The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Government of India has historically implemented various poverty alleviation programmes categorized into wage employment schemes and self-employment schemes. These initiatives targeted specific demographics, such as the rural poor, the urban poor, or the educated unemployed, to generate income and sustainable livelihoods.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY), launched in 1993, specifically aimed at creating self-employment opportunities for the educated unemployed youth (aged 18-35 years) from low-income families in both rural and urban areas. It provided financial assistance to set up micro-enterprises.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY), launched in 1997, was exclusively designed for urban areas ("Shahari" translates to Urban). It aimed to provide gainful employment to the urban unemployed or underemployed poor. The counterpart scheme for rural areas was the Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY).
- Statement 3 is Correct: Prior to 2015, schemes like PMRY, SJSRY, and SGSY were the primary instruments for poverty alleviation through self-employment. Over time, these were restructured or merged into newer missions such as the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), and the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
Key Takeaway:
SJSRY targeted the urban poor ("Shahari"), whereas SGSY targeted the rural poor ("Gram"). PMRY specifically focused on the educated unemployed youth across both rural and urban sectors.