Published Paper Details:

Abstract: From 2003 to 2018, India underwent rapid economic growth, fueled by a series of neoliberal reforms. During this time, there were debates about the extent and distribution of these reforms, but they coincided with a decrease in absolute poverty according to official poverty metrics. This research study offers a critical analysis of the factors, structure, and execution of two significant poverty alleviation initiatives in India: the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MGNREGA), which established a national public rural employment guarantee program, and the Public Distribution System (PDS), which provides subsidized food grains to the public. The paper follows this structure: First, we delve into the historical background of the two policies, then provide a concise overview of the political and economic circumstances that led to the inception of these initiatives in India, highlighting the immediate factors driving their formulation and execution. Utilizing secondary data, we proceed to assess the performance of both programs over time and across various regions within the country. We offer insights into the observed trends drawing from existing literature and interviews conducted with key stakeholders from the bureaucracy, political sphere, and civil society. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the necessity of a more locally sensitive approach to policy design and greater mobilization of intended beneficiaries for rights-based welfare programs to effectively address the social and economic insecurities of the poor. Finally, we synthesize our findings to identify crucial factors influencing poverty reduction policies, their outcomes, and the broader implications for similar interventions in other contexts.