Poverty eradication strategy has been a core theme of governance since independence. Successive governments both at the centre and the states have adopted numerous policies to reduce poverty. Although poverty has definitely declined over the years, it is not yet eradicated completely.
The measurement of poverty has been a debatable issue and the latest is the multidimensional poverty. Securing a square meal a day is no longer the criteria to determine poverty. Amartya Sen, the Nobel Laureate in Economics, advocated for eradicating multidimensional poverty in society. It’s the level of inequality and deprivation in terms of education, health, employment opportunities and social security that determines the poverty of an individual.
How to effectively overcome poverty?
The traditional approach of benefiting the poorest sections through poverty alleviation schemes by the government has proved not so successful in the past.
Recently, the P4 model, an innovative poverty eradication programme, has been launched by the Andhra Pradesh government under the direction of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu . The ‘P4’ stands for Public, Private, People, and Partnership. The goal of this initiative is to achieve zero poverty in the state by 2029.
Here are the key features of the initiative: The core of the model is a collaborative effort between the government, the private sector, and individual citizens. This is a departure from traditional welfare schemes that are solely government-funded and administered. The core concept centres around Bangaru Kutumbam (“Golden Families”). These are the underprivileged families identified as being below the poverty line. The government has surveyed and listed these households.
The programme aims to uplift around 15 lakh such families.
Added to this is Margadarshi (“Mentor”). These are affluent individuals, including high-net-worth individuals and members of the Telugu diaspora, who voluntarily come forward to support the “Bangaru Kutumbams.”
The assistance provided is not a uniform cash transfer. Instead, it is based on the specific needs of the family and the capabilities of the mentor. A mentor could provide jobs, free medical treatment, educational support, or vocational training. The mentors pay institutions directly, not the beneficiaries in cash.
In the scheme of things the government acts as a facilitator, connecting the mentors with the beneficiary families. It ensures transparency through digital platforms and gram sabhas for beneficiary selection. It also provides a platform for direct interaction between the mentors and the families.
The programme encourages the top 10% of the population to support the bottom 20%.
This direct, one-on-one or community-based support system is designed to provide more holistic and sustainable help than a blanket welfare scheme.
The P4 model operates independently of existing government welfare schemes. It is a complementary initiative that mobilizes private and community contributions rather than relying on additional state funds.
The government plans to review the programme’s implementation and progress regularly to identify the most effective “Margadarshis” and “Bangaru Kutumbams.”
The P4 model adopted by Andhra Pradesh government has generated interest among other states for replication of the model in their respective states. It is not a cash-based incentive to the beneficiaries but a meaningful intervention to ensure better opportunities in life and get away with poverty.
Odisha is one of the front ranking states in achieving the Zero Poverty target as envisaged under Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as admitted by Niti Aayog in its report for 2023-24. However, poverty, deprivation and malnutrition still exist in the state. A P4 model is therefore quite relevant for Odisha and poverty eradication can be taken up as a social responsibility by the corporate sector by the Odia diaspora and anyone voluntarily willing to work for the poor. Adopting a family to look after their needs in terms of education, health, employment etc would go a long way in addressing the problems the family is facing right now. The mentoring approach is more pragmatic and beneficial. It differs from person to person and serves the interests of the beneficiaries differently from others as per the needs. The role of the government is limited to one facilitator only and there is no financial burden on the state exchequer.
Hope, Odisha government gives a serious thought to this model in addition to the existing schemes and programmes for poverty eradication.