Que. Hunger and poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement.

अब तक भी भूख और गरीबी भारत में सुशासन के समक्ष सबसे बड़ी चुनौतियाँ हैं। मूल्यांकन कीजिए कि इन भारी समस्याओं से निपटने में क्रमिक सरकारों ने किस सीमा तक प्रगति की है। सुधार के लिए उपाय सुझाइए।

Structure of the Answer

(i) Introduction: Explain that “hunger” and “poverty” continue to be major governance challenges in India. Introduce the need for assessing government efforts and improvement measures.

(ii) Main Body: Evaluate the progress of successive governments in tackling hunger and poverty, examining policies, successes, challenges, and suggesting measures for future improvement.

(iii) Conclusion: Summarize that while progress has been made, comprehensive, multi-dimensional measures are essential to effectively tackle hunger and poverty for inclusive development.

Introduction 

“Hunger” and “poverty” are two of the biggest challenges for governance in India, hindering human development and economic growth. Despite various government initiatives, these issues persist, making it crucial to evaluate the progress made and suggest further measures for addressing these problems effectively.

Government Progress in Tackling Hunger and Poverty

(i) National Food Security Act (NFSA): The “National Food Security Act” of 2013 aimed to provide “food security” to nearly two-thirds of the Indian population. It ensured subsidized food grains to vulnerable groups, a significant step towards reducing hunger. However, challenges like “leakages” and inefficiencies still persist.

(ii) Public Distribution System (PDS): The “PDS” is another government mechanism aimed at providing subsidized food to the poor. While it has reached millions, “corruption,” “leakages,” and “mismanagement” of stocks reduce its effectiveness, limiting access to food for the most vulnerable.

(iii) Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Introduced to reduce leakages, DBT provides cash transfers directly to beneficiaries. While successful in eliminating intermediaries, it faces challenges in ensuring financial inclusion in rural areas and minimizing technological barriers like poor internet access.

(iv) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): MGNREGA has significantly improved the livelihoods of rural populations by guaranteeing wage employment. However, delays in payments and lack of proper infrastructure have hindered its full potential, limiting its impact on reducing poverty.

(v) Other Poverty Alleviation Programs: Various schemes like “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana” (housing) and “Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana” (financial inclusion) have helped improve living conditions for the poor. However, their reach and impact remain limited by implementation gaps and delays.

Challenges in Addressing Hunger and Poverty

(i) Persisting Inequality: Despite government interventions, poverty and hunger remain widespread due to growing “economic inequality.” A significant rural-urban divide and uneven distribution of resources contribute to persistent poverty in rural areas, despite national progress.

(ii) Agricultural Vulnerabilities: A large section of India’s poor depends on “agriculture,” which is vulnerable to “climate change” and low productivity. The agricultural sector continues to face challenges like “low wages,” “seasonal work,” and “lack of access to technology,” keeping rural poverty entrenched.

(iii) Corruption and Mismanagement: Misallocation of resources due to “corruption” in programs like the PDS, “DBT,” and other welfare schemes often prevents aid from reaching the intended beneficiaries. Institutional inefficiencies continue to hinder the effectiveness of anti-poverty initiatives.

(iv) Lack of Quality Education and Healthcare: “Education” and “healthcare” are key drivers of upward mobility. Yet, large sections of the poor population still face limited access to quality education and healthcare, further entrenching poverty and exacerbating hunger.

(v) Impact of COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic worsened poverty and hunger in India, particularly among migrant workers, informal sector laborers, and marginalized communities. The lack of safety nets exposed the vulnerabilities of the poor and rural populations.

Measures Taken by Government to Address Hunger and Poverty

(i) Expansion of PDS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government expanded the reach of the PDS by providing free food grains to millions. This measure helped mitigate hunger temporarily but is still marred by implementation challenges such as inefficient targeting and logistical issues.

(ii) Social Welfare Schemes: The government has implemented various welfare schemes like “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan,” which provided direct cash transfers and food packages to poor families during the lockdown. Expanding these initiatives further will ensure better coverage.

(iii) Financial Inclusion: The “Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana” has improved financial inclusion by opening bank accounts for millions of poor individuals. While a significant achievement, expanding digital banking infrastructure in rural areas is necessary for greater reach and effectiveness.

(iv) Skill Development Programs: Programs like “Skill India” aim to enhance the employability of the youth, thereby increasing income potential. However, aligning skill development with industry needs and ensuring high-quality training are areas that need further improvement.

(v) Healthcare and Nutrition Initiatives: Schemes like “Ayushman Bharat” focus on providing affordable healthcare coverage to low-income families. Additionally, programs like “Integrated Child Development Services” (ICDS) aim to tackle malnutrition. These initiatives have been beneficial but need greater scope and better execution.

Suggested Measures for Improvement

(i) Reform the PDS: “Reforming the PDS” by improving targeting mechanisms and reducing inefficiencies would ensure that food grains and other essential resources reach the most needy populations. Use of “digital technologies” and “biometric identification” can reduce leakages.

(ii) Support Agricultural Reforms: A long-term solution to rural poverty lies in “agricultural reforms,” including providing better irrigation facilities, enhancing crop insurance schemes, and promoting sustainable farming practices. Improving agricultural productivity will alleviate rural poverty and hunger.

(iii) Strengthen Healthcare and Education Systems: Ensuring “universal healthcare” and improving “access to quality education” are crucial in tackling the root causes of poverty. Expanding infrastructure and access to both in rural and urban poor areas is key to poverty alleviation.

(iv) Inclusive Economic Policies: Economic policies should focus on “inclusive growth,” ensuring that the benefits of economic development reach marginalized communities, particularly in rural areas. “Job creation,” especially in the non-farm sector, is vital to reducing poverty.

(v) Expand Social Safety Nets: “Universal social protection” programs, including unemployment benefits, old-age pensions, and nutrition assistance, should be expanded. This would provide a safety net to vulnerable populations, reducing both hunger and poverty in times of crisis.

Conclusion 

While the Indian government has made significant strides in addressing hunger and poverty, substantial challenges remain. A more targeted, efficient, and inclusive approach, supported by systemic reforms, will be necessary to achieve long-term poverty alleviation and food security.