Anti-Poverty Objectives-Part 1

It is a most distressing feature of our life on this planet that over 2 billion people live under conditions of extreme poverty. Fortunate human beings will do well to think seriously of these unfortunate people and do something to console them. How we can make a beginning to improve the situation. The first step is to frame a set of clear objectives for poverty elimination. Let us consider them in some detail. This is attempted through a series of articles on anti poverty objectives.

Any solution to the problem of poverty must focus attention on the two areas of needs and resources. Scarce resourcs must be conserved and augmented. Needs have to be determined according to an order of priority and with relevance to the poor people, i.e, those who do not have two meals a day.

The growing gap between needs and resources compels us to realize the necessity to conserve and increase the quantum of resources, to curtail the needs consistent with anti poverty objectives. This must be the national objectives of governments facing the problem. They lay emphasis on providing increased income for the individual through productive employment and by generating employment opportunities. Leaders in power, outside and in the opposition in democracies have the responsibility to see that their actions positively support these objectives, which are explained below.

1.To reduce the rate of growth of population

This helps to achieve balance needs and resources. Needs have to be curtailed in terms of variety and magnitude and to meet the available resources. This will also reduce the pressure on resources for poverty abolition. Gradually the country will reduce unemployment and the per capita income will rise. Law and order problems will show a declining trend and will be more manageable. The improved standard of living will reduce the scope for agitations.