Job creation in the fields of science, technology, healthcare, education, transportation, defence, energy, food and infrastructure development is one of the most important challenges to met by any government. It's fundamentally linked to the progress and development of any country (and the whole world at large) and any group of people that don't pay attention to steadily and continuously expanding the workforce in these fields at a rate commensurate with population growth only invite trouble upon themselves.
At the same time, the present situation is such that just job creation in the above fields will not solve the problem of widespread unemployment and poverty.
In the very short term the following strategy may help in combatting dire poverty:
Give zero interest loans of Rs. 50,000/- per poor family to start a small business (I would start with the homeless who can be seen sleeping on the streets). Alongside, advise them on how to run the business and save money. These loans can be given after a background check and recovered in regular small instalments (of say Rs. 1000/- per month).
It can be insisted that the business be something that adds value to society: fruits & vegetables / juice shops / food / clothes / simple household essentials / toys / etc.
The money will be recovered in about four years anyway. Plus many of these businesses may start doing well enough over time to start paying taxes.
I think such a strategy would help in bringing a large number of people out of dire poverty quickly and we need to do that.
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