Overview of Urban Poverty in India
Urban poverty in India is socio-economic issue that affects millions of people living in cities. It is characterised by inadequate access to basic needs such as housing, employment, education, and healthcare. The urban poor often reside in slums or informal settlements, facing challenges related to sanitation, safety, and social exclusion. The Government of India has implemented various initiatives to address these challenges and improve the living conditions of urban poor populations.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is a key government body responsible for formulating and implementing policies to improve urban living conditions. MoHUA collaborates with state governments to implement various schemes aimed at alleviating urban poverty. These initiatives focus on infrastructure development, housing, sanitation, and livelihood opportunities for the urban poor.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0)
AMRUT 2.0 aims to make cities water secure by providing functional water tap connections to all households in statutory towns. The mission also targets universal coverage of sewerage and septage management in 500 AMRUT cities. Improved water and sanitation facilities contribute to better health outcomes for the urban poor, reducing disease burden and enhancing quality of life.
Smart Cities Mission
The Smart Cities Mission aims to promote sustainable urban development by enhancing infrastructure and providing a decent quality of life to citizens. Core elements include adequate water supply, sanitation, efficient public transport, affordable housing, and digital connectivity. This initiative seeks to improve urban living conditions, particularly for low-income residents.
Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0)
Launched in 2014, SBM-U 2.0 focuses on achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and scientific processing of municipal waste. The mission identifies households without access to toilets and has completed millions of Individual Household Latrines (IHHL). The initiative aims to improve sanitation and promote behaviour change among urban populations.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)
PMAY-U addresses the urban housing shortage among economically weaker sections and slum dwellers. The mission aims to provide a pucca house for all eligible urban households by 2022. In 2022, the Union Cabinet extended the mission’s timeline to 2024. PMAY-U prioritises women’s empowerment by promoting house ownership in the name of female members and supports various marginalised groups.
Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs)
ARHCs, launched as a sub-scheme under PMAY-U, aim to provide decent and affordable rental housing for urban migrants and economically disadvantaged individuals. This initiative enhances living conditions by offering housing near workplaces, thereby improving access to employment opportunities.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)
DAY-NULM is a centrally sponsored scheme that aims to enable urban poor to access self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities. The mission provides financial assistance to individuals and Self Help Groups (SHGs) for setting up micro-enterprises. As of November 2022, over 1.3 million urban poor have received skill training under this initiative.
PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi)
This initiative facilitates micro-credit for street vendors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Street vendors can avail working capital loans to restart their businesses. The scheme provides loans in tranches, supporting the economic recovery of this vulnerable group.
National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM)
Launched in 2014, NULM aims to reduce urban poverty through self-employment and wage employment promotion. The mission focuses on skill development, financial inclusion, and social security, enhancing the employability of the urban poor.
Skill India Mission
The Skill India Mission aims to improve youth employability, including those from urban poor backgrounds. The programme focuses on skill development initiatives tailored to market needs, enhancing job opportunities for urban residents.
Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP)
IHSDP aims to provide housing and basic services to slum dwellers, focusing on slum rehabilitation and infrastructure development. This initiative addresses the needs of urban poor populations living in informal settlements.
Digital India Initiative
The Digital India Initiative aims to enhance digital infrastructure and access to services. By bridging the digital divide, the initiative helps urban poor populations access information and services that can improve their livelihoods.
Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms
Government initiatives addressing urban poverty often include frameworks for monitoring their impact. These mechanisms ensure accountability and effectiveness in programme implementation, allowing for adjustments based on outcomes.
Collaboration with NGOs and Civil Society
The government collaborates with non-governmental organisations to effectively implement programmes targeted at urban poverty. This partnership enhances outreach to marginalised populations and ensures that initiatives meet the needs of the urban poor.
State-Level Initiatives
Various state of Indias have launched targeted schemes to address urban poverty. For example, Maharashtra’s Aapla Dukan supports small vendors, while Delhi’s Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana focuses on housing for the urban poor. These state-level initiatives complement national programmes and address local challenges.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
Public-private partnerships encourage collaboration between government and private sectors to tackle urban poverty. These partnerships facilitate infrastructure development and service delivery, enhancing the quality of life for low-income urban residents.
Financial Inclusion Initiatives
Financial inclusion initiatives, such as Jan Dhan Yojana, aim to provide banking services to the unbanked urban poor. These programmes facilitate access to financial services, promoting economic empowerment among urban populations.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the effectiveness of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) in addressing housing shortages among the urban poor in India.
- Examine the role of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0) in improving urban infrastructure and its impact on the quality of life for low-income residents.
- Analyse the significance of the Skill India Mission in enhancing employability among the urban poor and point out the challenges faced in its implementation.
- Estimate the impact of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) on poverty reduction in urban areas and discuss its alignment with market needs for skill development.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically discuss the effectiveness of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) in addressing housing shortages among the urban poor in India.
- PMAY-U aims to provide affordable housing to urban poor by 2022, targeting slum dwellers and low-income groups.
- It offers financial assistance through subsidies and promotes the use of eco-friendly materials in construction.
- Implementation challenges include delays in project completion, bureaucratic hurdles, and limited awareness among beneficiaries.
- Success is evident in increased housing stock, but the program faces criticism for not reaching all intended beneficiaries.
- Long-term sustainability and maintenance of constructed houses remain concerns post-occupancy.
2. Examine the role of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0) in improving urban infrastructure and its impact on the quality of life for low-income residents.
- AMRUT 2.0 focuses on providing basic services like water supply, sewerage, and urban transport to improve urban living conditions.
- The mission emphasizes green spaces and sustainable urban development, enhancing the environment for low-income communities.
- It encourages citizen participation in planning and execution, encouraging a sense of ownership among residents.
- Challenges include inadequate funding, coordination among various departments, and ensuring timely project execution.
- Positive outcomes include improved access to essential services, leading to better health and economic opportunities for low-income residents.
3. Analyse the significance of the Skill India Mission in enhancing employability among the urban poor and point out the challenges faced in its implementation.
- Skill India Mission aims to equip youth with skills relevant to the job market, thereby enhancing employability among the urban poor.
- The program focuses on various sectors, including manufacturing, services, and entrepreneurship, catering to diverse skill sets.
- Collaboration with industries and training institutes is key to aligning skills with market demands.
- Challenges include inadequate infrastructure, lack of qualified trainers, and limited outreach to marginalized communities.
- Success is measured by increased job placements, but the impact on long-term career growth remains to be assessed.
4. Estimate the impact of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) on poverty reduction in urban areas and discuss its alignment with market needs for skill development.
- NULM aims to reduce poverty by promoting self-employment and wage employment opportunities for the urban poor.
- The mission supports skill development programs tailored to local market needs, enhancing job readiness among participants.
- It facilitates access to credit and financial inclusion, empowering individuals to start their own businesses.
- Challenges include ensuring sustainability of livelihoods and addressing the informal nature of many urban jobs.
- Overall, NULM has shown positive impacts on income levels and quality of life for beneficiaries, but continuous evaluation is necessary to adapt to changing market dynamics.
