Madhya Pradesh’s Garib Kalyan Mission, approved by the state cabinet, targets poverty elimination by 2028 through improved multidimensional poverty indices, livelihood strengthening, and community empowerment. Led by CM Mohan Yadav, the mission integrates existing welfare schemes to foster self-reliance and prosperity, marking a significant step toward economic upliftment for the state’s poorest communities.
Madhya Pradesh’s Bold Vision to Eliminate Poverty by 2028
The Madhya Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has set an ambitious goal to make the state poverty-free by 2028 through the Garib Kalyan Mission. Approved by the state cabinet on January 15, 2025, the initiative focuses on three core components: improving the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), strengthening livelihoods, and empowering local organizations to drive sustainable development.
Announced by CM Yadav on Independence Day 2024, the mission aims to streamline the implementation of existing government schemes while fostering community-driven efforts to ensure self-reliance. Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya emphasized that the mission will enhance economic opportunities for the state’s most deprived sections, aligning with national efforts like the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which provides free food grains to over 81 crore people across India.
The mission builds on India’s recent progress in poverty reduction. According to a World Bank report, India’s extreme poverty rate dropped from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 5.3% in 2022-23, with 269 million people lifted above the international poverty line. Madhya Pradesh has contributed to this through schemes like direct benefit transfers and women-centric financial aid programs, which have been adopted by states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu as well.
The Garib Kalyan Mission will leverage data-driven strategies to improve MPI metrics, focusing on health, education, and living standards. By strengthening livelihoods, the state aims to create sustainable income sources through skill development and job creation programs. Additionally, the mission emphasizes empowering local organizations, such as self-help groups and cooperatives, to ensure grassroots-level impact.
The state government has allocated significant resources to support the mission. For instance, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, with a budget of ₹11.80 trillion until 2028, ensures food security for 810 million beneficiaries nationwide, including a substantial portion in Madhya Pradesh. Other national schemes like Ayushman Bharat, covering 550 million people, and the PM Ujjwala Yojana, providing 10 crore LPG connections, will complement the state’s efforts.
Madhya Pradesh’s rural monthly per capita consumption has seen a nearly threefold increase, rising from ₹1,430 in 2011-12 to ₹4,122 in 2023-24, reflecting growing economic resilience. The mission aims to accelerate this progress by integrating renewable energy initiatives, such as the PM Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme, which will install solar rooftop plants through public-private partnerships by 2025-26.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports and official statements from sources like The Times of India, Hindustan Times, and World Bank data. Information is accurate as of July 4, 2025, and subject to change as new developments emerge. Readers are advised to verify details through official government channels.