NCERT Notes Class 9 Economics: Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge discusses that Poverty is a condition in which people do not have enough money to meet their basic needs. It is a major challenge facing many countries around the world, including India. In India, poverty is estimated to affect around 270 million people. This means that one in every five people in India is poor. There are many causes of poverty, including unemployment, lack of education, and lack of access to healthcare. Poverty can also be caused by natural disasters, such as floods and droughts.

Overview

This chapter explores poverty, a significant challenge faced by India, and its multi-dimensional nature. It examines poverty trends globally, the poverty line, causes, and government anti-poverty measures. The chapter concludes by expanding the official definition of poverty to include human poverty.

Introduction

Poverty is prevalent in daily life, with every fifth person in India being poor. This equates to 270 million people living in poverty in 2011-12, making India the largest single concentration of the poor in the world. People in India can be landless laborers, daily wage workers, child workers, or beggars with children in tatters.

Two Typical Cases of Poverty

Ram Saran, a daily wage laborer in a wheat flour mill near Ranchi, Jharkhand, earns around Rs 1,500 a month, but his income is not enough to support his family of six. His father, a landless laborer, depends on Ram Saran and his brother in a village near Ramgarh. Ram Saran lives in a temporary rented house, while his wife Santa Devi works as a part-time maid. The family struggles to survive, with no access to education, clean water, sanitation facilities, regular jobs, and a sense of helplessness.

Independent India faces the challenge of bringing millions of its people out of poverty. Mahatma Gandhi emphasized that India would be truly independent only when the poorest of its people become free of human suffering. Social scientists now analyze poverty based on social exclusion and vulnerability, focusing on indicators such as illiteracy level, lack of resistance to malnutrition, lack of access to healthcare, job opportunities, and access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Social Exclusion

Poverty is defined as living in a poor environment, excluded from social equality. Social exclusion can be both a cause and a consequence of poverty, such as the caste system in India. It can cause more damage than low income.

Vulnerability

Vulnerability to poverty refers to the likelihood of certain communities or individuals becoming or remaining poor in the future. It is determined by the options available for alternative living, such as assets, education, health, and job opportunities. Vulnerability also considers the risks these groups face during natural disasters and their social and economic ability to handle these risks.

Poverty Line

The concept of the “poverty line” is a key factor in poverty measurement, based on income or consumption levels. A person is considered poor if their income or consumption level falls below a minimum level necessary to fulfill basic needs. The poverty line may vary with time and place, as each country uses an imaginary line appropriate for its existing level of development and accepted minimum social norms. In India, the poverty line is determined by a minimum level of food, clothing, footwear, fuel, light, educational, and medical requirements. The average calorie requirement in rural areas is 2400 calories per person per day, while in urban areas it is 2100. The poverty line is estimated periodically by the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) and international organizations like the World Bank.

Poverty Estimates

India’s poverty ratio has significantly decreased from 45% in 1993-94 to 37.2% in 2004-05, with the proportion below the poverty line dropping to 22% in 2011-12. The number of poor has also decreased, from 407 million in 2004-05 to 270 million in 2011-12.

Vulnerable Groups

India’s poverty rate varies across social groups and economic categories, with Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households being the most vulnerable. Rural agricultural labor and urban casual labor households are also the most vulnerable. Despite an average poverty rate of 22, 43 out of 100 people in Scheduled Tribes cannot meet their basic needs. The double disadvantage of being a landless casual wage labor household in these groups highlights the seriousness of the problem.

Story of Sivaraman

Sivaraman, a cobbler, lives in a small village near Karur town in Tamil Nadu. He works as an agricultural laborer for Rs 160 per day, with his wife Sasikala also working. The family has eight members, including a 65-year-old widowed mother, a 25-year-old unmarried sister, and four children aged 1-16. Sivaraman plans to send his son to school but struggles to find a suitable groom due to lack of money. The family struggles to arrange two meals a day, and Sivaraman only buys milk for his son.

Inter-State Disparities

Poverty in India varies across states, with states like Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pardesh, Bihar, and Odisha having higher poverty levels than others. Bihar and Odisha remain the poorest, with poverty ratios of 33.7 and 32.6% respectively. In contrast, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and West Bengal have seen significant poverty reductions. Traditional methods include high agricultural growth rates, human resource development, land reform measures, and public distribution of food grains.

