The Millennium Declaration signed in 2000 at United Nations, of which Government of India is also a signatory, lists 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The first MDG is “Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger” by 2015. Specific targets for poverty and hunger are: (a) to halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 a day and (b) to halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.

In a Report of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India, published in April, 2009, titled “Global Financial Crisis: Impact on India’s Poor Some Initial Perspectives”, Chapter 5 deals with the ‘Impact of Financial Crisis on India’s March Towards MDGs’. It mentions India’s human development and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and says that if the national poverty line is used as the definition, the country is generally considered to be well on track to reduce the headcount ratio of poverty. However, due to global economic crisis, there is possibility that poverty levels may be higher than expected in the next couple of years till the economy resumes a higher growth path.

 

National programmes and related initiatives by the Government tackle the issues of poverty in rural and urban areas by addressing the needs of employment, income generation, shelter, nutrition, and food security, thereby facilitating the march towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goal No. 1 relating to eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by 2015.

 

Major Schemes

In Urban Areas, in order to address infrastructure shortage and basic amenities needs of the urban poor living in slums in the urban areas, the Government launched Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) with effect from 3^rd December, 2005. The Mission comprises two Sub-Missions – Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG) and Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP). These Sub-Missions are for select 65 cities (2 cities namely Porbandar and Tirupati have been added recently). For cities/towns other than these 65 identified cities, two schemes, Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) have also been launched on 3^rd December 2005.

 

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation is the nodal Ministry for Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) and Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP), whereas the Ministry of Urban Development is the nodal Ministry for the Sub-Mission Urban Infrastructure & Governance and UIDSSMT.

Highlights of the Mission (BSUP & IHSDP)

Under BSUP & IHSDP More than 1.4 million houses sanctioned (14,59,272). 1304 projects with outlay of more than Rs 33, 860 crores approved with the Central share of Rs. 18,499 crores committed (102% of 7-year allocation for 2005-12). ACA of Rs 7213 crores released. All States and 63 Mission Cities covered under BSUP. All State and UTs except small states of Goa, Sikkim, and Lakshadweep covered under IHSDP so far. About 1.74 lakh houses completed and 4.36 lakh houses in progress.

 

Financial support for setting up of Programme Management Units (PMUs) in 23 States/UTs has been approved. States to monitor BSUP, IHSDP and other urban poverty alleviation schemes.

 

Similarly, Financial Support for setting up of 101 Project Implementation Units (PIUs) has also been approved at the Cities/ULBs levels to monitor BSUP, IHSDP and other urban poverty alleviation schemes. Detailed guidelines for PMUs & PIUs have been issued.

 

A framework for Third Party Inspection and Monitoring has been established and agencies for -Third Party Inspection and Monitoring empanelled by the Mission Directorate. TPIMs for nine States namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have been approved. Other States are also coming forward.

 

Progress on 3 Pro-Poor Key Reforms

·   Internal earmarking within local body budgets for Basic Services to the Urban Poor

·   48cities have undertaken implementation of this reform

·   Earmarking of at least 20-25% of developed land in all housing projects (both public and private agencies) for EWS/LIG category

·   17 States (43 Cities) have issued the policy directives to reserve developed land in public and/or private housing projects

·   Implementation of 7- Point Charter: Provision of 7 Basic Entitlements/Services

This reform is to be implemented in a staggered manner over the Mission Period in convergence with the programmes of other Ministries as this is also an outcome of the Mission.

 

Some Recent Initiatives

·   Planning Commission has enhanced the allocation by Rs. 5043 crore for BSUP (Rs. 2682 crore) and IHSDP (Rs. 2361 crore) and Ceiling Cost of a dwelling unit provided under the IHSDP was revised with the approval of the Cabinet from Rs. 80,000/ to Rs. 1,00,000 w.e.f. 01-04-2008.

 

·   The Government has also launched new scheme of Affordable Housing in Partnership with an outlay of Rs. 5,000 crores for construction of one million houses for EWS/LIG/MIG with at least 25% for EWS category. The scheme aims at partnership between various agencies/ Government/ parastatals/ Urban Local Bodies/ developers– for realizing the goal of affordable housing for all.

 

Detailed Guidelines have been issued in this regard and the Ministry proposes to modify the guidelines in consultation with Planning Commission and Department of Expenditure.

