Performance of poverty alleviation programme in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra
Abstract
Poverty alleviation programmes play an important role in improving the livelihood conditions of rural households by providing employment, housing, financial support and basic social security. The present study was undertaken to assess the performance of major poverty alleviation programmes, with particular emphasis on Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY)/Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) in India, Maharashtra and the Vidarbha region. Secondary time-series data for the period 1995–96 to 2024–25 were analysed using absolute change, relative change, compound growth rate (CGR), coefficient of variation (CV) and Cuddy-Della Valle instability index (CDVI). The results revealed a substantial increase in financial allocation, release and expenditure under IAY/PMAY-G at the national level. In Vidarbha, utilization of funds, beneficiary registration, sanction of houses and house completion recorded significant positive growth rates of 30.27, 19.65, 23.43 and 21.27 per cent per annum, respectively. However, considerable instability was observed in registration and sanctioning activities, as reflected by their high CDVI values of 102.09 and 71.54 per cent, respectively. Completion of houses showed comparatively better stability, with a CDVI of 46.27 per cent. At the district level, substantial inter-district variation was observed, with Nagpur, Bhandara, Akola and Gondia recording relatively high growth in different programme indicators, while Amravati generally showed comparatively lower growth. Overall, the findings indicate that poverty alleviation programmes have expanded considerably in the Vidarbha region, but fluctuations in fund utilization, beneficiary registration and sanctioning remain important implementation challenges. Strengthening timely fund flow, monitoring, beneficiary identification and coordination among implementing agencies is necessary to improve the effectiveness and stability of programme outcomes.
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Introduction
Poverty remains a major development challenge in rural areas, particularly among households with limited access to productive assets, stable employment, adequate housing and basic services. In India, the Government has implemented several poverty alleviation and social protection programmes to improve the livelihood security and socio-economic wellbeing of vulnerable households. Among these interventions, rural housing programmes have assumed considerable importance because adequate housing contributes not only to household security and dignity but also to improved living conditions and social well-being. The Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) was introduced as a major rural housing intervention for providing financial assistance to eligible rural households for the construction of houses. Subsequently, the programme was restructured as the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), with the objective of providing pucca houses with basic amenities to eligible rural households. The programme represents an important component of the Government's strategy for reducing housing deprivation and improving the standard of living of rural households. The effectiveness of a poverty alleviation programme depends not only on the magnitude of financial resources allocated but also on their timely utilization, identification and registration of eligible beneficiaries, sanctioning of houses and timely completion of construction. Therefore, assessment of both financial and physical performance is essential for understanding the implementation status of rural housing programmes. Maharashtra has a substantial rural population and considerable regional variation in socio-economic conditions. Within the state, the Vidarbha region comprises districts with diverse agricultural, economic and social www.extensionjournal.com characteristics. Such regional differences may influence the implementation and performance of poverty alleviation programmes. Hence, an assessment of the growth, variability and instability of IAY/PMAY-G at the regional and district levels is important for identifying variations in programme implementation and for developing appropriate policy interventions. Against this background, the present study was undertaken to assess the performance of IAY/PMAY-G in India, Maharashtra and the Vidarbha region. The study particularly focuses on changes in financial and physical performance, compound growth rates, variability and instability over time, with special emphasis on district-wise performance in the Vidarbha region.
Objectives
To assess the financial and physical performance, growth, variability and instability of IAY/PMAY-G in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.
Methodology 3.1 Performance of poverty alleviation programme
The performance of poverty alleviation programmes was analysed using different statistical and econometric tools to understand the magnitude of change, growth behaviour, variability, and instability over the study period from 1995-96 to 2024-25.
Absolute change and Relative change
Relative and absolute changes over the base year were worked out through simple tabular analysis. To comprehend the alteration in relative contribution, relative changes were calculated. The absolute and relative changes during the period (1995-96 to 2024-25) were measured using the values of the base year and the current year.
Absolute change = Current year -Base year
Where, Base Year = (1995-96)
Relative change =
Current year -Base year Base year × 100
Where, Base Year = (1995-96)
Compound growth rate
The growth rates were used to measure the performance of the economic variables viz. Central Allocation, Central Release, Total Exp, Target No. Houses and Houses Constructed. The sector-wise growth was analyzed for period (1995-96 to 2024-2025) using the exponential growth function given formula:
Where, Y = Economic Variables a = Intercept b = Regression coefficient t = Time period (Years)
From the coefficient values, the compound growth rates were worked out by using the formula, CGR = [Antilog (log b) -1] × 100
Coefficient of Variation (CV)
The coefficient of variation was used to measure the extent of variability in relation to the mean of the series. It provided a relative measure of dispersion and facilitated comparison among variables having different units or magnitudes. The coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated by using the formula,
The simple Coefficient of Variation (CV) often contains the trend component and thus over estimates the level of instability in time series data characterized by long term trends and Cuddy Della Valle's instability was estimated as follows.
