Correct Option
The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The assessment of poverty in India involves analyzing trends in the headcount ratio (percentage of poor), the absolute number of poor people, and the structural efficacy of government policies. While economic growth has impacted poverty levels, regional disparities and the nature of policy interventions remain critical areas of evaluation.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: While the absolute number of poor people remained high or increased for several decades post-independence due to rapid population growth, official estimates (such as those by the Tendulkar Committee) indicate a decline in the absolute number of poor in the more recent decades (e.g., from 407 million in 2004-05 to 269 million in 2011-12). Thus, in the overall assessment, the absolute count has eventually shown a downward trend.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The proportion of poor people is not uniform across all states. There is a significant regional disparity in poverty levels. States like Bihar, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh have poverty ratios significantly higher than the national average, whereas states like Kerala, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh have ratios well below the national average.
- Statement 3 is Correct: A major critique of India's poverty alleviation strategy is that it has largely focused on providing food security (PDS) and wage employment (MGNREGA) rather than ensuring a radical transformation in the ownership of assets. Structural measures like land reforms were only partially successful, meaning the poor often lack the productive assets (land, capital) necessary to generate independent, sustainable income.
Key Takeaway
Regional disparity is a defining feature of Indian poverty, with some states lagging significantly behind the national average. Furthermore, poverty alleviation has historically relied more on income transfers and subsidies rather than structural asset redistribution.