In a bold move to make Uttar Pradesh poverty-free, the Yogi Adityanath government has launched a significant initiative aimed at transforming the lives of the state’s poorest families. Under the “Zero Poverty” campaign, the government has set an ambitious target to uplift 20,500 families in Aligarh by the end of the year, with plans to extend the program statewide.

The focus is on identifying families that are struggling to meet even the most basic daily needs. These are families who live in abject poverty, where a single day’s absence from work can mean they go without food or fuel. In Aligarh, a district with over 768,000 families, the government has pinpointed 20,500 families across 12 blocks as eligible for aid under this transformative initiative.

Comprehensive support plan for the poorest families

As part of the Zero Poverty Uttar Pradesh campaign, these 20,500 families, many of whom lack permanent housing, will receive comprehensive support. Chief Development Officer (CDO) Prakhar Singh outlined that the state intends to leverage existing government schemes to improve the living standards of these families, providing a pathway out of poverty. Beneficiaries will gain access to a variety of services and assistance, including:

PM Awas Yojana: To provide affordable housing.

Education Benefits: Free education for children, along with uniforms and mid-day meals.

Healthcare Support: Free medical treatment through the Ayushman Bharat card.

Employment Programs: Job training under various government schemes, including MNREGA.

Gas Connections: Free Ujjwala LPG connections to ensure clean cooking.

Marriage Grant: Financial assistance for family weddings.

With a targeted completion date of December 2025, the government aims to ensure that the selected families see tangible improvements in their quality of life, lifting them from the cycle of poverty.

Methodology for family selection

The selection of the 20,500 families was carried out through a meticulous process, based on the directives of the Chief Minister. CDO Singh explained that the identification was done at the grassroots level, with the help of Panchayat Assistants, Group Sakhis, and ASHA workers in every Gram Panchayat.

The next step involves a detailed verification process, where a five-member team—comprising the current Pradhan, a former Pradhan, the local school headmaster, and other community leaders — will vote to finalise the list of beneficiaries. Only those families that receive more than three votes will be included in the program.

Once identified and verified, these families will be enrolled in various government schemes, such as the Awas Yojana, Ration Card program, and Family ID, ensuring they receive all the benefits they are entitled to.

Aiming for a poverty-free Uttar Pradesh

By the end of 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government aims to make significant strides toward alleviating poverty in the state, with plans to extend the Zero Poverty campaign across all districts. If successful, this initiative could set a benchmark for similar poverty eradication efforts nationwide.