CHANDIGARH, June 23: An interactive colloquium was organised today at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) to focus on the employment potential of the urban poor and to improve their quality of life.While welcoming the participants comprising presidents of Municipal Councils and Executive Officers of Punjab, J.P. Gupta, former chairman Punjab Finance Commission, observed that in Punjab, poverty was dominant in urban areas and the cause was the migration of rural poor to the cities.He observed that the results of earlier urban poverty eradication programmes were not encouraging. Even today basic services like sanitation, water supply, primary health facilities and education are not available, he said.The central government and state government have now provided funds for upgrading the skills of urban poor and made access to credit easier. Self employment is more sustainable as compared to wage employment.
