NCERT Class 11 Economics — Chapter 4: Poverty

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In the context of poverty alleviation strategies in India, the approach focused on providing basic amenities envisages that:

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AThe government should stop all wage employment programmes and focus only on self-employment.
BAll public sector units should be privatized to generate efficiency.
CPoverty can be eradicated solely by increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
DThe poor need to be supplemented with social consumption in the form of essential food grains, education, and health.

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Solution

The correct option is The poor need to be supplemented with social consumption in the form of essential food grains, education, and health..

Explanation

The strategy for poverty alleviation in India has historically operated across three distinct dimensions:

Growth-oriented approach: Relying on GDP growth to trickle down to the poor.
Income and employment generation: Creating specific wage and self-employment opportunities.
Providing minimum basic amenities: Addressing poverty by directly supplying essential services to improve the quality of life.

Option Analysis

Poverty can be eradicated solely by increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). is Incorrect: This statement reflects the growth-oriented approach. The basic amenities approach was developed precisely because the trickle-down effect of GDP growth was found to be insufficient in directly improving the living standards of the poor.
The poor need to be supplemented with social consumption in the form of essential food grains, education, and health. is Correct: The basic amenities approach envisages that poverty is not merely a lack of income but a deprivation of essential needs. It posits that the poor require supplementation through social consumption-public expenditure on food grains (PDS), education, health, water supply, and sanitation. This ensures a minimum standard of living even without high personal income.
The government should stop all wage employment programmes and focus only on self-employment. is Incorrect: Wage employment programmes (such as MGNREGA) are a critical component of the second approach (Income and employment generation). The government utilizes a mix of strategies rather than focusing solely on self-employment.
All public sector units should be privatized to generate efficiency. is Incorrect: Privatization is associated with structural economic reforms and efficiency, not the specific strategy of providing basic amenities, which relies heavily on state intervention and public spending.

Key Takeaway: The basic amenities approach targets the multidimensional nature of poverty by ensuring access to public goods (social consumption) like nutrition, housing, and healthcare, independent of household income.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Poverty

The 'Growth-oriented approach' to poverty reduction was based on which of the following expectations?

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the categorization of poverty: 1. The 'Chronic Poor' category includes only those who are never poor. 2. The 'Churning Poor' are those who regularly move in and out of poverty. 3. The 'Transient Poor' category includes both the churning poor and the occasionally poor. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the impact of British rule on the Indian economy: 1. The British policies involved lowering rural taxes to support small farmers. 2. Under British rule, India was transformed from an exporter of manufactured cloth to an exporter of raw cotton. 3. The main goal of the British Raj was to develop India into a self-sufficient industrial power. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which of the following are cited as general, economy-wide problems causing poverty in India? 1. Low capital formation 2. Lack of infrastructure 3. Lack of demand 4. Pressure of population Select the correct answer using the code given below:

easy

Consider the following statements regarding land distribution and agriculture in India: 1. Since independence, the government has attempted to redistribute land from those with large amounts to those who have none. 2. The land redistribution move was fully successful in making all agricultural workers productive. 3. Small farmers often possess land that is less fertile and dependent on rains. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The correct option is The poor need to be supplemented with social consumption in the form of essential food grains, education, and health..

Explanation

The strategy for poverty alleviation in India has historically operated across three distinct dimensions:

Growth-oriented approach: Relying on GDP growth to trickle down to the poor.
Income and employment generation: Creating specific wage and self-employment opportunities.
Providing minimum basic amenities: Addressing poverty by directly supplying essential services to improve the quality of life.

Option Analysis

Poverty can be eradicated solely by increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). is Incorrect: This statement reflects the growth-oriented approach. The basic amenities approach was developed precisely because the trickle-down effect of GDP growth was found to be insufficient in directly improving the living standards of the poor.
The poor need to be supplemented with social consumption in the form of essential food grains, education, and health. is Correct: The basic amenities approach envisages that poverty is not merely a lack of income but a deprivation of essential needs. It posits that the poor require supplementation through social consumption-public expenditure on food grains (PDS), education, health, water supply, and sanitation. This ensures a minimum standard of living even without high personal income.
The government should stop all wage employment programmes and focus only on self-employment. is Incorrect: Wage employment programmes (such as MGNREGA) are a critical component of the second approach (Income and employment generation). The government utilizes a mix of strategies rather than focusing solely on self-employment.
All public sector units should be privatized to generate efficiency. is Incorrect: Privatization is associated with structural economic reforms and efficiency, not the specific strategy of providing basic amenities, which relies heavily on state intervention and public spending.