bpl survey summary english 2013

7/29/2019 BPL Survey Summary English 2013

1/25

Dr. Awadh PrasadDirector

Dr. Amit KumarDy. Director

Kumarappa Institute of Gram SwarajB-190, University Marg, Bapu Nagar

Jaipur (Rajasthan)302015

2013

B.P.L. Families Programs and their Impact[Study to examine the impact of support to B.P.L. families in Rajasthan]

Dr. Awadh PrasadDirector

Dr. Amit KumarDy. Director

Kumarappa Institute of Gram SwarajB-190, University Marg, Bapu Nagar

Jaipur (Rajasthan)302015

2013

B.P.L. Families Programs and their Impact[Study to examine the impact of support to B.P.L. families in Rajasthan]


2/25

B.P.L. FamiliesPrograms and their Impact[Study to examine the impact of support to B.P.L. families in Rajasthan]

Summary of the Research Project

(Sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research)

DirectorDr. Awadh Prasad

Dy. DirectorDr. Amit Kumar

Kumarappa Institute of Gram Swaraj

B-190, University Marg, Bapu Nagar

Jaipur302015 (Rajasthan)

2013


3/25

1

1. IntroductionIt is not easy to measure and decide the poverty line. Much more difficult is to

come on a common consensus. It is natural to have different levels of poverty during

different time periods. Different communities living in different parts of the country are

unlikely to have same levels of poverty. Generally poverty refers to economic poverty

but if we see it in broader perspective it can be social, educational, health, etc.

However, root cause of all types of poverty is economic poverty. It is a well established

fact that if economic poverty is eradicated, the chances of coming out of other types of

backwardness would also be increased.

Economic scholars have played an important role in defining poverty,

explaining it and its measurement. One cannot forget the contribution of Dr. Ram

Manohar Lohiya (1963) after whose analysis, some serious work was started on this

issue. Preliminary works were also done by Prof. Dandekar and Prof. Rath.

In the process of poverty eradication, it is important to look into the process of

identification of poor and the programmes taken up to bring him out of the poverty trap.

Who is poor and what its parameters are, is decided by a special process taken up by

the government. It is expected that the selected poor family would move forward to

reduce its poverty and slowly and steadily he would come out of it. It would be an

important study to see how far the selected poor family has come out of its poverty. We

can divide the facilities, relief and monetary support given to poor families under

different programmes into two broad categories:

1. Facilities given as relief measure such as low priced food grains, free healthfacility, kerosene oil, electric connection, Indira Awaas Yojana, etc.

2. Support given with the aim of reducing poverty such as help in starting selfemployment such as shop, dairy, camel-bull cart, other income generating

activities. Priority given under MGNREGA also generates employment for the

poor family.

With the above background the following aims have been identified for the study.


4/25

2

2. Aims of the Project:

To analyze the status of selected BPL families.

To analyze the impact of different poverty eradication drives conducted by the

government during different phases for the selected BPL families.

To find the correlation between different factors responsible for poverty

eradication with different programmes launched for this purpose so that the

utility of the interventions could be analyzed.

3. Research Questions / Hypothesis:

A set standard has been fixed to ascertain those families which are really poor,

i.e. a standardized criterion is set up to mark the BPL families. Are these criteria

and standards substantial in marking the real BPL families?

What have been the comparative conditions and situations of poverty

eradication of those families, which have been marked as BPL just once, and

those marked more than once?

What are the aids and resources supplied for poverty eradication and are these

aids and resources advantageous and according to the needs of those for whom

they are meant?

To what extent these aids and resources were utilized and how much

advantageous were they from monetary point of view?

Was there an improvement in the health, work potential, and living standard of

the BPL families because of these helps and resources?

What is the effect of these aids and resources on women and children?

What is their contribution in increasing employment and income of the family?

What are the problems related to aids and resources given to the BPL families

and what is their own opinion about the solution of these problems?

What are the reasons as to why some families are marked as BPL family more

than once?

What and how much is the contribution of developmental aids in poverty

elimination of the BPL families?


5/25

3

4. Research Methodology:

Methodologies employed are the standard social science investigational process.

It comprises of study of secondary data, field survey, focused group discussions,

interviews, case study and participatory rural appraisal.

(a) Coverage:

(i) The universe of study was 5 districts viz. Jaipur, Tonk, Sikar, Udaipurand Bikaner. In each district one Gram Panchayat was identified for the

study.

