Rejecting widespread criticism for pegging poverty line at Rs 28.65 for daily consumption, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek singh Ahluwalia today asserted the number of poor in the country has come down irrespective of the method of calculation.
"Whatever poverty line you choose, the question is poverty in the country is going down. Some people have said it was not correct. Poverty is not going down. I reject that view. I categorically say whatever indicator you use things are getting better in this country," Ahluwalia said.
According to the Commission's estimates, based on the Tendulkar Committee formula, poverty ratio has declined to 29.8 per cent in 2009-10, from 37.2 per cent in 2004-05. But the ratio has been worked out based on a controversial per capita daily consumption of Rs 28.65 in cities and Rs 22.42 in rural areas.
He said the Rs 28.65 poverty line would not be linked with the social sector schemes of the government. "The Commission will take a holistic view with what poverty line we want to go ahead. It is clear we are no linking it with the beneficiaries of the social sector schemes," he said. Ahluwalia, who was talking to reporters after ground-breaking ceremony of the Trident group's textile unit, however, said, "The Tendulkar Committee line ... I think, it is quite reasonable. Today, we are growing faster.”
Earlier this week, Ahluwalia was the target of attack after the Planning Commission put out the poverty numbers. Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav even demanded for his removal.