Synopsis Most of the programmes for direct attack on poverty are good politics but bad economics. They are populist measures for various considerations. The book has evaluated the efficacy of the poverty alleviation programmes on the basis of micro level study with this conclusion that poverty alleviation programmes have filled the coffers of a group of people who are much above the poverty line. The book throws sufficient light on political economy of poverty and poverty alleviation programmes. Poverty has been measured in the study on the basis of head count ratio (H), Income Gap ratio (I), Ginni con efficients (G) and Amartya Sen Index (P). The book has evaluated the self-employment programmes, wage employment programmes and National Social Assistance Programmes separately and in that process limiting factors in way of poverty alleviation programmes have been identified. The book will be of interest to policy-makers, teachers and students of economics and all others, who have interest in the economics of poverty in India.