Terming the Planning Commission data on poverty scenario as a "cruel joke" on poor, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said that the UPA government at Centre was merely paying lip service to the eradication of poverty. "Instead of reducing poverty in reality the Centre is actually minimising it on papers.
The latest figures of the Planning Commission are confusing and a cruel joke on poor," Chouhan told reporters in Nagda town before heading for his ongoing roadshows in the region. The Chief Minister said that the condition of poor in the country was far from being improved. As per the government benchmark, a person earning over Rs 34 per day is above the poverty line.
"I would like to ask the Prime Minister and Congress president whether they could have their meal in just Rs 32," Chouhan said, adding that the definition of poverty by the panel was unfortunate and misplaced. The senior BJP leader said that the Centre has failed to rein in inflation and is instead increasing prices of petrol and diesel adding to the woes of people.
The latest data on poverty released by the Planning Commission on Monday said that people whose consumption of goods exceeds Rs 33 in cities, and Rs 27.20 per day in villages are not considered poor. According to the Commission, the number of people living below the poverty line has shrunken to 21.9 per cent in 2011-12 from 37.2 per cent in 2004-05 on the account of increase in per capita consumption.
The figures kicked off a major controversy with the opposition slamming the government. Addressing a gathering in Nagda town, Chouhan said the current power generation of the state will be enhanced to 17000 MW from current 14,000 MW, and the area under irrigation to 40 lakh hectares from current 25 lakh hectares.
He embarked on the 50-day Jan Ashirwad Yatra to reach out to people on Monday ahead of the Assembly elections due by year-end.
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