Correct Option
The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
Poverty alleviation programmes in India are broadly categorized into wage employment programmes and self-employment programmes. Wage employment programmes aim to provide unskilled manual work to beneficiaries in return for wages, serving as a safety net against unemployment and poverty.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Government of India has implemented numerous wage employment programmes over the decades to alleviate poverty. Historical examples include the National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) and the Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP). Currently, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a flagship initiative in this domain.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is the largest and most significant wage employment programme in India. It guarantees at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
- Statement 3 is Correct. Wage employment programmes are generally more prominent in rural areas. The massive scale of MGNREGA covers the entire rural landscape. In contrast, urban poverty alleviation schemes (such as the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission or DAY-NULM) have traditionally focused more on self-employment and skill development rather than direct government-guaranteed wage employment, although some states have recently introduced specific urban employment guarantee schemes.
Key Takeaway
Key Takeaway: The Indian government utilizes a mix of strategies for poverty alleviation. Wage employment is the dominant strategy in rural areas (exemplified by MGNREGA), whereas urban areas have historically emphasized self-employment and skilling.