iyer, and anchor, Omvesh Upadhyay.
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) aims to analyze poverty from various angles, encompassing twelve parameters such as nutrition, child and adolescent mortality, maternal health, education, access to clean cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing, assets, and bank accounts. The results were awe-inspiring, indicating a 9.89% decline in the number of multidimensional poor, plummeting from 24.85% in 2015-2016 to a staggering 9.89%. The reduction in poverty was more pronounced in rural areas, where the rate declined from 32.59% to 19.28%, signifying the effectiveness of government initiatives.
Mr. Iyer attributed this significant reduction in poverty to the government's unwavering commitment to its flagship programs, which focused on providing essential amenities and facilities. Key initiatives like the Jan-Dhan Yojana played a crucial role by promoting financial inclusion and direct benefit transfers, ensuring that financial assistance reaches those in need without pilferage. Additionally, various schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan improved access to healthcare and education, thereby enhancing the quality of life for the underprivileged.
The expert analysis also shed light on the positive impact of water and sanitation projects like Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachhata mission, which alleviated the struggles of rural families. The opening of bank accounts under Jan-Dhan Yojana and the subsequent direct transfer of government subsidies brought relief to millions, enhancing their ease of life.
The progress in reducing poverty in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha was laudable, considering they were once referred to as the "BIMARU" states, facing numerous challenges. Mr. Iyer emphasized that the data from the MPI enables district-wise analysis, guiding targeted interventions to address specific deprivations.
The discussion concluded with optimism as Mr. Iyer reiterated that India's focus on sustainable development and its emphasis on reaching the last mile would inevitably lead to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) well before the 2030 deadline. The decline in poverty rates was not just a mere statistical change but represented the qualitative improvement in the lives of millions of people. The government's unwavering commitment to public welfare and effective implementation of welfare schemes played a pivotal role in uplifting the needy and transforming their lives.
The full discussion can be listened at https://youtu.be/MouMyyZ1BeU
