Impact of Microfinance in Poverty Alleviation a Comparative Study of U.P and Bihar

Poverty in Bihar: Pattern, Dimensions And Eradication Strategies” held in Patna from 18th to 20th April 2010, organised by the Institute for Human Development, New Delhi in partnership with the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The seminar made valuable contributions to the ongoing efforts of the Bihar government towards poverty alleviation. Inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Bihar, Mr. Nitish Kumar, the three-day seminar was a part of the Institute for Human Development’s Research Programme on Inclusive Development in Bihar. Its key objective was to analyse the nature and pattern of poverty in Bihar, discuss the issues relating to its measurement and identification, and suggest an effective and innovative strategy for its eradication. A galaxy of scholars, policy-makers and practitioners presented papers and discussed a wide variety of issues such as identifying the poor, key dimensions of poverty in Bihar, gender disparities, experiences and success stories in poverty reduction in India, development paths for poverty reduction, the framework for State intervention, whether targeted schemes and programmes reach the poor and the excluded, and strategies, priorities and prospects for poverty reduction in Bihar. These discussions were spread over nine sessions in three days and included an international round table on the experiences and success stories in poverty reduction. We express our gratitude to the paper presenters, discussants, chairpersons and participants at the seminar for their very rich and meaningful interventions. As the seminar was held early in the life of the IHD’s Bihar Research Programme, the discussions and deliberations therein would greatly contribute towards shaping the Programme. We are grateful to our adviser, Ms. Janine Rodgers for detailed discussions, her expert inputs and involvement at every stage of this seminar. We also express our gratitude to our colleagues at