Poverty schemes bolstered

In an effort to improve bottomlines in a different way, the government wants to reduce the proportion of people living below the poverty line to 19.3% by 2007. With this aim, 12 of its poverty alleviation and social sector programmes have been revamped.

According to the Survey, the Centre granted Rs 2,766 crore to state governments under the Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojna to improve basic services such as primary health, nutrition and drinking water.

During the period, the Centre covered 50 lakh more below poverty families under the Antoydaya Anna Yojana and provided grain at Rs 2 a kg, to meet a target of 2 crore families.

Under the Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojna to provide self-employment opportunities to the educated youth, the government has set target of 16.50 lakh opportunities under the 10th plan.

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill 2004 envisages merging the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojna and the national food-for-work programme for the rural poor.