Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Poverty Politics

Have you marked the western tourist, taking the pictures of beggars and urchins? Internet is flooded with pictures of India that has only pictures of beggars, tribal and poor. Till date, when western country papers write a story about Indian society or quality of life, invariably,the article will have pictures of beggars and unhygienic places. As per the report by planning commission we have made remarkable jump from 2005
to 2012 by reducing below poverty line population from 37.2% to 21.9%.

The planning commission released for a change, some numbers to cheer. There are lesser number of Indian's living below poverty line than were in 2005.According to the commission, in 2012 21.9% or 269.3 million live under poverty line. This figure is much lower compared to 407.1 in 2005 or 37.2%.In 1994, 45.3% lived below poverty line. No doubt we have come a long way since 1994 and the jump from 2005 to 2012 is remarkable.


The credit goes to economic growth of India. the Indian economy during last eight years has shown a growth of over 9%. At the same time, rural prosperity has increased. Agricultural wages have increased. During the 11th Plan period(2007-12) agricultural wages have raised much faster at 6.8%.

All this was possible due to growth. In Bihar growth in agriculture and money coming from migrant workers helped people to cross over the BPL mark. Similarly, in Odisha mining and migrant money helped. However, this had little or no effect in Chhatishgarh. The state could only reduce poverty by 9.47% in-spite of showing 8.69% GDP growth. So, if growth could reduce poverty why it did not have any effect in Chhatishgarh, where more 40% population is still below poverty line which is double the national average.

We have to achieve growth by improving education system, healthcare and food distribution and by providing more employment opportunity. Growth will not be able to reduce poverty after a certain point if all these things are not taken into account.

To add to this, our politicians made another remarkable statement stating that one can have full meal at RS12/- and RS5/-. How is this possible I do not see rice in near by grocery shop below RS40/- per Kg. The Rupee mark of RS27/- in rural area and Rs33/- in urban as the poverty line mark needs to be recalculated.

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