Poverty is a multidimensional concept that encompasses the various deprivations that poor people experience in their daily lives. The first goal of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is to end poverty in all its forms, everywhere. India has witnessed a decline in poverty by lifting 271 million people out of poverty from 2006 to 2016, according to U.N. reports. 

The Government of India has launched various poverty alleviation schemes to address poverty in rural areas and to ensure rural development.

National Rural Livelihood Mission 

This was launched in 2011 by the Ministry of Rural Development and aided by the World Bank. NRLM aims to create an efficient and effective system for the rural poor to access financial services. 

To that end, the objective is to create sustainable opportunities by empowering and enabling the poor to increase their household income. In addition to income-generated assets for the poor — they would also be facilitated to achieve increased access to rights, entitlements and public services, diversified risk and better social indicators of empowerment. 

The mission aims at harnessing the innate capabilities of the poor and complements them by providing them with the capacity to participate in the growing economy of the country. In 2015, the program was renamed to Deendayal Antayodaya Yojana (DAY-NRLM).

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MNREGA)

To ensure the security and livelihood of people in rural areas, this act guarantees a minimum of 100 days of wage employment. These measures apply to households whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled, manual work. 

All districts in India have coverage under MNREGA. Under this scheme, every person has the right to a job. If the state is unable to provide a job within 15 days of application, then the worker receives an entitlement to a daily unemployment allowance. 

To ensure social inclusion, women gain priority — such that some 33% of the beneficiaries under this scheme are women. Moreover, the robust institutions for grievance redressal and social auditing guarantee accountability and transparency.

Apart from the government, even NGOs have launched poverty alleviation programmes. 

Scope for Change 

Founded in February 2020, Scope For Change (SFC) works to uplift the poorest and the most vulnerable sections of society. It aims to meet their basic needs by improving livelihoods and by empowering them through education.

This NGO In Delhi provides underprivileged children with the education and resources to contribute to India’s goal of attaining a 100% literacy rate. The nonprofit supports education of the exceptionally talented students in its learning centers. 

Scope for Change ensures that sponsored students acquire formal education, knowledge, skill, and strategies necessary to reach their full potential and become productive, responsible individuals.

Concern India Foundation 

Concern India Foundation’s initiatives have helped bring about positive change in the lives of children, youth, women, the differently abled, the aged and rural communities in Maharashtra and other states, including Karnataka, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. 

It helps prevent child labour and child marriages, creates permanent solutions for water supply and water conservation, improves the quality of life and encourages sustainable use of renewable energy. It also worked with several NGOs on the ground during Covid-19.

This NGO in Mumbai extends both financial and non-financial support to grassroots NGOs working in the areas of education, health and community development. It has a team of professionals that identifies the NGOs for support and helps them strengthen their systems. 

Every programme is monitored and evaluated periodically to ensure that the funds extended to them are being used as per plan.