Lok Sabha Question No. 1229 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Studies on Policies
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Dulal Chandra Goswami

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1229

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2022

## STUDIES ON POLICIES

## †1229.SHRI DULAL CHAND GOSWAMI:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is conducting studies on the policies concerning the challenges in India like poverty, rural development and building basic infrastructure;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the schemes formulated by the Government to eradicate poverty from the country at present?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a)&(b):  NITI  Aayog,  as  a  dedicated  Think  Tank  of  the  Government,  gets  the  research  studies conducted on areas deemed necessary for achievement of the country's developmental objectives.  The Research  Scheme  of  NITI  Aayog  (RSNA)  aims  at  supporting  various  research  studies  as  per  the objectives of the NITI Aayog.  Research studies have been conducted/ are being conducted on a  wide range  of  themes  such  as  agriculture,  health,  education,  food  security, district  development  planning, water, irrigation, panchayati raj, energy, transport, social development etc.  Some of the studies directly or  indirectly  relates  to  poverty,  rural  development  and  building  infrastructure.  Similarly,  other Departments/Ministries of the Government of India also undertake research studies from time to time.

(c) Government has initiated several targeted schemes that aim to improve the quality of life of people aimed at poverty alleviation in the country. Schemes are both Central sector and Centrally Sponsored where  some  aim  to  directly  benefit  the  citizens  through  Direct  Benefit  transfer  of  resources/  money while other intend to create enabling infrastructural provisions.  Presently, some of the major schemes being implemented in this regard include, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act  (MGNREGA), National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), Solar Charkha Mission, National Nutrition Mission (NNM), Poshan Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan  (PMSYM), Pradhan  Mantri  Karam  Yogi  Maandhan Yojana,  SBM-Rural,  Pradhan  Mantri  Anusuchit  Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY),  Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme, Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Pension Yojana, Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise  (SMILE),  Assistance  to  Disabled  Persons  for  Purchase/Fitting  of  Aids  and  Applicances and  Education Scheme for Madrasas and Minorities. In addition Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is  implementing PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme to facilitate microcredit  to  street  vendors,  vending  in  urban  areas  so  that  they  can  restart  their  business  which  were adversely  impacted  during  the  Covid-19  pandemic. The  scheme  was  launched  on  June  1,  2020  and loaning started on July 2, 2020.  Under this scheme, street vendors may avail a working capital loan of up to ₹ 10,000, followed by loans of ₹ 20,000 and ₹ 50,000 in the second and third tranches respectively, on timely repayment. Loan amount  are directly released to the beneficiaries by the Lending Institutions. As on 01.02.2022, 29.08 lakh loans amounting to ₹ 2,963.64 Cr have been disbursed under the scheme. Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) a relief package is provided for the poor people to help them during the pandemic.

*****