Well I was in a state of dilemma and rather perplexed on what
to blog about until I saw an article in the Times of India today which focused on the not
so drastic yet surprising figures documented by Indian Planning Commission(IPC) in
its newly announced poverty measurements which showed a considerable drop in the poverty
levels. The commission’s
latest estimate, show a 7 percent drop in India’s poor, the largest fall
since its formal inception way back in 1962.
Hope all remember how outraged the public went at the idea
that the poverty line should be 32 rupees (or 63 cents) for urban India and 26 rupees
(or 51 cents) for rural India? However this year has seen a hefty 12
percent drop to 29 rupees for urban India and 22 rupees for rural India. And
believe it or not, this is no prestidigitation to show a drop so evident in poverty.
Anyhow as usual, given the furor it can create and India being a place where even something as seemingly innocuous as a statistic can become a politically loaded football, the critics
had their task cut out in accusing the commission for shifting the goal posts and
some even claiming that the figures were fudged, also adding that the data will
create needless controversy and confusion.
The commission panel however cited two reasons for the decline, one being the per capita income which has increased multi fold in these five years as
compared to 10 years earlier and the other to the decline in
fertility rates i.e. "A smaller family with more income is prosperous,” a panel member explains.
But even though the figures seem to be statistically correct,
being from an average middle class family I do wonder “How can one survive for a
day on Rs 28 in urban areas and Rs 22.5 in rural areas?” Seems quite a tough ordeal,
at least to me and those who think alike.
Will keep you posted. So till then good luck and be happy.
Will keep you posted. So till then good luck and be happy.
