(a) the criteria presently adopted by the Government for
defining the Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty
Line (APL) categories;
(b) whether the Government is not providing subsidised
ration and sugar to the APL families; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) : Planning Commission is the nodal agency of the Government
of India for estimating poverty at National and State levels.
Planning Commission defines poverty line on the basis of Monthly
Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) as the criterion. For
estimating the poverty, Planning Commission uses the defined poverty
line based on the methodology suggested by experts in the field.
For allocation of foodgrains (wheat and rice) to States
and Union Territories (UTs) under Targeted Public Distribution System
(TPDS), Department of Food & Public Distribution uses the number of
Below Poverty Line (BPL) families based on 1993-94 poverty estimates
of Planning Commission and the population estimates of Registrar
General of India as on 1st March 2000 or the number of such families
actually identified and ration cards issued to them by State/UT
Governments, whichever is less.
(b) & (c) : Depending upon their availability in central pool
and past offtake, foodgrains are being allocated to Above Poverty
Line (APL) families at the Central Issue Price of Rs.6.10 per kg for
wheat and Rs.8.30 per kg for rice. Presently, the allocations for
APL category range between 15 kg and 35 kg foodgrains per family
per month in different States/UTs. In view of special geographical
conditions and difficult terrain, allocation @ 35 kg/family/month
is being made to 13 special category States/UTs including the North
Eastern States, Sikkim, hilly States of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal
Pradesh & Uttarakhand and Island UTs of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
and Lakshadweep. Details of State-wise allocation and offtake of
foodgrains in respect of APL category are given at Annexure - I.
As regards distribution of sugar to APL families under
TPDS, Government has restructured the supply of levy sugar in
February, 2001 and restricted its supply to Below Poverty Line (BPL)
families except in North Eastern States, Hilly States and Island
Territories where universal coverage was allowed to continue.
Details of monthly levy sugar quota for above-referred States/UTs
is at Annexure - II.