 

With a view to ameliorate the living conditions of the urban poor and to reduce urban poverty, the Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rojgar Yojana (SJSRY) is being implemented as a Centrally Sopnsored Scheme for the benefit of the urban poor on all India basis, since 1.12.1997

 

With effect from 1^st April 2009 focusing on employability, employment generation, loans for micro-enterprises and self-employment, community mobilization and empowerment of the urban poor, Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) has been comprehensively revamped. The following major changes have been effected in the scheme:

 

(i). For special category States (8 NER States and 3 other hilly States i.e. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand), the funding pattern for the Scheme between Centre and the States, has been revised from 75 :25 to 90:10.

(ii). For the beneficiary under the Urban Self Employment Programme (USEP) component of the Scheme, the education limit criteria of “not educated beyond 9^th standard” has been removed and now no minimum or maximum educational qualification level has been prescribed for the purpose of eligibility of assistance.

(iii). For the self-employment (individual category), the project cost ceiling has been enhanced to Rs. 2.00 Lakhs from the existing Rs. 50000/- and the subsidy has also been enhanced to 25% of the project cost (subject to a maximum of Rs. 50000/-), from the existing 15% of the project cost (subject to a maximum of Rs. 7500/-).

(iv). For the group enterprises set up by urban poor women, the subsidy has been made as 35% of the project cost or Rs. 300,000/- or Rs. 60,000/- per member of the Group, whichever is less. The minimum number required to form a women group has been reduced from 10 to 5. The revolving fund entitlement per member has also been enhanced from the existing Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 2000/-.

(v). Under the Urban Wage Employment Programme (UWEP) component, which is applicable to the towns having population less than 5 Lakhs as per 1991 census, the 60:40 Material labour ratio for the works under UWEP, flexibility of 10% (either side) is now accorded to the States/UTs.

(vi). The Skill Training of the Urban poor component has been restructured and quality skill training will be provided to the urban poor linking it with certification, imparted preferably on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, with the involvement of reputed institutions like IITs, NITs, Poly-techniques, ITIs, other reputed agencies etc. The average expenditure ceiling per trainee has been enhanced from the Rs. 2600/- to Rs. 10000/-.

(vii). 3% of the total Scheme allocation will be retained at the Central level for special /innovative projects to be undertaken to implement a time-bound targeting to bring a specific number of BPL families above the poverty line through self-employment or skill development.

The Revised Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) has now following five major components:-

(i) Urban Self Employment Programme (USEP)-Targeting individual urban poor for setting up of micro-enterprises.

(ii) Urban Women Self-help Programme (UWSP)-Targeting urban poor  women self-help groups for setting up of group-enterprises and providing them assistance through a revolving fund for thrift & credit activities

(iii) Skill Training for Employment Promotion amongst Urban Poor (STEP-UP)-Targeting urban poor for imparting quality training so as to enhance their employability for self-employment or better salaried employment.

(iv) Urban Wage Employment Programme (UWEP) -Assisting urban poor by utilizing their labour for construction of socially and economically useful public assets, in towns having population less than 5 lakhs.

(v) Urban Community Development Network (UCDN)-Assisting the urban poor in organizing themselves in self- managed community structures so as to gain collective strength to address the issues of poverty facing them and participate in the effective implementation of urban poverty alleviation programmes.

The Government has announced a new scheme called Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) for the slum dwellers and the urban poor. This scheme aims at providing support to States that are willing to provide property rights to sum dwellers. The Government’s effort through the implementation of RAY would be to encourage the States to adopt a pace that will create a Slum free India at the earliest. The process of consultation before seeking approval on the parameters of the Scheme is in progress with the circulation of Draft Guidelines of the Scheme to States/UTs/Central Ministries etc. seeking their suggestions/ comments.

 

In both urban and rural areas, implementation of Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) as a major programme of intervention for the nutrition and overall development of children below 6 years of age and expectant and nursing mothers.

 

Strengthening of Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure food security to the rural and urban poor.

 

Under all schemes aimed at redressing poverty and its deleterious effects, Government is placing emphasis on reaching the benefits of schemes to the SC/ST/OBC, minorities and women.

 

RTS/VN

SS-04/SF-04/08.01.2010