Odisha Government's Sahajog Initiative to Aid Urban Poor

1. Launch of Sahajog Initiative: The Odisha Government has introduced the Sahajog initiative to help the urban poor by identifying eligible beneficiaries and connecting them with appropriate schemes. This includes providing mass awareness and doorstep service delivery.
2. Urban Poverty in India: Urban poverty is linked to inadequate access to employment, food, healthcare, and education, along with a lack of community representation. It is also worsened by a lack of social networks.
3. Poverty Statistics: The extreme poverty rate in urban India stands at 17.2%, compared to only 2.8% in rural areas, as per the Poverty & Equity Brief by the World Bank.

Challenges of Urban Poverty:

1. Living Conditions: Many urban poor reside in slums that lack basic facilities such as toilets, clean water, and proper ventilation. Access to essential services like healthcare, education, and transport remains scarce and expensive.
2. Barriers to Welfare: Migrants often lack proper identification or proof of residency, which hinders their access to welfare schemes. Additionally, there is no urban counterpart to rural welfare programs like MGNREGA, creating a significant income gap.
3. Visibility of Inequality: Urban poverty is more visible, leading to feelings of deprivation. An example is Dharavi in Mumbai, where luxury skyscrapers sit beside impoverished slums, highlighting stark inequalities.
4. Weak Social Support: Cities generally lack strong community ties, unlike rural areas. This social void exacerbates loneliness and contributes to mental health challenges.
5. Exclusionary Urbanization: Urban planning often overlooks informal settlements like slums, further marginalizing their residents.

Government Initiatives to Address Urban Poverty:

1. 1. Housing: Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U), the government aims to provide housing for all urban poor.
   2. Sanitation: Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0) aims to improve sanitation infrastructure in urban areas.
   3. Employment and Skill Development: The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) and PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) promote employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
   4. Food Security: The One Nation One Ration Card scheme allows for ration card portability across the country, improving food security for migrants.
   5. Healthcare: Under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, health benefits are made portable, and self-certification is available for beneficiaries of the PM Ujjwala Yojana.