Sociologists and researchers have favoured two different approaches in defining poverty absolute poverty and relative poverty . The concept of absolute poverty is grounded in the idea of subsistence-the basic conditions that must be met in order to sustain a physically heathy existence. People who lack these fundamental requirements for human existence- such as sufficient food, shelter, and clothing – are said to live in poverty. The concept of absolute poverty is seen as universally applicable. Any individual regardless of age, physique and where they live can be said to live in poverty if he or she falls below this universal standard. 1
The concept of absolute poverty was seen flawed both in its conceptualization and implication. …show more content…
Some development academics believe that the concept of social exclusion is useful because the emphasis on social and economic processes that create exclusion helps academics and policy makers to better understand the causes and consequences of exclusion and deprivation. This in turn opens up new possibilities in terms of policy …show more content…
While in some cases social and economic inequality is decreasing, tribals are facing multiple inequalities and are deeply marginalized. During a period of relative prosperity for India as a whole, poverty rates for STs have declined more slowly than for other groups and par- ticularly slowly in states that have large proportions of Scheduled Tribe populations. The STs are not only the poorer than any other group, they are also among the poorest. Their initial consumption levels are so far below the poverty line and they have such limited assets that gains made by them over the two decades to 2005 have not been sufficiently substantial to allow them to catch up with the general population or even the SCs. Convergence with other groups has occurred in only a small number of areas, notably in lower levels of education and public health. While a number of laws and programs are in place to ad- dress the special disadvantages of STs, implementation is poor. The need of the hour is to make economic growth more inclusive and pro-poor to enhance rapid reduction in poverty with growth. Emphasis should be on building human capital by re- focusing public spending and bringing this marginalized group in the mainstream. Investment in basic and technical education should be