With a significant proportion of India's population expected to live in urban areas by 2030, the welfare of the urban poor needs to take centre-stage in public policy. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words)
Introduction
At present, about 31% of India's population lives in urban areas. Unsurprisingly, it is projected by July that the number of urban poor is expected to grow.
27 words
Main Body
Shift to urban areas:
1. All job opportunities are clustered near cities. (eg: National Capital Territory)
2. Search for better living conditions: better education, better healthcare in
Current status of urban poor:
1. Improper public space - eg: parks, pathways, streetlamps etc.
2. Sub-standard living conditions in slums, crammed apartments (leads to domestic violence too)
3. Improper amenities: such as running water, electricity, sanitation
3. Improper amenities: such as running water, electricity, sanitation
Need for urban-poor centric policies:
Thus, provision of basic facilities must also be augmented by the following measures:
1. Food security: such as one nation one nation card for migrants.
2. Social security: such as some unemployment benefits (eg: Rajasthan's urban unemployment guarantee)
3. Gender-sensitive administration: that takes into account student disparity in pay, structural violence perpetrated by women, etc.
Besides this, rural development via self help groups and rural livelihood mission to augment income could curb unnecessary migration to urban areas and promote 'sakha sakha' and 'sakha vikasas'
Thus, provision of basic facilities must also be augmented by the following measures:
1. Food security: such as one nation one nation card for migrants.
2. Social security: such as some unemployment benefit (eg: Rajasthan's urban employment guarantee)
3. Gender-sensitive administration: that takes into account student disparity in pay, structural violence perpetrated by women, etc.
Beside this, rural development via self help groups and rural livelihood mission to augment income could curb unnecessary migration to urban areas and promote 'sakha sakha and sakha vikasas'
Conclusion
Provision of basic facilities through food security, social security, and gender-sensitive administration, combined with rural development initiatives, can address urban poor welfare while curbing unnecessary migration.
26 words
- Clear statistics (31% urban population)
- Identifies pull factors for urban migration
- Addresses multiple dimensions of urban poverty
BHAVIKA CHOFRA
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India / Urbanization, their problems and their remedies
Urbanization and poverty
Urban poor and public policy
361
Total words
6
Paragraphs
analytical and descriptive
Tone