PM LD POVERTY 2 LST

On the impact of economic reforms on poverty, the Prime
Minister said opening up of the Indian economy has had no
adverse impact on the poor and the percentage of population
below the poverty line continues to decline.

"There is no evidence that the new economic policies have
had an adverse effect on the poor. However, I would readily
agree that what has been achieved is not enough. Much more
needs to be done.." he said.
Singh said economists have recently argued that the
poverty line itself should be raised. "If this is done, the
percentage of population in poverty is obviously higher. But
this does not mean that the percentage below the poverty line
is not declining," he said.
According to the Planning Commission, 27.5 per cent of
over one billion Indians live below the poverty line based on
the last estimates in 2004-05. However, a Committee, headed by
former chairman of Prime Minster's Economic Advisory Council
Suresh Tendulkar, has proposed to revise the guidelines for
defining those below poverty line.
If the 2004-05 poverty estimate is revised as per the
proposed guidelines, those below the poverty line would
increase to 37.2 per cent from 27.5 per cent.
However, the Prime Minister said since the period of
rapid economic growth was largely after 2004-05, it would be
only through the next estimates of 2009-10 that the real
impact on poverty would be known. PTI AAM
MYR


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