Pc & Politics of Poverty in India
"PLANNING COMMISSSION AND POLITICS OF POVERTY AND HUNGER IN INDIA." Recently in a curiously timed press release, the Planning Commission of India, government’s official think tank, released the data regarding current poverty levels and present Government’s success in bringing it down and with this associated political circus is back in town and tall claims of poverty eradication is being made from the power-corridors. The Planning Commission has claimed poverty is at a record low of 22%, a first for India and that poverty has magically declined by 15% since 2004-5. According to it the poverty ratio was 37.2 percent in 2004-05 and fell to 21.9% by 2011-12 (coinciding with 7 year rule of present alliance).
Interestingly, the reduction in poverty is being flaunted at a time when the Planning Commission is still not sure about the new poverty line. Politics of poverty is at play for sure and media coverage showed it clearly as how political forces mould economic policies.
With the general election fast approaching, the ruling party lost no time in claiming that poverty had come down in the country due to the pro-poor policies of the present government. It has stood by the Planning Commission`s finding that poverty had declined significantly during its rule, arguing that it only pointed to the inclusive growth model of the present government.
Ruling party’s attempt to capitalize on the Planning Commission’s latest estimation of poverty is in the centre of present political storm, as it concerns millions of those who live below the poverty line and who constitute permanent vote banks of political parties of all hues.
Not only this, it has International dimension too, as we know Government has to present its report in UN and related bodies regarding poverty related Millenium Development Goal (MDG).
The other aspect of the story is measure of poverty and poverty line. The estimation of poverty has a direct bearing on who all
Interestingly, the reduction in poverty is being flaunted at a time when the Planning Commission is still not sure about the new poverty line. Politics of poverty is at play for sure and media coverage showed it clearly as how political forces mould economic policies.
With the general election fast approaching, the ruling party lost no time in claiming that poverty had come down in the country due to the pro-poor policies of the present government. It has stood by the Planning Commission`s finding that poverty had declined significantly during its rule, arguing that it only pointed to the inclusive growth model of the present government.
Ruling party’s attempt to capitalize on the Planning Commission’s latest estimation of poverty is in the centre of present political storm, as it concerns millions of those who live below the poverty line and who constitute permanent vote banks of political parties of all hues.
Not only this, it has International dimension too, as we know Government has to present its report in UN and related bodies regarding poverty related Millenium Development Goal (MDG).
The other aspect of the story is measure of poverty and poverty line. The estimation of poverty has a direct bearing on who all