Criticism Leads Govt to Revise Poverty Line Yardstick

Bangalore: Poverty still remains the main issue in India as it has turned out to be a massive hindrance in the economic and social development of the country. Most recently, it was claimed that the number of people under poverty line had reduced to 21.9 percent in 2011-2012 from 37.2 percent in 2004-05. It is a drop from 407 million to 269 million, a 138 million fall altogether, as per the Planning Commission data, reported Times of India.

But this considerable fall in the rate of poverty seems doubtful to the masses and as a debate arises from all corners of the country about the significant fall in the number of poverty rate when there are still many people who do not get to have a full meal daily.

The government is now all set to re-evaluate the controversial poverty line rate and have decided to increase the amount of 27.20 in rural areas and 33.40 in urban areas after receiving the Rangarajan Committee report.

Though the ruling and opposition leaders have proposed an expense of Rs 27 and Rs 33 per person per day as a standard for defining poverty, the government has not decided on it yet.

Also Read: Only 26.7 Percent below Poverty Line by 2015