In an editorial in the latest edition of the party organ People’s Democracy, the party referred to the ongoing proceedings on a PIL before the Supreme Court, regarding the Planning Commission’s claim that a daily expenditure of Rs. 20 on essential requirements for those living in urban areas and Rs.15 for those in the rural India was enough to keep them out of poverty.
“By implication, all others earning more are ruled out of the safety net proposed by the NFSA [National Food Security Act]. This poverty line of Rs. 20 per day for people living in the cities is worked out from the Commission’s opinion that anybody with Rs. 578 per month is not to be officially considered as poor. As per its report, this amount includes a monthly expenditure of Rs. 31 on rent and conveyance, Rs.18 on education, Rs. 25 on medicines and Rs. 36.50 on vegetables. A mockery! A fraud! In fact, both,” the editorial said. It said the ridiculousness of these figures could be gauged from the fact that the Commission itself prescribed a minimum intake of 2,400 calories daily to sustain oneself. This required an expenditure of at least Rs. 44 per day — not including any expenditure on shelter, clothing, education, and transportation. The Commission put the poverty ratio at 33 per cent of our population while the National Advisory Council suggested 46 per cent. Both estimations, however, are “woefully short”.