Planning Commission Distances Itself From Rs 32 Poverty Yardstick

Distancing itself from the controversial Rs 32 poverty cut off limit, the Planning Commission today said a new methodology will be worked out to determine entitlements of beneficiaries under various schemes for poor.

A Socio-Economic and Caste-Economic census was also underway to survey all rural households to collect information about socio-economic indicators that is expected to be completed by January next year.

An expert committee will be appointed to ensure that the new methodology is consistent with the provisions of the Food Security Bill as it finally emerges, a joint statement issued by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said.

The current weaknesses in identification of households under BPL will be corrected by determining eligibility for the priority category under a new scientific Socio-Economic and Caste-Economic Census underway.

Addressing a joint press conference, Ahluwalia said the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court was based on methodology for computing poverty suggested by the Tendulkar Committee.


From: http://ping.fm/LRlQb