Synopsis Poverty is the main characteristic feature of South Asian countries, including India, which is and has been hindering the prosperity of this region. This book is an endeavour to understand the weaknesses and deficiencies of the poverty alleviation programmes of the Governments and hence there upon to identify the remedial measures and suggestions for enhancing the impact of poverty alleviation programmes. The book also aims to sensitise researchers students and policy makers working in variety of disciplines to the complexities of the issues relating to the subject of poverty.