(a) whether the gap between the rich and the poor has widened in
the country during the period between 2004-05 to 2011-12;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government in
this regard;
(c) whether the said gap varies in different States of the country; and
(d) if so, the details of the variance of the said gap in each State
during the year 2011-12?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS & PLANNING (SHRI RAJEEV SHUKLA)
(a) & (b): The data on household consumption expenditure collected by National Sample
Survey Office (NSSO) reveals that during the period 2004-05 to 2011-12, ratio of monthly
per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) of top 20% to bottom 20% of population has
reduced from 3.9 times in 2004-05 to 3.4 times in 2011-12 in the rural areas and has
decreased from 5.9 times in 2004-05 to 5.7 times 2011-12 in urban areas.
(c) & (d): The ratio of monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) of top 20% to
bottom 20% of population varies across States during the year 2011-12. The State-wise ratio
in rural and urban areas in the year 2011-12 is given at Annexure.