(i) Human poverty is a concept that goes beyond the limited view of poverty as lack of income. It refers to the denial of political, social and economic opportunities to an individual to maintain a “reasonable” standard of living. Illiteracy, lack of job opportunities, lack of access to proper healthcare and sanitation, caste and gender discrimination, etc., are all components of human poverty.

(ii) Women, female infants and elderly people are the poorest of the poor. Within a poor family, such individuals suffer more than the others. They are systematically denied equal access to the resources available to the family.

(iii) Main features of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005:

(a) The Act assures 100 days of employment every year to every household.

(b) Initially covering 200 districts, the Act would be extended later on to cover 600 districts.

(c) One-third of the jobs are reserved for women.