Question : IDENTIFICATION OF BPL FAMILIES

(a) whether there is huge difference between the number of BPL families identified by the Union and the State Governments;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise/UT-wise;

(c) the quantum of foodgrains supplied by the Union Government to State Government for distribution amongst BPL families during the last three years, State wise/UT -wise indicating the manner in which BPL families benefitted therefrom;

(d) whether the Government has laid down norms to identify BPL families;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the present population of BPL families in the country, State-wise/UT-wise; and

(f) the details of schemes/programmes formulated and implemented for the welfare and upliftment of BPL families and the number of BPL families benefitted from those schemes and programmes?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)

(a)&(b): The Ministry of Rural Development provides financial and technical support to the States/UTs for conducting the BPL Census to identify the families living Below the Poverty Line in the rural areas who could be targeted under its programmes. Thus the State Government and UT Administration identify the BPL families and not the Union Government.

(c): The Department of Food & Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution is the nodal department of the Government of India for supply of foodgrains. The quantum of foodgrains supplied by the Union Government to State Government for distribution amongst BPL families during the last three years is given at Annexure -1.

(d) & (e): The last BPL Census was conducted in 2002 using the methodology of score based ranking of each household on socio-economic indicators taken as a proxy indicators of poverty on recommendation of an Expert Group constituted. State-wise statement showing rural BPL families identified by the States/UTs under BPL Census, 2002 are given in Annexure-II.

(f): The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing poverty alleviation programmes/schemes in rural areas of the country through State Governments and UT Administrations. The programmes namely Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)/National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM)/Ajeevika, Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) are for the benefit of persons living Below Poverty Line (BPL). The number of Swaragarwaries assisted under SGSY/NRLM/Ajeevika during the year 2011-12 is 1320424 and the total number of houses sanctioned to below poverty line under IAY during 2011-12 is 3031553.