Global Poverty Scenario

The proportion of people living in extreme economic poverty has decreased from 36% in 1990 to 10% in 2015. However, regional differences persist. China and Southeast Asian countries have seen a significant decline in poverty due to rapid economic growth and human resource development. South Asian countries have also seen a rapid decline, with the number of poor decreasing from 510.4 million in 2005 to 274.5 million in 2013. Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America have also seen a decline in poverty. The United Nations’ sustainable development goals aim to end poverty by 2030.

Causes of Poverty

The widespread poverty in India has been attributed to various factors, including the low level of economic development under the British colonial administration, the spread of irrigation and the Green revolution, income inequalities, and socio-cultural and economic factors. The colonial government’s policies ruined traditional crafts and discouraged industries like textiles, leading to less job opportunities and low income growth. The spread of irrigation and the Green revolution created job opportunities in agriculture, but these were limited to certain areas, leading to people working as rickshaw pullers, vendors, construction workers, and domestic servants. The unequal distribution of land and resources has also contributed to high poverty rates. Despite various policies, the lack of proper implementation of land reforms has not significantly improved the lives of millions of rural poor.

Anti-Poverty Measures

The Indian government’s anti-poverty strategy focuses on promoting economic growth and targeted anti-poverty programs. However, there has been little per capita income growth and significant reduction in poverty over the past thirty years. Economic growth provides resources for human development and encourages people to send their children to schools for better economic returns. However, the poor may not be able to take direct advantage of these opportunities. The growth in the agriculture sector is also below expectations, which directly impacts poverty.

Several schemes have been launched to address poverty, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, which provides 100 days of wage employment to every household and addresses drought, deforestation, and soil erosion. Other schemes include Prime Minister Rozgar Yozana (PMRY), Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP), Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yozana (PMGY), and Antyodaya Anna Yozana (AAY). However, the effectiveness of these schemes has been mixed due to lack of proper implementation and targeting, and overlapping schemes. Therefore, the focus has been on proper monitoring of all poverty alleviation programs.

The Challenges Ahead

India has seen a decline in poverty, but it remains the most challenging challenge. Disparities exist between rural and urban areas and across different states, with certain social and economic groups more vulnerable. Progress is expected to improve in the next ten to fifteen years due to economic growth, universal free elementary education, population decline, and empowerment of women and economically weaker sections. The definition of poverty is limited, and eradicating poverty is a moving target. Addressing health care, education, job security, and achieving gender equality and dignity for the poor will be even more challenging.

Conclusion – NCERT Notes Class 9 Economics: Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge

In this chapter, we have discussed the concept of poverty, its causes and consequences, and the measures that can be taken to reduce it. We will also look at the specific challenges faced by India in its fight against poverty. There are many causes of poverty, including unemployment, lack of education, and lack of access to healthcare. Poverty can also be caused by natural disasters, such as floods and droughts. The effects of poverty can be devastating. Poor people are more likely to suffer from malnutrition, disease, and illiteracy. They are also more likely to be victims of violence and crime. There are a number of things that can be done to reduce poverty. These include providing education and job training, improving access to healthcare, and providing social safety nets. Governments can also play a role by investing in infrastructure and creating jobs.

Also Check:

• CBSE Class 10 Notes Economics Chapter 1: Development
• CBSE Notes Class 10 Economics Chapter 2 : Sectors of the Indian Economy
• CBSE Notes Class 10 Economics Chapter 3: Money and Credit

FAQs on NCERT Notes Class-9 Economics Chapter-3: Poverty as a Challenge

What is the main focus of NCERT Notes Class 9 Economics Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge?

The chapter focuses on understanding the concept of poverty, its causes, consequences, and measures to alleviate poverty.

How is poverty defined and measured?

Poverty is defined as a situation of deprivation where individuals lack basic necessities of life. It is measured using income levels, consumption patterns, and multidimensional indices.

What are the main causes of poverty?

Causes of poverty include lack of education, unemployment, underemployment, unequal distribution of resources, social exclusion, and inadequate access to healthcare and basic services.

How does poverty impact society and economy?

Poverty leads to social and economic disparities, health problems, malnutrition, low productivity, social unrest, and hindered economic growth and development.

What are some strategies to alleviate poverty?

Strategies to alleviate poverty include employment generation programs, investment in education and healthcare, social safety nets, land reforms, and promoting inclusive economic growth.