Congress successfully tackling urban poverty

For Congress removal of poverty is crucial. It has been made one of the primary objectives of planning in India under the Congress governments. Several policy and programme initiatives aimed at reducing incidence of poverty have been taken over the years. The urban poverty issue has been given increasing attention. Elimination of poverty is being treated as thrust area. Congress President Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of National Advisory Council, particularly took notice that overall results of economic development and growth were not trickling down to the lower income strata. Accordingly, Congress government is giving considerable emphasis on the need to improve the living conditions of slum dwellers. It has further taken note that in order to be effective, the problem of urban poverty would require a major thrust towards employment generation and creation of productive jobs. In line with this major thrust the Congress government strategy now includes provision for gainful employment to the unemployed, particularly women and youth, raising earnings of those in low paid jobs. Two specific programmes have been launched: the urban basic service programme, and the self-employment programme for the urban poor.

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