(ii) Sampling Frame and Procedure: List of all the BPL families selected ineach panchayat was collected, starting from 1984 to 2002. The list was

classified according to (i) social status SC/ST/OBC/Others (ii) size of

land holding (iii) repetition in selection. About 50 families in each

district were identified for survey based on above criteria. Total 260

BPL families were identified.

(b) Data Collection

The following methodology was adopted to collect information at different

stages of research.

Stage I

Secondary data both published and unpublished were consulted. Additional

information from government departments related to BPL such as DRDA, rural

development, panchayat samiti was reviewed. Apart from these periodicals,

articles, books, reviews, etc. were also made use of.

Family schedule was prepared to get first hand information of BPL families,

which included questions regarding their socio-economic conditions,

employment status etc.

Stage II

Rajasthan can be divided into three categories based on geographical and socio-

economic conditions of the people. (i) Tribal area (Udaipur) (ii) Desert area

(Bikaner, Sikar) (iii) Plain area (Jaipur, Tonk). Efforts have been made to

represent all the three areas in the survey.


6/25

4

Stage III

Process of selection of sampleIn every selected district after discussions with

DRDA and rural development officials, panchayat samiti was selected for

survey. In the selection of panchayat samiti, the availability of BPL family list

was kept in mind. Sometimes the old BPL list is not available. After the

selection of panchayat samiti, gram panchayat was selected for field survey.

The selection of gram panchayat was done after consultation with

representatives of PRIs keeping in mind the balanced representation of all the

categories of BPL families such as SC/ST/OBC/general in the survey.

Stage IV

Focused Group Discussions (FGD), case studies and interviews was an

important source of information. In this apart from the male head of the family

the women were also consulted. At the village level FGDs with the selected

BPL families were done in which all the socio-economic groups were invited.

The points of discussions were in accordance with the research questions. Both

male and females took part in the discussions.

The questions rose from FGDs and conclusions drawn from interviews and casestudies was further substantiated by PRA. This has helped in assessing the

seriousness of the problem and different dimensions which are related to the

problem.

(c) Data Analysis

All the schedules were processed through computer while the field study was

supplemented by PRA, FGD, interviews and case studies.

During the selection of sampling frame the geographical and social context of

Rajasthan was taken into consideration. Subsequently 5 districts covering all areas of

Rajasthan were selected. The districts selected were Jaipur, Tonk, Bikaner, Sikar and

Udaipur. In each district all the villages of one gram panchayat of a panchayat samiti

was selected. In the selection process cooperation of Panchayat Samiti officials, local

social organization and PRIs was taken. The details of sample selection are as follows:


7/25

5

S.

No.

Gram Panchayat

Panchayat Samiti

District

SC ST OBC General Total

1. Chandel Kalan

ChaksuJaipur

29 3 14 9 55

2. Khandel

Sambhar

Jaipur

21 -- 17 1 39

3. Bigga

Sridungargarh

Bikaner

20 -- 10 20 50

4. Garinda

Fatehpur

Sikar

9 -- 12 4 25

5. Khandewat

Niwai

Tonk

10 4 17 4 35

6. Devas

Jhadol

Udaipur

-- 47 -- 9 56

7. Total 89

(34%)

54

(21%)

70

(27%)

47

(18%)

260

(100%)

I. During the study various problems came up at various levels which show the

limitations of the study. Families living below poverty line have been selected

from time to time. There was a lack of availability of the list of selected BPL

families in different stages. There was difficulty in getting the first list which

was made in 1991. There were more than one list at the gram panchayat and

panchayat samiti level. There was a difference in the list prepared by the state

government and the one which is prepared every five years by the central

government. The lists were made more than once and it was seen that names

have been added at a later stage too. The surveyed families were selected on the

basis of certain criteria after looking at all the lists available at the gram

panchayat level. In this work good support was received from PR

representatives, senior citizens and local teachers.

