Which of the following is a government programme meant to reduce poverty in India?

The correct answer is NRLM (National Rural Livelihoods Mission).

Key Points

• NRLM, also known as Aajeevika, was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development in June 2011.
• The mission aims to reduce poverty by promoting self-employment and the organization of rural poor.
• The scheme focuses on the creation of efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor.
• These platforms enable the poor to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services.
• NRLM targets to reach out to 7 crore rural poor households across 600 districts, 6000 blocks, 2.5 lakh gram panchayats, and 6 lakh villages in India.

Additional Information

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
  • Launched in 2005, MGNREGA aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household.
  • It focuses on sustainable development by creating durable assets (such as roads, canals, ponds, and wells).
  • The scheme ensures social inclusion by strengthening the livelihood base of rural poor.
  • It is a demand-driven program where the provision of work is based on the demand for employment in rural areas.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G)
  • Launched in 2016, the scheme aims to provide a pucca house with basic amenities to all houseless householders and those living in kutcha houses by 2022.
  • Financial assistance of Rs. 1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs. 1.30 lakh in hilly states, difficult areas, and IAP districts is provided under PMAY-G.
  • It ensures the construction of quality houses using local materials, designs, and technology.
  • The scheme empowers beneficiaries by involving them in the construction process.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
  • Launched in 2016, PMFBY aims to provide financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/damage due to unforeseen events.
  • It stabilizes the income of farmers and encourages them to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices.
  • The scheme provides a uniform premium of only 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops.
  • In the case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium is 5%.
• National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
  • Launched in 1995, NSAP is a welfare program to provide financial assistance to the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities in the form of social pensions.
  • The scheme includes Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme.
  • It is a centrally sponsored scheme funded by the Government of India and implemented by state governments.
  • The program aims to ensure a minimum national standard for social assistance benefits.