Chronic Poverty and Development Policy in India

Poverty is one of the perennial and intractable problems facing governments and populations throughout the world. India is home to 22 per cent of the world’s poor. Thus reducing and eventually eliminating poverty is vital if the country is to attain national and international goals of development and good governance. While various studies have drawn attention to the fact that some segments of the population find it especially hard to escape poverty, this book provides a holistic understanding of the problem.

Discussing the extent, location and severity of chronic poverty in India, this volume suggests poverty reduction policies from that perspective. Based in new research, the contributors analyse both original and secondary data to demonstrate that a significant proportion of India’s population is chronically poor. By weaving together qualitative and quantitative data, the book provides an important understanding of the major causes and consequences of chronic poverty.