The initial findings suggest that absolute poverty in the country may have come down by five percentage points during the 11th Plan.
Satisfied with the figures, deputy chairman of Plan panel Montek Singh Ahluwalia said the government’s policy for inclusive growth is paying off. He emphasized that actual reduction in poverty levels may be higher as the sample on which this poverty level was based was taken in 2009 — the period when the economy was under tremendous pressure due to global slowdown and drought in many parts of the country.
“These are preliminary data. Abhijit Sen has worked on them. He has reported that the 2009-10 data show a decline in poverty from 37% in 2004 to 32% in 2009. I agree with him,’’ Ahluwalia said. He admitted though there is greater possibility in reduction of poverty, the prevailing circumstances have jacked up the figure.
The Plan panel is expected to lower growth target to 9%-9.5% for the 12th Five-Year Plan in its approach paper, to be finalized on Thursday.