(a) whether the figures relating to Below Poverty Line (BPL) population
presented by the States and the Union Government are at variance;
(b) if so, the details of the figures submitted by the States and the Union
Government, State-wise;
(c) whether even today, the poverty line is being determined on the basis
of the figures of the year 2004;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps being taken by the Government to work out the correct figure
in respect of BPL families?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING, SCIENCE & TECHNOLGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. ASHWANI KUMAR)
(a): This is too early to get BPL population figure for the states as well
as for the country as the Socio-Economic survey is underway. Figures of 2002
rural BPL survey on one hand and Poverty estimation of the Planning Commission
then on the other have variations as both of them are not the same & hence not
comparable because both exercises are based on different methodology.
(b): Does not arise in the present context. However, the figures emerging
from the estimation done in 2004-05 by the Planning Commission & the BPL survey
of 2002 are in Annexure- I & II respectively.
(c): Yes, Madam.
(d): BPL survey will be on the basis of door to door survey based on self-declaration.
However, Tendulkar Committee’s report on poverty estimate was based on NSSO survey of
2004-05 because (61st Round) NSSO Survey was the latest survey then.
(e): Socio-Economic Survey will capture the real time data. Planning Commission
is in the process of estimating the revised per capita poverty line as per the
Tendulkar methodology on the basis of 2009-10 NSSO survey data on household consumer
expenditure which are now available.