In a New Year Resolution of sorts, Uttar Pradesh today announced its target of becoming a poverty-free state by October 2, 2025.
The state government will identify extremely poor families across UP for covering them under various government schemes.
The government is incorporating the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds alongside government resources to support its poverty eradication plan.
Extensive surveys and verification process have been initiated, which form the cornerstone of the ambitious campaign.
The Yogi Adityanath government is conducting a state-wide survey with the assistance of Panchayat Sahayak, Rozgar Sevaks, BC Sakhis, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to identify 1.5 million extremely poor families.
Priority is being given to such families who are homeless, reside in ‘kutcha’ (mud) house, are landless, or depend on daily wages for their livelihood.
Once the survey is completed, the collected data will undergo verification by village-level committees for accuracy and transparency.
The initiative is leveraging digital technology for efficient execution. A mop-up mobile app is being used to conduct surveys and verify data.
Key details such as Aadhaar number, bank account information, and photograph of the beneficiaries are being uploaded through this app, a government official said.
Post survey, members of village-level committees, including the village head, former head, school headmaster, self-help group leaders, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi workers, will verify the selected beneficiaries.
At least three out of five committee members must approve the selection. To ensure transparency, all records will be accessible on the mop-up app and the Zero Poverty Portal.
The list of selected families will be displayed at the Gram Panchayat secretariats and other public places, and will also be available on the Zero Poverty Portal.
UP Panchayati Raj minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said the plan aims to bring positive changes to the lives of the state’s poorest families by facilitating access to government schemes.