POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN INDIA: SOCIO-LEGAL ASPECTS

Abstract

The poverty is a relative term. Poverty line differs from a country to other country, depending upon the welfare standard of a country and condition of its economy. In developed countries minimum living standard for the people include higher consumption requirements and accessibility to much more goods and services. Their living standards are high. The sociologists describe the phenomenon mainly because of culture of poverty. The poor are not poor because of the paucity of financial resources or scarcity of physical comforts, but mainly they are poor because they are born in a family having the low socio-economic status. The poor people do not have adequate wealth to meet the minimum requirements and they persistently look forward hoping to food, clothing, shelter, education and health facilities for their families. Though poverty is a multidimensional serious problem with origin at both the national and international domain, yet particularly in India it is strongly associated with region, religion, caste, culture and is observed highest among scheduled castes and scheduled tribes living in rural areas. Besides this the acute problem of poverty is found at large scale in North-east, Centre-east and Northern arid regions in India. The Government of India has been doing consistent endeavors for poverty alleviation and the country   has achieved certain positive results. But still we have a long way to alleviate poverty from India. The main purpose of this research paper is to highlight the existing legal provisions in India relating to rural employment, and to discuss government efforts in the direction of achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to eradicate poverty by 2030. This study seeks to understand meaning of poverty and delineates its main factors and effect.   The author has also mentioned some suggestions to combating poverty.