II. The calculation of poverty of the poor is a technicalprocess. Its a big question

in front of the government, economist, and academician that who should be

considered as a poor person. There has been a lot of serious thinking-discussion,


8/25

6

survey-studies on this question in the past as well as in the present. It is right to

conclude that till date there has been no unanimous decision on this issue. But it

is very important for the government and P.I.A. (Project Implementation

Agency) to identify the poverty line and do the selection of people living below

poverty line so that they can be given benefits of poverty alleviation programs

of the government. The government identifies B.P.L families on the basis of

1. NSS survey

2. Recommendation given by the expert committee.

The Planning Commission has been independently evaluating different facts

available to them. The Planning Commission has been taking 1973 as the baseyear for BPL families and they have concluded that the number of BPL families

has been decreasing since then. According to them in 1973 the percentage of

BP.L families was 45.9; in 1983 it decreased to 44.3%, 36% in 1993 and 27.5%

in 2004. There have been changes in the criteria in the selection of poor

families. In 1992 the criteria of selection of the BPL families was income, in

1997 it changed to consumption, in 2001 the families was selected on the basis

of 13 parameters which included land, house, clothes, food security, education,

etc. There were certain criteria where availability ensures automatic selection

whereas availability of certain things automatically rejects the BPL status.

Disadvantage groups such as people without any facility support, dependent,

dalits, tribal groups, freed bonded labor, etc. are automatically selected as BPL

families.

III. The state government has surveyed and circulated the names of BPL families in

every gram panchayat, panchayat samiti and district. After analyzing the year

2012 BPL list we get detail information about the families selected as BPL and

non BPL. In Rajasthan the total no. of families are 93,98,123; out of which

21,70,120 (23%) families have been selected as BPL families. Vast differences

can be seen in the number of BPL families across different districts in the states.

The % of families in tribal districts such as Dungarpur and Banswara is 56%

and 52% respectively where as in Sikar it is 8% and Jhunjhunun 5%. Looking

into the Panchayat Samiti details of Sikar district Fatehpur has 8% and Sambhar


9/25

7

Panchayat Samiti of Jaipur district has 9 % BPL families in 2012 census. The

details of selected families in the surveyed gram panchayat are as follows

Chandel Kalan 56.87, Khandel 37.07, Bigga 37.06, Khandewat 36.26, Garinda

20.54 and Devas 81.63. For survey purpose, the no. of families has been

selected after taking into consideration the entire list available at different

stages.

The following conclusion has been summarized after analyzing the BPL

families in different stage at the gram panchayat level.

1. The numbers of families who have more than one member selected asBPL are few. If we add all the gram panchayat then the number offamilies whose more than one member is selected as BPL is 8%, i.e. out

of 3,115 families 235 families are such that who has more than one

member (close relative) selected as BPL member.

2. If we see the case of a person being selected more than once then itcomes out to 11%. 357 persons are such who have been selected as BPL

more than once. In this, all gram panchayats have been taken into

consideration.

3. If we see the number of persons who have been selected from the samefamily. Then it comes out 36% (109) for Khandel gram panchayat

whereas there is no one in Garinda whose other family members have

been selected in the BPL list. Their percentage in other gram panchayat

is between 7-11. In Bigga it is 2%.

4. In all the gram panchayat the same persons has been selected more thanonce. It is maximum 31% in Khandewat (Niwai, Tonk) and minimum

2% in Devas (Udaipur). In Devas it is 16% that is 196 in number. In

tribal areas the persons who have been selected more than once is more -

total no. of selection is also more. In other panchayat this figure between

2-7%.

5. Selection of a person more than once or selection of close familymembers depends upon local situation, family condition. During

discussion with people and within the group it was realized that such


10/25

8

selection is necessary. Looking into the economic situation and

disability of the person the selection should be justified.

IV. In the surveyed sample efforts have been made to find out the socio-economic

status of 260 identified families. Also we have tried to find out the

implementation of the BPL support schemes and their impact on the

beneficiary. Peoples perception about the impact of the project has been

recorded too. This gives us an understanding about the impact and rough idea

about its direction. 260 BPL families were surveyed as the sample. Their social

status can be summarized as -

1. Geographical differences have an impact on the social structure of theselected families e.g. the social status of the families in tribal area is

different than the one in S.C. dominated area. The situation is different

in general areas. It is natural that they have different tradition and

customs, belief, social discrimination, socialcultural traditions, etc.

2. If we exclude the S.T. dominated areas then the representation of S.C.and general category is reasonable in the survey.

3. The data shows that the poor family was given preference in theselection. The families which are socially week are also economically

poor. There can be some exception whose main reason is human

weakness. Thus based on the facts we can conclude that person who is

socially poor have been taken care during the selection process.

If we analyses the population and work force of the selected BPL families we

find that (1) the population of young people below 18 years of age is 37%, out

of which 53% are boys and 47% are girls (2) The population of people between

19 to 60 years is 50%, out of which 52% are male and 48% are female (3)

persons above 60 years of age are 7%, male 46% and female 54% (4) in the

selected families 3% were widow, 2% handicapped and 1% depended.

