Vicious
Poverty
THE consultation meeting of South Asia Poverty
Alleviation Programme held in Kathmandu the other day, comprehensively reviewed the
on-going activities and progress made in poverty alleviation programme in the region and
expressed resolve to intensify activities for freeing the people from the vicious cycle of
poverty and backwardness. South Asia is the home of almost one fifth of the total
population in the world. It is the region that comprises largest number of poor people,
who are deprived of minimum basic needs. The Regional Progress Report 2000 of the South
Asia Poverty Alleviation Programme has stated that people living in absolute poverty has
now increased to 520 million from 500 million ten years ago clearly indicating that
despite several efforts the menace of poverty is growing. Although some social indicators
like illiteracy and infant mortality have shown positive results, the absolute poor have
not yet been brought to mainstream of development and their economic condition has not
been uplifted. Poverty is the common problem of South Asia and all nations and people must
work more concertedly to improve the social and economic condition and eradicate poverty
in the region. In view of this all South Asian nations have adopted pro-poor policies to
attack the massive poverty. Nepal is not an exception. Massive poverty and backwardness
have afflicted Nepal. Almost 50 per cent people are living in absolute poverty and are
denied of basic amenities. Nepal has, thus, accorded top priority to poverty alleviation
and accordingly announced several programmes to achieve the lofty goal of raising the
economic condition of the people. These programmes have yielded some positive results.
However, there is still no room for complacency. The number of poor people is rising and
the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. Against this background, Prime Minister
Girija Prasad Koirala, while addressing the South Asian consultation meeting, elaborated
on the commitment and programme of His Majesty’s Government for poverty alleviation.
Prime Minister Koirala said that the government has implemented recommendations and
suggestions of experts to attack poverty. Nepal is soon establishing poverty alleviation
fund with support from donors and with the objective of carrying out activities meant for
poverty eradication. As said by Prime Minister Koirala social mobilisation and
decentralisation are key components for the success of poverty reduction and development
programme, which need to be given further emphasis to get rid from the menace of poverty.
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