Learning from Antyodaya: some leassons for IRDP

Abstract

The Antyodaya programme was launched by the Rajasthan government to improve the socio economic well being of the 'last man' in 1977. Benefits were to be first extended to the poorest families in all of the villages in the state. In two years, nearly two lakh families were assisted by the programme after two rounds of implementation. Pension, land self employment and wage employment were the benefits offered. There were several positive changes in the implementation of the programme in terms of proper identification of beneficiaries and ensuring the availability of credit. On the basis of observations in other studies and in the authors' own case study, it is suggested that the Antyodaya programme's objective changed implicitly from one of raising the income level of the beneficiaries to that of distributing benefits.