Therefore on the basis of survey and observation we can say that widow,

handicapped and depended people were taken into consideration during

selection process.


11/25

9

Education level of a person influences his skill; capacity and attitude. 43% of

the surveyed families are illiterate. The facts regarding education and literacy

can be summarized in the following points below-

1. The level of education of the selected BPL families is low.2. Education status of women is weak.3. Education level is very weak pertaining to the technical skills and

prospects of development.

4. In recent years there has been increase in interest regarding childrenbeing sent to school.

5. The selected BPL families are getting support from the governmentwhich increases the possibilities of improving educational level in

future.

During the survey it was seen that the selected BPL families housing facilities

has been improved. At the time of selection 29% families were living in

jhopadi whereas at present this has decreased to 20%. At present 55%

families live in mud house whereas at the time of selection it was 94%. Today

25% families have semi pucca house, at the time of selection 14% of families

had 1-2 pucca rooms, and this has increased to 17% at present. Nearly all the

families had made one pucca room from security point of view. Housing

facilities also include kitchen, toilet, washroom but these facilities are not

available at present. Food is made according to the convenience and facilities

available in the house. The following points are worth considering when we talk

about housing

1. People feel the need of half pucca house, according to the needs,geographical and environmental reasons. All the families take this into

consideration and were found making necessary changes in their present

housing facilities.

2. During last ten years efforts are being made to increase the housingfacilities. People`s understanding has also increased in this regard.

3. Improvement has seen from economic point of view at two stages.i) Improvement in own house from self saving, labor and skills.


12/25

10

ii) House made under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY).4. Pucca house does not mean a well furnished house. Pucca house is made

at the local level from the available local resources, for once needs and

priorities.

5. The selected BPL families are getting housing facilitiesPersons selected once or more than once

While taking information regarding the selection process we tried to find out

under what circumstances the person is selected more than once. Interestingly, the

selection of a person more than once is not the same in all the areas. If we see this in

terms of total selection then we find that 43% of the BPL families have been selectedtwice and 9% three times. Persons who have been selected more than once are 9% in

Chandel Kalan, 64% in Khandel, 2% in Bigga, 68% in Garinda, 83% in Khandewat

and 61% in Dewas. The following results have been obtained on the basis survey and

group discussions.

1. There has been difference in the number of persons selected more than once indifferent areas.

2. Number of selection more than two times is less.3. The families who have been selected more than once were economically poor,

old, and dependent. Generally, when a person is selected more than once, at the

time of selection the selector or local group makes it clear that he is really poor

and his re-selection is necessary. Sometimes wrong persons are also selected

due to human error. The reasons are mostly local.

Selected Relatives

It is also seen that the near relatives of the selected BPL families are also

selected. In the sample survey 7% of selected persons are father-son, 1% are uncle and

19% are brother, and 2% are mother. They have been selected as a result of the

following reasons -

Cooking food separately Separate economic set-up Weak economics Living separately because of family problems.


13/25

11

Basis of livelihood - Information was collected from selected families regarding the

sources of their livelihood. Agriculture and labor are the two main sources of

livelihood. In the village agriculture and labor are complimentary to each other. Even a

small piece of land becomes the basis of livelihood. Small piece of land is a big support

for food, fodder, milk (goat, cow, buffalo). Even today a person living in village

depends himself on agriculture.

Labor is the source of cash income. 60% of the surveyed families have accepted

agriculture as their source of income while 94% are dependent on labor. The relation

between these two can be seen as (1) agriculture and activities related to land are the

main sources of livelihood (2) labor is the main source of cash income (3) for theselected families agriculture, animal husbandry and labor are complimentary sources of

livelihood. Several important needs are covered under the various support and

incentives given in BPL scheme.

Land holding - It is the well established fact that land is a very important source of

livelihood. The people who are living below poverty line have very less land. Some of

the important finding which were collected during the survey of the BPL families

regarding their land holding is as follows-

1. Selected families have limited land for agriculture. There is difference in theareas of holding because of geographical reasons e.g. per family land holding in

Chaksu area (Jaipur) is 1.70 bigha, in desert area it is between 3-5 bigha and in

hilly areas it is 8.16 bigha (approx 2 hectare). (4 bigha=1 hectare)

2. Normally selected families do not have irrigation facilities as a result onlyKharif crop is possible.

3. Generally there has been no change in the area of land holding before or afterBPL selection.

Sources of irrigation - There is a lack of irrigation facilities on the agricultural land of

the selected families. The following facts have come out during the survey.

