THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As many as 35 lakh families in the State are likely to figure in the below poverty line (BPL) list. The Centre is likely to approve the list. The process adopted by the Local Self-Government Department for identifying the families is understood to have been approved by the Centre. The system may be emulated in other States too.
Time has come to initiate proceedings for the latest survey based on the statistics of 2009, but the State government has apprised the Centre of the hectic work done by the civic bodies for preparing the list, validating the claims and making it foolproof by thorough sifting at various stages.
If the Centre decides to discard the list, the entire course of action involving elected members and teachers will become a futile exercise. Starting the survey afresh and completing it within the stipulated time was not feasible. Official sources told The Hindu that the Centre was convinced of the claim and may accept it.
Though the Planning Commission had initially fixed the limit at 10.26 lakh, the upper limit may be enhanced considering the unique features of the State.
Appreciation
The method used by the Local Self-Government Department for conducting the survey had come in for appreciation since specific guidelines were given to the civic bodies to identify the families and also validate the list which was prepared earlier by Kudumbasree workers.
The civic bodies as well as those who went for the survey were directed to exclude families of government and PSU employees, NRIs, service pensioners and others who have a regular income and instead give priority to include families headed by women, widows, terminally ill and such others in the list.
Hence, the families of eight lakh service pensioners, 30 lakh NRIs and 5 lakh government employees will not figure in the list. Those included in the list will be eligible for joining the Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, Aashraya, and the rice distributed at Rs.2 a kg.