JK govt owes answer on increase in poverty rate to people: BJP

BJP today said the NC-Congress combine government owes an explanation to the people on the rise in poverty rate in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The National Conference (NC)-Congress combine owes an explanation to the people as to why, despite its claims of various poverty alleviation schemes, poverty rate in the state went up from 9.4 per cent in 2009-10 to 10.35 per cent in 2011-12 and the number of people living below poverty line (BPL) in rural areas from 8.1 per cent to 11.5 per cent," BJP national executive member and state chief spokesperson, Dr Jitendra Singh said.
Financial allocation details clearly show the government's brazen discrimination with least regard for socio-economic indicators, which normally determine any poverty alleviation programme, he alleged.

"Till a few years ago, Jammu and Kashmir was showing a steady decline in poverty rate, but was reversed due to poor performance of the present regime," Singh said.
Misgovernance and pilferage of the state exchequer and inequitable financial allocations based on political rather than professional considerations are some factors responsible for the present economic mess, he added.