1. There is a lack of irrigation facilities among the selected families. Digging ofwell is not possible because of less land.


14/25

12

2. Wells are the main source of irrigation but due to a decrease in the undergroundwater table there is no water in the wells. Several areas have been declared as

Dark Zone. As a result no new wells can be dug up in these areas.

3. The wells that have water are shared among many families, each family gets achance to irrigate their fields on rotation basis.

4. Special economic support has been provided for wells in tribal areas, as a resultthe number of wells and irrigated areas has increased.

Animal husbandry - Agriculture and animal husbandry are complimentary to each

other but both are in a weak position. The following points have come out after making

a comparative analysis of the animals available with the selected families before andafter selection.

1. The number of animals is declining specially the big animal. Small animalssuch as sheep and goat are stable or increasing in some places.

2. In tribal areas due to environmental stability and due to special packageprogram the number of animals has increased.

3. In desert areas due to strong tradition in animal rearing their number hasincreased.

4. It is suggested that if more fodder is available, animals can increase.Production in agriculture - Production from agriculture helps in fulfilling food needs

of a family. Production by one self has special significance, it gives satisfaction. Food

grain produced on a limited piece of land gives a ray of hope for the family. Data shows

that there has been no significant difference in agriculture production before and after

selection. Before selection total production was 1341 quintal whereas it was 1374

quintal in the surveyed year. There has been some increase in kharif, rabi and

pulses. Per family production was 5.16 quintal which increased to 5.28 quintal in the

present year. The situation can be summarized as

1. The production has decreased due to lack of irrigation facility. There has beensome increase in the production in the surveyed year due to good rains.

2. Production is less as compared to the needs. Generally a family is able to securecoarse grain for a period of 5 to 6 months.


15/25

13

3. The production can increase if improved agriculture techniques are adopted andirrigation facilities are available.

Resources - facilities and their utilization Selected families have been given

various facilities under different programs. The direct impact of these facilities is

visible in their living, food, health and treatment. Main facilities availed by the

surveyed families are as follows -

1. House underIndira Awaas Yojana.2. Free medicines.3. Subsidized food grain.4. Free treatment in hospital5. Free electricity connection.6. Priority in other facilities.The summary of the available facts is presented in the following words

1. There has been some difference in the type and amount of facilities availed bydifferent selected BPL families.

2. There has been a lack of awareness in availing the facilities among the selectedBPL families.

3. Sometimes discrimination is also done and the person has to make severalrounds to the government offices. People have to face lots of problems in filling

up the formalities.

4. Selected BPL families give priority in taking ration and free medicines.Impact of services and facilities - It is natural that facilities and service given to

selected families have a positive impact on their livelihood and health. This impact onthe beneficiary family is visible in various information given by them. There is vast

difference in impact among various gram panchayats. There is no change in the health

status in Chandel Kalan, Khandel and Garinda. Only people in Khandewat have

realized the increase in working capacity as a result of services and facilities received

other areas do not realize the need of increased working capacity. Effect is realized in

(1) recovering from sickness (2) supply of food grains. These two facilities were


16/25

14

analyzed and their good effects are accepted. Answers received from the respondents

can be summarized as

1. All the beneficiaries have accepted the supply of food grains and employment inMGNREGA which ensures food security. It is expected that these two programs

will continue.

2. There are some problems in receiving services and facilities due to managementand human reasons, this should be removed.

3. Questions were raised as to how long the services of medicine, subsidized foodgrains etc. will continue.

4. Confidence has increased toward allopathic because of the free medicine andtreatment. People are concerned about how they will bear the heavy costs of

medicine and treatment when the facilities are withdrawn.

5. The facilities and support given to BPL families to come out of their povertydoes not increase their economic capacity. Under the circumstances the life will

be difficult when the facilities and support will reduce or stop.

Means of self employment - In order to make the selected BPL families economically

independent and bring them above the poverty line, they have to be given permanent

source of employment their self employment capacity should increase. This is also

envisaged in the program. The collected data shows that the people applying for self

employment are very less and also different forms of self employment are limited. In

the survey the selected families have received only animals under self employment

schemes. The data shows that only 60% of them have received animals out of which 30

have received sheep/goat, 21 received buffalo, 9 pig and 2 cows. MGNREGA has

become a major source of employment, 22% families have received employment under

MGNREGA. In short we can say that -

1. People asking for support under self employment are very less.2. Animals are not permanent source of employment since these families have

small land and less fodder.

