J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo
By Tehelka Web Desk
Jammu and Kashmir’s multidimensional poverty rate has dropped significantly from 12.56 per cent in 2015-16 to 4.80 per cent in 2019-21, enabling more than 10.45 lakh people to move out of poverty, officials said during a review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday.
The meeting reviewed the status of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in the Union Territory and discussed measures to further reduce poverty levels. Officials informed that around 6.39 lakh people from nearly 1.28 lakh families were still living in multidimensional poverty as per NFHS-5 estimates for 2019-21.
Chief Secretary Dulloo directed departments and district administrations to identify vulnerable households, especially beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), and ensure targeted interventions. He also asked the Planning Department to analyse upcoming NFHS-6 data and prepare district-specific action plans to improve health, education and living standards.
According to official figures, Jammu district recorded the lowest multidimensional poverty ratio at 0.49 per cent, while Ramban had the highest at 14.86 per cent. Officials noted that poverty levels declined substantially in both rural and urban areas during the assessment period.
Dulloo stressed the need for better convergence of welfare schemes, including food security, healthcare, housing, education and financial inclusion programmes, to further improve the socio-economic conditions of vulnerable households across Jammu and Kashmir.
