Niti Aayog Report Reveals Significant Progress in India’s Fight Against Multidimensional Poverty

Source: The Hindu

       Introduction:

• NITI Aayog, the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, recently released its eagerly anticipated report, titled ‘National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023.’
• This report brings to light the remarkable strides made by India in addressing multidimensional poverty, showcasing the efforts to uplift millions from deprivation and hardship.
• The report’s findings underscore India’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 1.2 and offer insights into the nation’s path towards a more inclusive and prosperous future.

Understanding the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMPI):

• The NMPI, developed in partnership with organizations like the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), serves as a crucial tool for gauging and tackling poverty in its various dimensions.
• Utilizing the Alkire-Foster (AF) methodology, the index takes into account three fundamental dimensions – health, education, and standard of living.
• It analyzes a range of indicators, including nutrition, child and adolescent mortality, maternal care, education, access to basic amenities like sanitation, drinking water, electricity, financial inclusion, and ownership of assets.
• The Baseline Report of the NMPI was derived from data collected during the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 4 conducted in 2015-16.

Key Findings of the Report:

• The most striking revelation of the report is the significant decline in multidimensional poverty in India between 2015-16 and 2019-21.
• The number of people moving out of poverty has surged to a record-breaking 13.5 crore, signifying a substantial decrease in the poverty rate by 9.89 percentage points. In 2015-16, the poverty rate stood at 24.85%, and it has since dropped to 14.96% in 2019-21.

Progressiveness in Rural Areas:

• The report demonstrates that rural areas have witnessed the most accelerated decline in multidimensional poverty.
• During the mentioned period, rural poverty rates decreased from 32.59% to 19.28%.
• This indicates that various government schemes and initiatives aimed at rural development have yielded promising results, uplifted the lives of millions in the countryside, and provided them with better access to healthcare, education, and improved living conditions.

Regional Progress:

• The report highlights specific regions that have shown remarkable progress in reducing poverty. Uttar Pradesh (UP) takes the lead in this regard, with a staggering 3.43 crore individuals breaking free from multidimensional poverty.
• States like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan have also made noteworthy strides, successfully decreasing the proportion of multidimensional poor within their borders.

Path towards SDG Targets:

• India’s efforts to combat multidimensional poverty align well with the global SDG framework.
• The report indicates that the country is on track to achieve SDG Target 1.2, which aims to reduce multidimensional poverty by at least 50% by 2030.
• This remarkable progress indicates that India is steadfast in its commitment to creating a more equitable society and lifting its citizens out of poverty.

The Conclusion:

• The ‘National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023’ report by NITI Aayog showcases the transformative impact of the government’s policies and initiatives on poverty reduction in India.
• The decline in multidimensional poverty, particularly in rural areas, signifies a significant step towards achieving sustainable development goals.
• With continued dedication to addressing poverty in all its dimensions, India is forging a path towards a brighter and more prosperous future for its citizens.