How the new poverty census is different

The special census approved by the Union cabinet to map poverty and caste would be different from that conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO).

NSSO’s is a sample on consumption expenditure and not a census. Their work provides inputs to the Planning Commission to base their poverty estimates, as a percentage of the population.

The below poverty line (BPL) census conducted hitherto by the rural development ministry every five years is aimed at identifying the beneficiaries of government welfare schemes during the plan periods. The previous such census was in 2002. The next one, scheduled for 2007, could not take place because the 2002 census was mired in litigation.

Caste was included in the to-be-conducted census as the government had promised in Parliament to conduct one. Hence, the cabinet decided to do both — the census on the poor, as well as their caste. Also, the caste census would show the religion of the population as well.

However, the numbers for caste won’t be made public at the local levels: it will be done for regional and national aggregates. The BPL numbers have to be verified by a gram sabha or a similar body.

India’s chief statistician, T C A Anant ,told Business Standard the census to be done by the rural development ministry differs in basics was not the same as the NSS one.

“The NSS basically is a survey based on consumer expenditure of an individual and not a poverty estimate. Ours is a completely different exercise and will not infringe upon the work being done by the rural development ministry and others,” Anant said.

The numbers given by the Planning Commission or the National Advisory Council are a proportion of population which is below poverty line and not the actual numbers. This proportion is calculated based on the NSS findings, which is a household survey of consumer expenditure on a regular basis.

Based on NSSO data for 2009-10, the Commission has made a rough estimate that India’s poverty has gone down from 37.2 per cent during 2004-05 to 32 per cent in 2009-10.