Cuddy Della Valle's Instability Index (CDVI)
The Cuddy Della Valle's Instability Index (CDVI) was used to measure instability in poverty alleviation programme by eliminating the effect of long-term trends in the time-series data. It provides a more reliable estimate of year-to-year fluctuations in programme performance.
The instability index was computed as follows:
Where, CV = Simple Estimates of coefficient of variation in per cent and R 2 = Coefficient of determination obtained from log-linear regression analysis.
Results and Discussion
Financial & physical performance under poverty alleviation programmes IAY / PMAY-G for India
The financial and physical performance of IAY/PMAY-G in India is presented in Table
Financial Performance under Poverty Alleviation Programmes IAY / PMAY-G for Vidarbha Region
The financial and physical performance of IAY/PMAY-G in the Vidarbha region is presented in Table 3
Compound Growth Rate of IAY / PMAY-G for Maharashtra
The compound growth rates of all major financial and physical indicators were positive and statistically significant at the 1 per cent level. Central allocation recorded the highest growth rate of 39.79 per cent per annum, with an R² value of 0.81. Central release and total expenditure recorded growth rates of 9.01 and 8.17 per cent per annum, respectively. The target for house construction increased at a rate of 6.39 per cent per annum, while actual houses constructed increased at 6.08 per cent per annum.
However, the relatively high CDVI values for central release (88.29 per cent) and houses constructed (83.94 per cent) indicate substantial instability in fund flow and physical implementation.
District-Wise Compound Growth Rate of IAY/PMAY-G in the Vidarbha Region
District-wise analysis revealed positive growth across all major programme indicators, including fund utilization, beneficiary registration, house sanction and completion, although considerable inter-district variation was observed. Fund utilization recorded particularly high growth in Nagpur (46.26 per cent), Bhandara (44.81 per cent) and Akola (43.47 per cent). Registration growth was highest in Bhandara (36.97 per cent) and Nagpur (33.08 per cent). House sanction recorded the highest growth in Bhandara (40.95 per cent), Nagpur (40.75 per cent) and Wardha (38.93 per cent). House completion recorded comparatively high growth in Bhandara (39.64 per cent), Gondia (38.32 per cent) and Wardha (31.63 per cent). In contrast, Amravati recorded comparatively lower growth, particularly in house sanction and completion. The predominance of positive and statistically significant growth rates indicates an overall expansion of IAY/PMAY-G across the Vidarbha region. However, the substantial interdistrict variation highlights differences in programme implementation and achievement across districts.
Compound Growth Rate of IAY / PMAY-G for Vidarbha Region
The Vidarbha region recorded statistically significant positive compound growth rates for all major programme indicators. Fund utilization increased at a rate of 30.27 per cent per annum, while beneficiary registration and house sanction increased at rates of 19.65 and 23.43 per cent per annum, respectively. House completion recorded a growth rate of 21.27 per cent per annum. Despite the positive growth trends, considerable instability was observed in beneficiary registration and house sanction. The CDVI values for registration and sanction were 102.09 and 71.54 per cent, respectively. In comparison, house completion recorded a relatively lower CDVI of 46.27 per www.extensionjournal.com cent, indicating comparatively greater stability in the completion stage. These findings suggest that while the programme has expanded substantially in the Vidarbha region, fluctuations in beneficiary identification, registration and sanctioning may affect the consistency of programme implementation.
Conclusion
The study revealed that IAY/PMAY-G has expanded substantially in India, Maharashtra and the Vidarbha region, as reflected in the positive growth of major financial and physical indicators. In the Vidarbha region, utilization of funds, beneficiary registration, house sanction and house completion recorded significant compound growth rates of 30.27, 19.65, 23.43 and 21.27 per cent per annum, respectively. Despite the positive growth trends, considerable instability was observed in beneficiary registration and house sanction, indicating fluctuations in the implementation process. House completion exhibited comparatively lower instability, suggesting relatively greater consistency at the final stage of programme implementation. The district-wise analysis revealed substantial variation in programme performance across Vidarbha. Nagpur, Bhandara, Akola and Gondia recorded comparatively higher growth in different programme indicators, whereas Amravati generally exhibited lower growth, particularly in house sanction and completion. Overall, the findings indicate that sustained growth in programme performance needs to be complemented by improvements in implementation efficiency. Greater attention should be given to timely release and utilization of funds, accurate identification and registration of eligible beneficiaries, expeditious house sanction, regular monitoring and effective coordination among implementing agencies. These measures can contribute to more consistent and equitable implementation of rural housing programmes in the Vidarbha region.
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