Planning Commission's figures on poverty slammed by parties

Political parties, including UPA constituent NCP, today rubbished the Planning Commission's claim that the number of poor people had declined to 21.9% and said the criteria for identifying them should be updated.

BJP slammed the figures as a 'political gimmick' and a 'conspiracy' of the Congress to deprive the poor of the benefits of government schemes while CPI(M) said it amounted to 'adding salt to the wounds of the poor'.

NCP, which is part of the government, said it does not agree with the Planning Commission figures and that there should be a new ceiling for guaging poverty considering the current situation.

BJD said the country still has a large population of poor people as he criticised the data that showed the number of those living below the poverty line has shrunk to 21.9% in 2011-12 from 37.2% in 2004-05 on account of increase in per capita consumption.

Commenting on the figures released by the Planning Commission yesterday, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, 'The latest report showing reduction in the number of people below the poverty line is a conspiracy of the Congress against the poor to deprive them of the benefits of BPL schemes. This is the Congress mindset against the poor.'

He said these poverty figures do not reflect the price rise and is just a 'political gimmick' to show more people are now out of poverty by lowering the benchmark.