Odisha Government Launched Sahajog Initiative for Quick Aid To Urban Poor | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Odisha Government Launched Sahajog Initiative for Quick Aid To Urban Poor

Posted 02 May 2025

2 min read

Sahajog will focus on identifying eligible beneficiaries in urban poor communities and connecting them to appropriate schemes through mass awareness, doorstep delivery of services etc.

Urban Poverty in India

  • Similar to rural poverty, urban poverty is also closely linked to inadequate access to employment, food, healthcare, and education, as well as a lack of voice in the communities in which they live.
  • The extreme poverty in urban India is 17.2% against 2.8% in rural India (Poverty & Equity Brief by the World Bank).

Why Urban Poverty Is More Challenging?

  • Poorer Living Conditions: Many urban poor live in slums, which often lack access to toilets, clean water, and ventilation. 
    • Healthcare, education, transport, and housing are expensive and hard to access.
  • Barriers to Welfare: A lack of ID or proof of residency can exclude migrants from welfare schemes. 
    • Additionally, there is no urban equivalent of MGNREGA, leaving a significant gap in income support.
  • Visibility of Inequality: Urban poverty is more visible, making the poor feel more deprived. 
    • Example: Mumbai’s Dharavi slum sits beside luxury skyscrapers, highlighting sharp inequality.
  • Weak Social Support: Unlike rural areas, cities lack strong community ties and traditional networks, which exacerbate feelings of loneliness and lead to mental health issues
  • Exclusionary urbanization: The urban planning processes largely disregard people living in informal settlements like slums.
An image showing Key Initiatives to tackle Urban Poverty.
  • Tags :
  • Urban Poverty
  • Urbanisation
  • SAHAJOG
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