SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s multidimensional poverty rate has declined sharply from 12.56 per cent in 2015-16 to 4.80 per cent in 2019-21, with more than 10.45 lakh people moving out of poverty during the period, officials informed a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday.
Reviewing the status of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in the Union Territory, Dulloo directed departments and district administrations to identify vulnerable households, particularly beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), and implement targeted interventions to further reduce poverty levels.
The Chief Secretary asked the Planning Department to undertake a detailed analysis of the forthcoming National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) data and prepare district-specific action plans aimed at improving indicators related to health, education and standard of living.
According to official figures presented during the meeting, Jammu and Kashmir is on course to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 1.2, which seeks to reduce multidimensional poverty by at least half before 2030. All twelve indicators used to measure multidimensional poverty have shown improvement over the assessment period.
The meeting was informed that nearly 6.39 lakh people belonging to around 1.28 lakh families were living in multidimensional poverty in Jammu and Kashmir as per NFHS-5 estimates for 2019-21, with the overall poverty headcount ratio standing at 4.80 per cent.
District-wise data showed Ramban recorded the highest multidimensional poverty ratio at 14.86 per cent, followed by Reasi at 11.40 per cent, Kishtwar at 10.59 per cent, Udhampur at 10.23 per cent and Rajouri at 8.07 per cent.
In contrast, Jammu district registered the lowest poverty ratio at 0.49 per cent, followed by Srinagar at 1.34 per cent, Shopian at 1.54 per cent, Pulwama at 2.09 per cent and Samba at 2.30 per cent.
Officials said rural areas witnessed substantial improvement, with multidimensional poverty declining from 16.37 per cent to 6.10 per cent, while urban poverty reduced from 3.51 per cent to 1.09 per cent during the assessment period.
The intensity of poverty also improved, falling from 44.17 per cent to 42.11 per cent, indicating better access to essential services and improved living standards among vulnerable households.
During the meeting, Dulloo stressed the need to maximise the impact of existing welfare schemes, including the National Food Security Act, Ayushman Bharat, housing programmes, Ujjwala Yojana, financial inclusion initiatives and education-related interventions. He called for better convergence among these schemes and additional support wherever required.
Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar, urged district administrations to incorporate poverty-reduction measures into their annual development plans and focus on AAY households for more effective outcomes.
Commissioner Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, R Alice Vaz, informed the meeting that the current MPI estimates are based on NFHS-5 data released in 2023, while NFHS-6 data is being finalised and is expected to provide updated insights into poverty trends across the Union Territory.
The Chief Secretary directed the Planning Department to design a standardised survey format for district-level identification of vulnerable households and coordinate closely with Deputy Commissioners to address gaps and prioritise interventions aimed at further reducing poverty across Jammu and Kashmir.
