A new poverty conundrum

If India's poverty level has declined significantly, why should free food be available to more than half its population?

The first phase of the election to the legislative Assemblies of five states concluded on Tuesday, November 7. Three more phases will be held — on November 17, 23 and 30 — to complete the election process and decide the winners of 679 Assembly seats in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana. Understandably, poll promises have been made in plenty by different political parties during their campaigns. But a promise that outranks almost all other promises, both in terms of its appeal and impact, came from Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week.

While addressing an election rally at Durg