The Constitution of India makes a mention of the duty of the State to ensure that men and women are provided with means of livelihood, that the level of nutrition and the standard of living are raised and public health improved. The Right to Basic Needs, as envisaged in the United Nation's Guidelines, differ from the concept of Basic Needs outlined by the Consumers International in its eight Consumer Rights. There is a need to redefine 'Basic Needs' in the U.N. Guidelines in keeping with the economic goals of the Third World countries, particularly India, where the major thrust of all development activities is, at least theoretically, aimed at providing food, basic health facilities, primary education, clean drinking water, sanitation and housing to its poor. In India, estimates of poverty keep changing with each political party that comes to power. In the beginning of 1996, we were told that during 1993-94 the incidence of poverty in India was 16 to 19 per cent of the population.
Figures indicate that there has been no change in the prevalence of poverty since late eighties.
In other words, there has been a 'trickle down' effect of economic growth. It indicates that the innumerable anti-poverty programmes of the Central and State Governments have failed in achieving the objective due mainly to the widely prevalent corruption among politicians and government servants. This ought to be a matter of global concern as several international bodies fund programmes related to the supply of Basic Needs to the masses. There are two approaches to economic development. The first one is concerned with fulfilling the minimum needs of the people, removing poverty and marginalization, focusing on problems like unemployment, basic health services and so on.