ABSTRACT
Incidence of poverty, that is share of population below poverty line, level of consumption and standards of living are major indicators of socio-economic condition of a social group. Causes of poverty are: unemployment or having a poor quality job; low level of education and skills; size and type of family; social and gender discrimination; disability or ill-health; being a member of minority ethnic groups and immigrants/undocumented migrants; and others. For a country like India reduction in poverty and inclusive growth would be helpful for its economic development. Government, generally, has admitted that Muslims in India have the highest poverty rate reflecting that programmes and policies designed for them are not bearing much fruit. Poverty among Muslims in rural areas in both the years, that is 2004-2005 and 2011-2012 was above the national average. In the post-Sachar era, the government started many programmes for elimination/reduction of poverty and to support life and livelihood of the poor.
