There has been a significant decline of poverty in Kerala, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. Write about the principle measures taken in these states.
The proportion of poor people is not the same in every state of India. State level poverty has declined due to the initiatives taken by the state governments. In twenty states and Union Territories, the poverty ratio is less than the national average. Following are the factors that helped Kerala, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh in reducing poverty:
- Kerala has succeeded in reducing poverty by investing in human resource development. It is the highest literate state of the country.
- West Bengal has introduced ‘Operation Barga’ or land reform movement which largely protected the interests of the sharecroppers (bargadars) and prevented them from exploitation of land owners. This reform measure helped to reduce poverty.
- In Andhra Pradesh, public distribution of food grains was responsible for the improvement.