Report of the Expert Group on Programmes for Alliviation of Poverty

Abstract

The conquest of poverty and unemployment has been a major area of concern of the successive Five Year Plans. In spite of sustained efforts over the last 30 years, the incidence of poverty in the country is high. In 1977-78, 48%, of the people were estimated to be living below the poverty line. In rural areas, the percentage was still higher at about 51 per cent. Of the total number of 303 million people estimated to be living below the poverty line in 1977-78, 252 million were in rural areas. This number is estimated to have gone up to about 260 million in 1979- 80. There are wide variations in the incidence of poverty in different States. There are also considerable differences in opinion about methods of measuring poverty. The quality of life index (QLI) has been suggested as a more reliable method of measuring the impact of development on the incidence of poverty. Whatever may be the estimate, the people below the poverty line, even when defined in bare modest terms, comprise largely those whose consumption is very low and who have no or little physical resources of production.