Question : METHODOLOGY FOR MEASUREMENT OF POVERTY

(a) whether an Expert Group under the Chairmanship of Dr. C. Rangarajan to review the methodology for measurement of poverty in the country has submitted its report;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the major findings/recommendations of the Expert Group;

(c) the assessment about the numbers and percentage of the poor in the country on the basis of the said methodology, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Report has also reviewed the divergence between the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) estimates in consumption expenditure and those put up by the Central Statistical Organisation and if so, the outcome of the said reviews; and

(e) the follow-up action taken/being taken by the Government on the findings/recommendations of the Expert Group?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) MINISTRY OF PLANNING,MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 354 REGARDING “METHODOLOGY FOR MEASUREMENT OF POVERTY” RAISED BY SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI AND PROF. SAUGATA ROY DUE FOR ANSWER ON 1st AUGUST, 2014.

(a): The Expert Group under the Chairmanship of Dr. C. Rangarajan to Review the Methodology for Measurement of Poverty in the country constituted by the Planning Commission in June 2012 has submitted its report on 30th June 2014.

(b): The major findings/recommendations of the Expert Group are given at annexure I.

(c): As per the Rangarajan Expert Group Report, State/UT-wise number and percentage of poor in the country for the year 2011-12 is given at annexure II.

(d): The report of the Expert Group mentions that estimates of consumption expenditure seen in the National Accounts Statistics and as inferred from the sample surveys of the National Sample Survey Organisation show a large and growing variance. It has preferred NSSO’s estimates and decided not to use the NAS estimates for estimation of poverty.

(e): A copy of the report has been placed on the website of the Planning Commission. Further, soft copy of the report has also been forwarded to Secretaries of various Central Ministries/Departments and Chief Secretary of the State Governments for information and comments/feedback. The report of the Expert Group-Rangarajan will be examined in the light of comments/feedback received from all stakeholders.