The Role of Rural Infrastructure in Poverty

Reduction: A Case Study of Kurung Kumey District,

Arunachal Pradesh

Tame RamyaPh.D. Scholar

Department of Anthropology,

Rajiv Gandhi University,

Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Email: taramya01@gmail.com

Introduction

This study examines the role of infrastructure on poverty reduction in Kurung Kumey district of Arunachal Pradesh.

According to Arunachal Pradesh Human Development Report- 2005 (2006), the level of poverty in Arunachal Pradesh is high with more than 78% of families in rural areas in 1997-98 is estimated to be below poverty line as against 54% in 1992-93.

According to Kessides (1993) better rural infrastructure and human development programmes promote economic growth, social development and reduce poverty.

Objectives of Study

The objectives of this study are to identify the types and the distribution of infrastructural facilities in Kurung Kumey district and also to determine their impacts on the lives of the people.

How much impact they are generating is however not known and it is upon this that this study has been undertaken.

This study is therefore carried out to determine the role of infrastructure provision in alleviating poverty in Kurung Kumey district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Universe of Study

The study area under consideration is Kurung Kumey district of Arunachal Pradesh. However, the sample of the study has been selected to all the 15 administrative centres of the district.

The district is located between 27º 45’ to 28º 22’ N latitudes and 92º 00’ to 94º 15’ E longitudes and spread over an area of 6,675 sq. km.

It is bounded by Tibet (China) in the north, Upper Subansiri District in the East, East Kameng District in the West, Lower Subansiri District and a portion of Papum Pare District in the South.

Methodology of Study

The data for the study were collected from primary and secondary sources.

The tools used for data collection from primary sources were questionnaires, interviews and personal observation.

Personal observation was helpful in obtaining information especially on the types and distribution of infrastructure and ancillary activities and also of the physical condition of the facilities in the study area.

Secondary data on the other hand were collected from state government’s publish documents.

Conceptual FrameworkThe concepts upon which this study revolves are infrastructure and poverty. They are discussed to enable us have the basis and frame for this subject.

Concept of Infrastructure

Concept of Poverty

Types and Distribution of Infrastructural Facilities in the Study AreaCircle

Facility

School Police

Station

Electricity (No.

Of Village)

Road

(Tarred)

Post

Office

Hospital Primary Health

Centres

Bank

Chambang1 - - - 1 - 1 -

Damin1 - - - 1 - - -

Gangte1 - - - - - - -

Koloriang4 1 35 1 1 1 - 1

Nyapin5 1 27 1 1 - 1 -

Palin7 1 34 1 1 1 - 1

Pania1 - - - - - - -

Parsi-Parlo1 - - - 1 - - -

Phassang1 - - - - - - -

Pipsorang1 - - - - - - -

Sangram3 1 26 1 1 - 1 1

Sarli1 - 3 - 1 - 1 -

Tali1 - - - - - - -

Tarak-Langdi1 - - - - - - -

Yangte2 - - - - - - -

Total 31 4 125 4 8 2 4 3

The Role of Facilities on Poverty Alleviation

The role of infrastructure facilities in achieving poverty reduction cannot be over emphasized. Infrastructure helps in promoting rural employment.

Upon these and many other roles, I have tried to determine how the infrastructures under study have alleviated poverty in the study area which includes: Physical Development, Educational Status, Health Services, etc.

In this study, the following indices were used to determine the impact of the facilities on poverty alleviation in the study area. They are; access to medical care, employment, literacy and mortality ratio.

Problems of Facility Development in the Area

In spite of these enormous contributions to rural poverty alleviation, facility provision and development is facing some problems in the study area in particular and district as a whole.Facilities considered inadequate by the people of the study area are police station, post offices and roads. In the case of the roads, majority are not tarred.The second most important problem that confronts the study area in terms of facility development is the maintenance of existing facilities. The study shows that the condition of some facilities in the area is very poor as some of them are very old and have not been adequately maintained.

Problems of Facility Development in the Area

The third most important factor affecting facility development is the attitude of government, particularly the state government in locating more facilities in the study area.

Rural areas seem not to interest government when it comes to facility location.

The attitude of government in investing in facilities particularly in rural areas as shown in this study is affecting poverty alleviation.

Conclusion

A major emphasis of the rural development programmes in Arunachal Pradesh, whether in the past or presently, is the development of rural infrastructure for poverty reduction.

Unfortunately, not much has been achieved due to faulty implementation. As a result, the rural areas still remain places of poverty, disease and deaths, high unemployment and illiteracy.

In the study area, few infrastructural facilities are available and their impacts have been highlighted. However, these impacts have not met the desires and the aspiration of the majority of the people of the study area.

Suggestions

For poverty to be reduced to its minimum through facility provision in the rural areas, the following suggestions are therefore necessary for implementation.

There is need to articulate all the rural development plans and come out with a more viable and formidable programmes which entertains the entire needs of the rural people.

These programmes should be genuinely set and governments at the various levels should be involved in the operationalization and implementation for improved standard of living of the rural people.

Suggestions

The effects of the inadequacy of these facilities in the area are enormous including accessibility problems.

It is therefore recommended that settlements having over one thousand population should have a health centre, water facility, market, electricity and a postal agency.

All roads linking the settlements should be tarred for the purpose of improved accessibility.

To do this, governments should develop infrastructural development plans for which there could be collaborative engagement to provide infrastructure.

Thanks