Rural Unemployment and Poverty Elimination Programme

- According to a general survey done by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), 58% of total unemployment exists in rural sector and only 38% in urban sector of our country.
- In the beginning of planning era in the country the Government did not pay heed to the solution of unemployment problem, but it was given serious attention during the 4th plan.
- Eighth Five Year Plan allocated Rs. 30,000 crore for rural development and it was increased to Rs. 42874 crore for the 9th Five Year Plan. 10th Plan also had sufficient allocations for rural development.
- Much priority was laid on rural development in the 11th plan.
- In conformity with the commitment of Indian planning, the Ministry of Rural Development accords foremost priority to development in rural areas and eradication of poverty and hunger from the face of rural India.
- A number of initiatives have been taken in the recent years for creation of social and economic infrastructure in rural areas to bridge the rural-urban divide as well as to provide food security and fulfil other basic needs of the rural populace.
- Addressing the challenge of unemployment in the rural areas of the country is central to the development of rural sector for ameliorating the economic condition of the people.
- Wage employment is provided in rural areas under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and Sampooma Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGR Y) whereas self-employment is provided under Swamajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY).
- Besides generating employment these wage employment schemes also ensure creation of durable assets in rural areas. Initiatives are also taken by the Ministry to build and upgrade the basic rural infrastructure through various schemes.
- Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) construction and repairing of rural roads are taken up to ensure rural connectivity.
- It is expected under the scheme that an expanded and renovated rural road network will lead to an increase in rural employment opportunities, better access to regulated and fair market, better access to health, education and other public services so as to accelerate the pace of economic growth in rural areas.
- Similarly basic amenities for housing, drinking water and toilets, etc. are provided under Indira Awaas Yojana (lAY), Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) and Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) to enhance the welfare and well-being of the vulnerable sections of rural population.
- Area Development is encouraged through Watershed Programmes to check the diminishing productivity of waste land and loss of natural resources.
Major Ongoing Programmes
(A) Poverty Alleviation & Employment Generation Programme
1. MNREGA
2. National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)-Aajeevika
3. National Urban Livelihood Mission (Replaced Swarna Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojana)
(B) Social Protection Programmes
1. Aam Admi Bima Yojana
2. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
3. Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008 and National Social Security Fund
(C) Rural Infrastructure & Development Programmes
1. Rural Housing-1ndira Awas Yojana
2. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
3. National Rural Drinking Water Programme
4. Rural Sanitation: Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan
5. Backward Regions Grant Fund
(D) Urban Infrastructure Programmes
1. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)
2. Rajeev Awas Yojana
(E) Education & Skill Development Programmes
1. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
2. Mid Day Meal Scheme
3. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan
4. Model School Scheme
5. Saakshar Bharat/Adult Education
6. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
(F) Health Programmes
1. National Health Mission (NHM)
2. PradhanMantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana
3. AYUSH
4. Women & Child Development Programmes