In India, twin problems exist i.e., poverty and unemployment. Poverty alleviation has been one of the guiding principles of the planning process in India. Poverty can effectively be eradicated only when the poor start contributing to growth by their active involvement in the growth process. This can only be achieved by launching various employment schemes.
Following points discussed the importance of Employment Generation Programmes to eradicate poverty.
1. Nexus between Unemployment and Poverty: There exists a deep nexus between unemployment and poverty. If employment opportunities are generated, then more people will be employed leading to a rise in their income which in turn will reduce poverty.
2. Availability of Basic Facilities: With the rise in employment opportunities, income increases and poor people are able to get access to education, health facilities, proper sanitation, etc.
3. Creation of Assets: The Employment Generation Programmes aim at creation of assets like water harvesting, irrigation facilities, construction of roads, construction of dams, etc. All these assets help in the social and economic development of the rural areas and hence eradication of poverty.
4. Creation of skills An essential element of employment generation programmes is the formation of human capital by imparting skills to the unskilled laborers through training. This alleviation programmes like Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana, Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rogzar Yojana, National Food for Work Programme, Annapurna came into existence.