Zero Poverty Programme, Objectives, Features, Key Details

The Zero Poverty Programme is a major social welfare initiative launched by the Government of Uttar Pradesh with the aim of eliminating extreme poverty and ensuring inclusive development. The programme is named after Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, reflecting his vision of educational, social, and economic upliftment of the poor and marginalized sections of society.

The scheme focuses on identifying families who are still deprived of basic facilities and connecting them with all government welfare schemes through a structured and technology-driven approach.

What is Zero Poverty?

Zero Poverty means a situation where no individual or family is deprived of basic human needs such as housing, sanitation, clean drinking water, electricity, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities.

In Uttar Pradesh, the concept of Zero Poverty emphasizes holistic empowerment, where welfare benefits are combined with skill development and employment support so that families can achieve long-term self-reliance rather than depending only on subsidies.

Zero Poverty Programme Objectives

The main objectives of the Zero Poverty Programme are:

• To ensure that no person in Uttar Pradesh is deprived of basic facilities
• To link poor and marginalized communities with all eligible government schemes
• To identify 20-25 deprived families in every Gram Panchayat
• To include 14-15 lakh families in the first phase of the scheme
• To promote educational, social, and economic upliftment in line with Dr. Ambedkar’s philosophy
• To provide special focus on historically disadvantaged and vulnerable communities
• To support the state’s broader goal of zero poverty through skill development and employment

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Zero Poverty Programme Features

The Zero Poverty Programme adopts a multi-dimensional approach to eradicate poverty by combining welfare delivery, skill development, and digital governance.

• Identification of Deprived Families: 20-25 families in every Gram Panchayat who are still deprived of basic facilities are identified.
• Welfare Scheme Coverage: Families receive benefits under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, toilets, drinking water, electricity, LPG connections, Ayushman Bharat health cards, and pension schemes.
• Focus on Vulnerable Communities: Special priority is given to Musahar, Tharu, Vantangiya, Kol, Buksa, Chero, Gond, and Saharia communities.
• Skill Development: Guaranteed skill training is provided to heads of poor families in seven focus areas, including hospitality services and language skills, enhancing employability.
• Community Sanitation Support: Committees maintaining Gram Panchayat community toilets receive regular monthly honorarium for sustainability.
• Digital Infrastructure: Central portal (Zero-poverty.in) and department microsites facilitate coordination, while apps like Mop-Up and Rishta monitor beneficiary identification and DBT/benefit flows.
• Feedback Mechanism: Alerts and voice-based feedback collection ensure participation even from remote areas.

Zero Poverty Programme and SDG 1 – No Poverty

The Zero Poverty Programme directly supports SDG 1 – No Poverty by ensuring that poor and marginalised families receive access to basic facilities such as housing, sanitation, healthcare, and social security. By identifying deprived households at the Gram Panchayat level, the programme targets poverty at its roots. 

The inclusion of skill development and employment support helps families achieve sustainable livelihoods. Overall, the scheme promotes inclusive growth and long-term poverty reduction in Uttar Pradesh.