Answer: 

Introduction

We can introduce the answer by highlighting the problem of urban poverty in India. This can be done by using facts/examples. We can also introduce by highlighting government policy measures to address urban poverty.     

Body

Since the directive is to discuss, we first shall state the need for addressing urban poverty. This must be followed by enlisting policy measures of government to address urban poverty and finally by measures to effectively address urban poverty.

For value addition, you may state examples/facts in your arguments.

Conclusion   

Here we can conclude either by summarizing the arguments of body section or by stating the importance of urban India in Nation’s development. 

Answer:

Urban India is plagued with deteriorating conditions of urban poor, which mostly includes migrants from villages, informally employed residents, slum dwellers etc. They are deprived of proper policy measures which further worsens the situation. The fight against poverty is incomplete without addressing urban poverty. 

Need to Address Urban Poverty

• Rising Population: According to a survey by the UN State of the World Population report, by 2030, 40.76% of the country’s population is expected to reside in urban areas. By 2035, the percentage rises to 43.20%. Thus, urban poverty will also increase and needs to be addressed.
• Attracting Investments: International investments are attracted by urban centres. Capital cities, in general, are the favored locations for FDI. They are the key nodes in the global system as they function as a bridge between nations.
• High Crime Rates: The segregation and divide between rich and poor has increased the urban crime rates. Addressing urban poverty would decrease the crime rate.
• Pressure on Infrastructure: The sprawling slums and suburbs put pressure on urban infrastructure.
• Policy Failures: Urban poverty doesn’t allow proper policy implementation as the policies are not specifically addressed to them.

Measures by Government to Address Urban Poverty

• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0: It aims at making the cities ‘water secure’ and ‘self-sustainable’ through circular economy of water.
• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (National Urban Livelihoods Mission): The scheme aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households by enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities.
• Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban): The mission aims to provide universal coverage of water supply to all households through functional taps in all 4,378 statutory towns.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Housing for All - Urban): The scheme seeks to address the housing requirement of urban poor including slum dwellers. A total of 1.20 crore houses were sanctioned and 53% completed till December 2022.

What more needs to be done?

• Urban-poor Specific Mission Mode Campaigns: Such campaigns should cover schemes related to LPG connection, bank accounts, life and accident insurance, EPFO and ESI facilities, and healthcare programmes like Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), employment schemes and drinking water, electricity, sanitation and other projects.
• Value Addition and Employment Guarantee: Skilling, upskilling, and re-skilling opportunities must be readily available for poor households in ways that enable them to combine work with skill upgradation. Apprenticeships to the eligible will also help.
• Urban Local Bodies Reforms: The finances of ULBs don’t allow them to freely undertake initiatives to address urban poverty at their level. Finance augmentation measures like municipal bonds, better property tax collection, etc. alongside functional autonomy would be helpful.
• Better Infrastructure: Urban accommodation, followed by improvement of schools, health facility expansion, etc. would aid in connecting deprived households to human development requirements.
• Addressing Regional Development: The influx of migrants from villages to cities puts pressure on urban infrastructure and resources, thereby inflating urban poverty. Balanced regional growth must be ensured.

Addressing urban poverty should not be limited to policy making and jargons, it must be a mission-oriented process. The urban centres of India must become shining light of prosperity, not the den of poverty and segregation.