3. Youth expect employment from the government.4. MGNREGA gives employment under a certain limit but this is labor, it does

give employment for the whole year.


17/25

15

5. For self employment apart from capacity and skill development new enterprisesshould also be developed keeping in mind the skills and capacity of the

beneficiaries.

6. There is lack of interest, risk taking ability, capacity and skill in the selectedyouth, this should also be taken into consideration.

Respondent views on poverty alleviation - Beneficiary views were taken to see how far

poverty has decreased as a result of facilities and services given to BPL families under

different programs implemented to reduce poverty. Two types of views were received

1. Poverty has reduced2. Poverty has not reduced

Both views were clearly put forward. 23% of the respondents felt that poverty

has decreased and they are moving forward in that direction. 77% were of the view that

economic poverty has not decreased and that the services and facilities giving to them

does not have any role in reducing poverty. The following remarks can be made based

on the facts and opinion of the people-

1. Facilities and service given to selected families provide relief to the people food, treatment and other facilities.

2. Very less example is there which shows that peoples poverty has decreased oreconomic prosperity has come because of the relief provided to them the

number of such people is very less.

3. Those who are able to reduce poverty, their own capacity and skill have playedan important role.

4. Apart from giving relief under BPL schemes, efforts should also be made togive training, providing tools for self employment and opportunity for income

generation.

5. It was emphasized that if the facility and services which are being provided atsubsidized rate or free of cost, are stopped then it will create problems for the

poor because they are not able to develop accordingly.

6. There has been increase in health, food and housing but this has not decreasedeconomic poverty, this is the general impression of most of the people.


18/25

16

Direction of Impact Group discussion was held with prominent persons in the field

area to know the impact, hurdles faced by the selected BPL families; their prospective

about development at the local level. The summarized information is as follows:-

1. With some restrictions, as a result of improvement in health, persons workingcapacity is increased and he is able to work longer. This can be treated as his

increased capacity to take up employment.

2. Increase in employment opportunity employment in MGNREGA hasincreased cash income.

3. Generally women go to MGNREGA for work. In some places women go inplace of men. Now days women are given preference, as a result some money is

collected in her name in the bank or post office. This was verified in various

discussions held in Niwai, Chaksu and other places. In this way there are more

chances that women get cash income in their hand in selected BPL families.

The main problems faced by selected families in receiving services and

facilities are as follows: -

1. The selected family does not have all the relevant information regardingsupport, services and facilities available to them.

2. People find it difficult to go to various offices and complete all the formalitiesin order to avail support, services and facilities. Illiterate, dependent, old people

and women face more difficulties.

3. Sometimes situation comes when people have to give money (bribe) in order toreceive benefits. Such situation generally comes while dealing with banks.

People have got a feeling that unless you spend money you will not get the

benefit; you will have to spend money in order to get something. Such thinking

in the minds of the poorest of the poor in the society in a matter of great

concern.

The selected BPL families have given their suggestions for the solution of the

above problem as

1. System should be developed such that all the information is provided at thebeneficiarys doorstep.


19/25

17

2. What should be done in order to avail the benefits and how it has to be done, allinformation should be given at a time.

3. Paper formality should be minimum. Nobody is able to understand bank papers.Documents should be in Hindi. System should be made such that all the

formalities are done with the support of a trusted person.

4. Complete information should be given regarding terms and conditions andmonetary benefits available under different schemes, services and facilities.

5. The problems regarding land and ownership of house under IAY should beresolved. People who are living at a place since ages should be recognized and

their ownership should be accepted.

6. All those works should be done while taking people into confidence and incordial atmosphere, for this help of social worker and NGO could be taken.

7. Family once selected as BPL should be considered as selected till there is anysignificant change in his status.

8. Dependent, old people, sick, helpless men/women should be permanentlyconsidered as selected.

Role of NGOs in BPL programs Government does all the programs related to the

upliftment of BPL families at its own level. Gram Panchayat and officers deputed in the

selection process of BPL families play a very important role in the selection of families.

In the same way services, facilities and support received by the selected family is a

departmental process. Different departments deliver services-facilities at their own

level. In all these works, peoples representative at gram panchayat and government

servant plays a very important role. In this situation NGOs do not play a direct role.

