Poverty - Some Questions

by Indra

Dec. 23, 2006

As per the figure coming from different sources, 28% of the Indians are below the poverty line. Let us look at the definitions.

Official estimates are based on a norm of 2,400 calories per capita per day for rural areas and 2,100 calories per capita per day for urban areas. These calories level, if translated into money for food, means, anyone earning more than Rs 600, as of 2005, is considered above poverty line.

The World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than US$1 (PPP) per day, and moderate poverty as less than $2 a day. And what it means in simple word is the dismal living condition. According to the World Food programme, nearly 50% of the world’s hungry live in India. Another report says 35% of world’s poor live in India. Is it not an abysmal situation, extremely worrying, and sufficient to make you as Indian look a pygmy?

What is this number? Is it the number of individuals or households? If it is the number of individuals, does it include all children as well as old men who can’t work? If it is households, does it consider the income of all the earning members correctly? Are the people hesitant to give the correct figure just as some do to escape the income tax?

I see all around and find in households below BPL, more than one member of the family contributes to the overall earning of the household. For example, I have an assistant to help my wife in household works. We pay him good money plus all the food and clothing and other expenses plus some more tips at times. His mother also works, while his father plies a rickshaw. I don’t know if these facts are recorded in data collected. If all the earnings coming in family are concerned the household must fall in ‘moderate poverty’ or may be a little better.

My only apprehension is that the system must not encourage people to keep themselves in BPL category. All the schemes must empower them to be proud citizen and encourage them to explore all means to improve their earnings.

Let us look at the aspect about going to sleep without food. Almost 70% of so-called BPL households live in rural India and most of them have dwelling of their own. This is a boon, but one will have to work hard to exploit every bit of it. The household can grow some vegetables such as different kinds of pumpkins that grow as bumper crop. It can grow on the roof of the house. They can also easily plant some fruit bearing trees such as jackfruit that can serve them as some nutritious dishes in their daily intake and may earn some extra earnings too. Additionally, the households can also have some animals such as buffalos, cows, goats and poultry that can produce the nutritious content of the food requirements. Why should the household depend so much on the doles from the government? Why should they not look into possibility of growing all that they can?

I know many will not agree to this. However, I am of strong opinion that unless the people are empowered to find their own way to earn their living they shall go on getting more and more lazy and dependent that can serve only the politicians.

Return to previous Page