Poverty is defined as a social phenomenon in which a section of the society is unable to fulfill even its basic necessisities of life. When the quantum of such deprived section is huge and continues at bare subsistence level, the society can be tagged as plagued with mass poverty.
In Indian society, according to Prof. Suresh Tendulkar, the chairman of Planning Commission, a person would be considered poor, as on 2009-10, if his monthly income is less than Rs. 673 in rural areas and Rs.860 in urban areas, meaning Rs.29 or more in urban areas and Rs. 22 and above in rural areas would not be called poor!!! The Hon. SC has questioned this methodology submitted by Prof. Tendulkar’s committee. The Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Shri Montek singh Ahluwalia was queried by the Hon. SC, that how can a person consume 2400 calories in rural area and 2100 calories in urban area with less than Rs. 22 a day in rural and Rs.29 a day in urban areas?
As per this standard, internationally most commonly accepted definition of poverty, is US$ 2 a day. If we convert the same in rupees, it would amount to Rs. 112 per day!!! Thus, the definition which defies poverty line with an amount, which is nearly one third, appears absolutely absurd.
This indicates redundant projection of poor and deprived class of Indian society and the insensitiveness of the Government of India, towards lower starta of society, where Govt is unable to provide for minimum subsistence cost of living. The Govt of India refuses to recognize poor as deprived class and finds comfortable gate-away from the reality and responsibility..
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