Information regarding association of NGOs was collected at two levels (1) during

field survey with beneficiary families, public and group meetings (2) comments

received during workshop organized with associated NGOs. It can be summarized as

1. At present BPL selection and its implementation is done at governmentdepartment level. It is established that government and gram panchayat together

will implement the program. Therefore, they are main partners.


20/25

18

2. In the present system, the government is not taking support from NGOs; noinitiative is taken by the department or PRI to take their support. Under such

situation NGOs generally do not associate themselves with the program.

3. The organizations who feel that it is their duty to give their support are able todo it in a limited manner. The main reason behind this is the indifferent attitude

of the government officials.

4. The reason for the above comments can be summarized asa. The government officials and people representatives of PRI involved in

this work feel that if they seek the support of NGOs then their single

control would reduce. Due to this feeling they feel uneasy in taking

NGOs support.

b. In some areas NGOs are very effective and they have confidence/trust ofthe people. Under such conditions NGOs support creates inconvenience

for government system.

c. In recent times provision has been made to add/delete names in BPL listthrough appeal. It is seen that no appeal is made to delete the names but

appeal is made to add the names. There are several examples where

peoples representatives in PRI and government officials see their

personal benefits in adding the names in the BPL list.

d. Under the above limitation and problems the NGOs are giving support atvarious levels because they feel it is their duty. Organization and

community based originations in the surveyed areas were found to be

working for the development of the selected BPL families and also in

their selection process. Their active support was seen in (i) appeal to

add the names of poor people whose names have been left out, (ii)support under various programs, (iii) information regarding various

employment oriented scheme, (iv) helping in completing formalities in

various government departments, etc. Selected families are of the

opinion that taking NGOs support in easy and profitable government

should take support of social service organizations.


21/25

19

Policy Suggestions

To measure the number of people living below poverty line, to give them

opportunity to move on the path of development and to take steps to better their

livelihood prospects is on the agenda list of the government. It is for this reason that

families living below poverty line are given preferences in different development

oriented programmes. There are two stages for the development of the family living

below poverty line(1) selection of such family which comes under the below poverty

line category according to the set parameters and (2) giving opportunity to such

selected families for development, making them capable. The following study is an

effort look into the selection of the families living below poverty line and different

aspects of their development. The aims of the project are -

1. To analyze the status of selected BPL families.2. To analyze the impact of different poverty eradication drives conducted by the

government/NGOs during different phases for the selected BPL families.

3. To find the correlation between different factors responsible for povertyeradication with different programmes launched for this purpose so that the

utility of the interventions could be analyzed and to give suggestions.

Information was collected at two levels (a) published and unpublished reference

material and other documents (b) information collected during field survey from

selected gram panchayats through schedule, focused group discussions, interviews, case

study and participatory rural appraisal.

During the selection of sampling frame the geographical and social context of

Rajasthan was taken into consideration. Subsequently 5 districts covering all areas of

Rajasthan were selected. The districts selected were Jaipur, Tonk, Bikaner, Sikar and

Udaipur. In each district all the villages of one gram panchayat of a panchayat samiti

was selected. In the selection process cooperation of Panchayat Samiti officials, local

social organization and PRIs was taken. The details of sample selection are as follows:


22/25

20

S.

No.

Gram Panchayat

Panchayat Samiti

District

SC ST OBC General Total

1. Chandel Kalan

ChaksuJaipur

29 3 14 9 55

2. Khandel

Sambhar

Jaipur

21 -- 17 1 39

3. Vigga

Sridungargarh

Bikaner

20 -- 10 20 50

4. Garinda

Fatehpur

Sikar

9 -- 12 4 25

5. Khandewat

Niwai

Tonk

10 4 17 4 35

6. Devas

Jhadol

Udaipur

-- 47 -- 9 56

7. Total 89

(34%)

54

(21%)

70

(27%)

47

(18%)

260

(100%)

The programs which are going on to bring the people above the poverty line are

being implemented at two levels (1) Relief & facility oriented program (2) Self

employment related programs. It is normal to expect that both these programs will give

direct support to the poor families. The poor family should receive direct support, this

is natural. During the survey it was found that relief related services & facilities are in

great demand and people have a strong desire to receive them, such as free medicine,

Indira Aawas Yojna, electricity connection etc. Support for selfemployment and its

propagation was found to be in a poor condition. The selected BPL families should be

able to develop capacity to bring them above the poverty line; no efforts have been

done in this regard to make them capable. There is no doubt in accepting that the relief,

service and support have direct effect on food, health, diseases and increase in physical

capacity. This is an important achievement.

