Poverty Trends and Patterns — Policy Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
42nd Amendment Act	1976	This amendment added 'socialist' to the Preamble, reinforcing the state's commitment to social and economic justice. It also introduced Article 39A, mandating the state to provide free legal aid to ensure justice is not denied to any citizen due to economic or other disabilities.	Strengthened the constitutional directive for the state to work towards reducing economic disparities and ensuring equitable access to justice, which are indirect but crucial aspects of poverty alleviation. It provided a stronger legal basis for 'social security measures for poverty alleviation' [VY:ECO-11-02-03].
73rd and 74th Amendment Acts	1992	These amendments institutionalized Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), devolving powers and responsibilities to local self-governments, including for economic development and social justice.	Empowered local bodies to plan and implement poverty alleviation and rural development programs at the grassroots level, theoretically improving targeting and effectiveness. This decentralization is vital for addressing 'rural urban poverty statistics' and local specific needs.