Learning from Antyodaya: Some Lessons for IRDP

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. This is perhaps due to the overload of the programme in terms of the activities and functions. Before initiating a programme, it is, therefore, essential that careful consideration be given to the strengths and limitations of the implementing organisation. Thus, in designing anti poverty programmes such as Antyodaya and IRDP, means of providing a range of services-from distribution of benefits to ‘after care’ advice and support-will have to be assessed and measures taken to overcome the limitations. Otherwise, the programme may pursue short term targets and lose sight of the main objective.