With the above background and facts received from the data during the survey,

the following suggestions are being made and it is expected that they will be discussed

at the policy level and some practical efforts would be taken up in the right direction.


23/25

21

1) Eliminating difficulties during the BPL family selection, making it transparent,reducing and stopping wrong selection. These are some of the suggestions if

implemented strongly could bring better results.

a) General public especially the poor and neglected families should be

included in the selection process.

b) Selection team which includes peoples representatives and localgovernment officials should be directed to work according to set

parameters in true spirit. They should be made aware of their

responsibilities and duties.

c) Everyone in the village knows who is a poor person in their villagetherefore efforts should be made to make Gram Sabha more transparent

and participatory.

d) Increasing partnership with local social service organizations will behelpful in this work.

2) One of the main goals of this program is to bring people above poverty line

(selected families after selection). How much the selected families after

selection have moved forward in this direction, is useful for evaluation. This

will give us information regarding the difficulties faced in moving forward. Five

years after the selection or at the end of the program this type of evaluation can

be done. The details regarding the process, methodology and basis of evaluation

can be decided by discussion with the expert team.

3) The process of relief and development should be separate. Relief measures are

important for a poor family but sometimes development activities are side lined.

In order to eliminate poverty it is important to give priority to developmentoriented activities so that the objective of eradicating poverty could be attained

in an easy manner.

4) Various problems were incurred during the implementation of developmental

programs; major problems faced were -

1) Lack of awareness among the selected person as a result of which hedoes not take interest in new works of development. He is not prepared.

2) Lack of capacity and efficiency which leads to lack of self-confidence.


24/25

22

3) Lack of training and no interest in taking training.4) In the present economic and commercial situation the BPL person does

not find himself capable enough to understand the market, competition,

technology in production, management, etc.

5) The following steps could be taken in order to overcome the above problems -a) New enterprises should be indentified and its complete information

should be given to the selected BPL person. It was found that the youth

does not receive full information about new enterprises.

b) Efforts should be made to make him aware and give training so that he ismentally prepared to take up the program. It was found that due to lack

of awareness and information the selected youth does not take interest in

taking training.

c) Financial support and technology for business and industries should bemade simple and it should be within the limit of his understanding.

d) Facility should be made available for raw material and market etc. underthe developmental programs.

e) In order to be successful in the programs, information aboutmanagement of the concerned industry and the facility of training is

necessary.

6) Need for protection The selected persons are generally from village or smalltowns, they need protection in order to become entrepreneur to increase the

capacity for selfemployment. In todays free trade environment, economic

policies are made in such a manner that they encourage free competition

between different players, survival in open market and competition with

centralized business. Under such a policy it is doubtful that a BPL person wouldsurvive himself. In order for them to survive in free trade, centralized

production, market and technology competition, they need protection at various

levels. This protection should be at which level and in what form could be a

matter of discussion.

7) The government through its various programs is giving relief to selectedfamilies and through its developmental programs is trying to eliminate poverty.


25/25

Two important conclusions have come out from the data received during the

study and group discussions.

a) The selected BPL families are not able to start entrepreneur activities tocome out of the poverty or our programs are not according to their

capacity or efficiency.

b) The role of NGO is negligible. During the survey it was remarked thatNGOs can play a helping hand in this regard. The government should

ensure their participation to attain desire results.

Based on the above discussion we would suggest that on experimental basis

some NGOs should be given the responsibility of giving support to the selected

families and their participation in the development work in selected Panchayat

Samities. For this, mutual trust between the government and social service

organization i.e. NGO is very important. The government should give suitable

financial support and the NGO should be given the liberty to take up the

programs depending upon the field realities. For this, efficient NGOs should be

invited on experimental basis. For this initiative a detailed discussion with the

NGOs and eminent personalities having experience in conducting livelihood

programs should be done.

8) The youth power among the selected BPL families should be directed towardsentrepreneurship. The number of educated youth is increasing in villages and

small town. Their education level is sub standard and mainly comprises of

social science subjects. There is a lack of awareness on the subjects like -

science, technology, entrepreneurship, etc. at the senior secondary and

graduation level. The youth aims of getting government service which is not

possible for everyone. In this situation one has to think as to how to giveemployment to such a big force. The growing competition in the job market

discourages the youth. Such a feeling could divert the youth from their path.

Could we make a special work plan of the educated BPL youths? The

comments from experts are expected.