G. A. Qureshi
Poverty is a social phenomenon in which a section of society is unable to fulfil the very basic necessities of life. The menace of poverty is interwoven with unemployment and underdevelopment. Although, for poverty reduction, economic growth is believed to be important, but, economic growth alone cannot solve all poverty related problems. It needs to be coupled with need based poverty alleviating programmes and employment generation schemes for poor and marginalized sections of society.
Poverty removal has been a major objective of development planning in India since 1951 The long term objectives of economic planning were spelt out in various plan documents. The main objectives of planning are:
* Rapid economic growth
* Self-reliance
* Removal of unemployment
* Removal of inequalities
* Elimination of poverty
* Modernisation
India has enormous growth potential compared to other emerging economies with implementation of comprehensive reforms. But in order to achieve the wellbeing of everyone inclusive development is needed.
Along with national economy Jammu and Kashmir economy has also registered impressive growth in recent past. But, the growth has not been equally and fairly distributed over various areas and different sections of society. The incidence of poverty has gone down considerably, both on rural and urban areas, but poverty still persists in various manifestations.
The available official data (BPL survey 2007-08 of J&K state) reveals that seven poorest districts in the state are Reasi, Ramban, Kishtwar, Poonch, Kargil, Kupwara and Bandipora. These districts have more than 30% population below poverty line. The worst incidence is exhibited in hilly and remotely located districts. Regions of Pirpanjal range, Chenab valley and the entire border belt of Gurez (Bandipora), Machil Keran Karnah (Kupwara) have demonstrated high levels of poverty and backwardness.
Jammu and Kashmir embarked upon its development from 1951, as a part of all India five year planning process. J&K economy currently is undergoing a critical phase of reconstruction and rehabilitation. It calls for building suitable organisational structures and institutional arrangements, which would integrate the people into Government processes.
J&K economy heavily suffered on infrastructure, in both physical and social terms during last three decades because of disturbed conditions, the effort to reduce infrastructural gap is on and is being addressed. To facilitate any smooth process of development, good governance and people involvement is the primary requirement. Peace and harmony are also important factors of growth and development. Since, J&K is still recovering from turmoil that has knocked it badly, efforts need to be taken to improve standards of living of people of this distressed region
The following measures if adopted with good intention may prove path breaking for poverty reduction in the state:
i. Expanding opportunities for the poor people through the process of accelerated economic growth and expanding the asset base of poor people and increasing the returns on these assets
ii. Enhancing security essential for poverty reduction
iii. Empowerment of poor through human resource development, such as education and skill enhancement
iv. Agricultural growth involving marginal and small holders
v. Government focus on poorest inhabitants and most vulnerable
vi. Eradication of child labour by providing subsidies for school enrollment
For achieving faster and sustainable growth, focussed attention has to be given to productive sectors which have higher growth potential, and diversification of our recognised sectors of comparative advantage. The correct strategy for development of the state would mean that the highest priority be given to expansion of power and transport. Next agriculture and allied activities like horticulture, floriculture, sericulture, poultry, sheep and dairy development in an integrated manner, could go a long way in transforming rural economy. The development of handicrafts/ handlooms, information technology and tourism need to be given topmost consideration. In order to achieve objective of sustainable development it’s imperative to use bestowed natural resources judiciously.
Decentralisation and political development is also regarded as a necessary condition of socio-economic development. Nurturing a sense of empowerment among people is an imperative step for creation of a better and peaceful society, and for preservation of that peace and stability, political stability is important. By means of continuous and sincere development efforts, peaceful atmosphere and political stability, coupled with active and willing people’s participation, state economy can move on higher growth trajectory. Effective participation of people is pivotal to lend motivational support to the planning process. It leads to self-sustained development.
The scheduled tribe population and other unprivileged sections of society have been at the receiving end in the process of economic development. The incidence of poverty has been observed to be highest in scheduled tribe population (42.05%) followed by other backward classes (38.07%) and scheduled caste (22.77%).planning for development has to address the development concerns and issues of all communities to create in them a sense of participation and unity. The upliftment of the poor, marginalised sections of the society should be the key element of the development strategy.
The allocation of District plans over the period has not followed an increased trend which is attributed to the transfer of bulk of revenue expenditure from plan to non-plan budget of Jammu and Kashmir. The district plan outlay as a whole has remained below 35% of the total state plan outlay. However, district plans have been made exclusively capital expenditure plans from the financial year 2015-16. The development plan of the district should broadly include all the relevant details about district plans as per the guidelines of the planning department, District Credit Plan, state sector schemes/ centrally sponsored schemes which are implemented in the district, Non plan grants under maintenance and capital account, MPLAD/CDF, Negotiated Loans and schemes/ programmes of cooperatives/ NGO’s.
Allocation of various districts should be made in accordance with the norms based on multi- indicator formula including poverty and backward indices. After examining the formulae and criteria recommended by erstwhile Planning Commissions GOI, Union Finance Commissions and State Finance Commissions, the following criteria for resource allocation to districts and blocks in J&K, is suggested:
The District Development Plan is suggested to be disintegrated into three components viz; District component, Block component and Panchayat component in the ratio of 30:20:50 respectively.
The aggregate district shares/Entitlements should be based on suggested formula of population (weight-50), Reported area (Weight-10) and backwardness (Weight -40).
The ethos of democracy can find real nourishment when power reaches the grassroots. In a vast county where large numbers of people are unlettered, village Panchayats and participatory democracy can fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people. There is an urgent need of strengthening PRI’s and ULBs by developing requisite powers, functions, finances and functionaries. Panchayats should be fully empowered to take their decisions without any political interference. However, transparency and accountability have to be assured to check unauthorised utilization of public money. Besides creating and strengthening planning/statistical machinery at district/block/panchayat level for good and meaningful local area planning, immediate consideration of Government regarding this matter is needed.
The fight against poverty shall continue to be waged by accelerating the pace of economic growth and making it more inclusive and job oriented and by adopting a pro poor strategy of growth. Not just the Government, but every citizen needs to make an effort in order to uplift the poor. As in the words of Nelson Mandela, “Poverty is not an accident, it is man-made and can be removed by actions of human beings.”
(The author is former DG Planning, Development & Monitoring Department, J&K)
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