Question : NORMS FOR BPL

(a) the existing norms to categorise people living Below Poverty Line (BPL);

(b) whether there is any proposal to review the norms for the people living Below Poverty Line;

(c) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor; and

(d) the time by which the revised norms are likely to be finalised and implemented?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) :The BPL census, 2002 was conducted using the methodology of score based ranking of rural households for which 13 socio – economic parameters were used. A list of 13 parameters is given in the Annexure.

(b) :Yes, Sir.

(c):An Expert Group has been set up to suggest a suitable methodology including the parameters to be used for identification of BPL families living in rural areas. The Expert Group was constituted in pursuance of the directive given by National Development Council (NDC) while approving the 11th Five Year Plan document stating that “the Planning Commission should constitute an Expert Group with representatives from States, academics and civil society and evolve an acceptable criteria and methodology for the forthcoming BPL survey”.

(d) :The term of the Expert Group expires on 15.7.2009 and report of the expert group is expected very soon. The BPL census 2009 will be conducted on the basis of parameters finalised by the Expert Group.