(a) whether any survey/study conducted to find out the reasons for widening of gap between the rich and the poor in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto along with the value of assets of the rich and the poor people in the country during 1990-91 and 2010-11; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
(a)to (c): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 354 FOR ANSWER ON MARCH 20, 2015 REGARDING “GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR”.
(a)& (b): The Government has not conducted any specific study to find out the reasons for widening of gap between rich and poor in the country. However, National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation conducts surveys on Debt and Investment which collects data on asset value of the households. These surveys are conducted once in approximately ten years. As per All-India Debt and Investment Survey conducted in 1992, the average asset value of the bottom 30% of the households in 1991 was Rs. 56,888 in rural areas and Rs. 64,348 in urban areas. The average asset value of the top 30% of the households in 1991 was Rs. 1,76,697 in rural areas and Rs. 2,56,671 in urban areas. As per survey on Debt and Investment in India conducted by NSSO in 2013, the average asset value of the bottom 30% of the households in 2012 was Rs. 88,708 in rural areas and Rs. 25,761 in urban areas. The average asset value of the top 30% of the households in 2012 was Rs. 27,20,381 in rural areas and Rs. 66,91,565 in urban areas. Due to difference in concepts and definitions followed in two rounds in respect of some important parameters, the results of both surveys are not strictly comparable.
(c):Reduction of economic inequalities has been one of the primary policy objectives of the development planning in India. The Government has initiated various measures to improve the quality of life of the people and to benefit the people at the lower end of the income distribution in the country through direct intervention by implementing specific poverty reduction and mitigation programmes. This includes Pradhan Mantri Jan-DhanYojana (PMJDY), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Rajiv AwasYojana (RAY), Indira AwasYojana (IAY), National Health Mission (NHM), Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission (RGNDWM), National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) etc. These interventions are expected to yield better results over time in terms of reduction in the gap between rich and poor and overall balanced development in the country.