The development is being seen as a blow to the opposition Congress which was planning to forge a grand alliance in Chhattisgrah to unseat the ruling BJP.
Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Alhluwalia has said that a person who can spend Rs 32 a day in urban India -- and Rs 26 a day in rural India -- is not poor and that he is above the poverty line.
An accident insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh is also given to all individuals who open a bank account under the Jan-Dhan Yojana.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday gently told the Supreme Court, which recently directed the government to distribute foodgrains free to the poor, not to get into the "realm of policy formulation".
An estimated 37 per cent of the population lives below poverty line; how can free food be given to such a large number of people, the prime minister said.
A shortfall in LPG supply from Aramco has led to huge booking backlog across states. To meet the backlog, India has asked Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for two additional cargos of LPG, but that may take another 10 days to reach.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati may have spent thousands of crores from the state government's exchequer to fund the massive memorials, statues and parks paying tribute to her mentor Kashiram and herself, but she has no plans to offer any monetary compensation to the families of those killed in Thursday's stampede at an ashram in Pratapgarh.Most victims of the stampede, which claimed 63 lives, belonged to families living below the poverty line.
Even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offered monetary compensation of 2 lakh ruppes to each to the families of those who died in Thursday's stampede in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has no plans to offer any relief to them.
Expanding its commitment to provide subsidised foodgrain to the poor, the Manmohan Singh government is looking at a host of social sector initiatives along with its soon-to-be-unveiled Food Security Bill.
Angus Deaton's Nobel Prize should spark off more research on the measurement and usefulness of poverty percentages.
Nearly 25 million jobs could be lost worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic, but an internationally coordinated policy response can help lower the impact on global unemployment, according to a UN agency. In its preliminary assessment report titled 'COVID-19 and world of work: Impacts and responses', the International Labour Organization (ILO) calls for urgent, large-scale and coordinated measures across three pillars -- protecting workers in the workplace, stimulating the economy and employment, and supporting jobs and incomes.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday passed a bill providing internal reservation of 10.5 per cent for Vanniyars, a most backward community in government jobs and in admission to educational institutions.
In what could lead to an overhaul of policy, the Union government is looking at a new sugar subsidy mechanism as part of its decontrol proposal. It plans to rope in state governments for the purchase and distribution of sugar to below-poverty-line consumers at market prices.
The government has earmarked Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) to establish 'a comprehensive system of unique identity for the resident population of the country'. The project will focus on border areas with illegal immigration in mind. It will also facilitate speedy and efficient transactions between individuals and service providers.
National estimates of the percentage of the population falling below the poverty line are based on surveys of sub-groups, with the results weighted by the number of people in each group.
India will mark its 63rd birthday on August 15 this year. Today, India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and is on its way to becoming a considerable force on the global stage.
The government may table the two key Bills on women's reservation and food security soon in Parliament to take the wind out of the Opposition sails.The Women's Reservation Bill, aimed at providing one-third reservation to women candidates in state Assemblies and Parliament, is bound to split the Opposition. The Food Security Bill, which will provide 25 kg of rice or wheat at Rs 3 per month to families below the poverty line, will be showcased as the government's effort.
In a drastically new approach to identifying Below the Poverty Line families, the Manmohan Singh government may resort to a three-pronged approach.
The prime minister said the country's economy was likely to grow by 7 per cent or a little more in the current financial year.
Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said whenever BJP came to power, prices of essential commodities saw a fall.
The government's predicament is a result of its own doing: That of not ensuring adequate buy-in by the stakeholders before passage of the laws, notes Vivek Gumaste.
Various estimates of the extra cost to the government for an improved food security Bill are doing the rounds, but many agree the Union government's proposed food subsidy bill would double.
'The poor must be allowed to self select themselves. A poor family must be given a ration card on demand and the government must accept responsibility for providing subsidised food grain.'
'There is good indication that the economy is bouncing back, but the problem is, we should look at the eight quarters preceding March 2020.' 'The growth had fallen below 3.1% before March 2020.' 'So, the governments must realise that even if you transform the best of green shoots into banyan trees, you see only 3.1% growth.'
The proposal aimed to provide pension for life to widows and persons with severe and multiple disabilities belonging to families below the poverty line, irrespective of age. Expenditure Secretary Sushma Nath argued that if there was no age cap, it would become "open ended" and "send the wrong message" to society. The Cabinet conceded Nath had a point and adopted the revised plan, which includes an age limit.
The survey took the poverty line at Rs 356 per person per month in rural areas and at Rs 538 in urban areas for 2004-05.
'The situation is so bad that they are now sleeping on bridges or footpaths.' 'Therefore, they want to go and die before their parents or wife in case they get infected with COVID-19.' 'Workers don't want to die a dog's death in cities.'
Employment generation in the midst of a global meltdown will be the central idea of the Interim Budget that the United Progressive Alliance will present on February 16, just ahead of the general elections.
This is an increase of $1.1 billion over the previous year, the World Bank said on Thursday, adding that it invested $6.6 billion in 89 projects to promote economic growth, fight poverty and assist private businesses. This includes nearly $2 billion in infrastructure financing, a critical sector to provide the foundation for rapid recovery from the crisis and job creation.
The party also promised to would provide salt at 25 paise per kg to BPL families, state unit president Raghuvar Das said while releasing the manifesto in the presence of Chhatisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh. Construction of three lakh houses to be allotted to those not having accommodation and ration cards to every family within three months was also among the promises held out.
The Centre had earlier in July 2008 launched the scheme to supply subsidised oil to the poor, which was valid till March 31, 2009. The government could not take a view on the scheme because of the general elections. With the United Progressive Alliance coming to power with an increased majority, sources said the scheme may be re-introduced in this year's Budget to benefit poor households. Moreover, they added, subsidy outflow is not likely to be very high.
The Centre has begun consulting states on implementing its Rs 3 per kg rice/wheat scheme for the poor, but discussions got stuck on what would be the basis for defining the beneficiaries.
"There are several ways in which poverty can be measured . . . the National Sample Survey is the basis for calculating poverty on headcount basis. However, when minister of state for planning V Narayansamy said 'poverty line is being assessed', there was an uproar in the House and Joshi was joined by CPI-M- MP Brinda Karat, who wanted a satisfactory reply from the minister.
Penning a Facebook post on the second anniversary of GST rollout, Jaitley said as many as 20 states are already showing more than a 14 per cent increase in their revenues and do not require the Centre to compensate them for revenue loss arising out of GST implementation.
The government is actively considering bringing 355 life saving drugs under price control and take a few additional measures to help the poor and below poverty line (BPL) families, once the Union Cabinet approves National Pharmaceutical Policy.
'Pay Rs. 30 and insure free treatment up to Rs. 30,000.' That is the latest slogan of the Manmohan Singh government, which has provided such a unique insurance cover to those below the poverty line (BPL) for the first time in the history of the country.
The government on Monday said it will soon introduce a Bill to enact a Food Security law that will provide 25 kg of rice and/or wheat at Rs 3 to each family below the poverty line - a key poll promise of the Congress that heads the ruling coalition.
Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu launched his campaign for the next elections with a slew of populist promises offering goodies to different sections. Addressing a huge public meeting, marking the conclusion of his 117-day-long Mee Kosam Yatra (For You Yatra) at Anantapur on Friday evening, Naidu promised 13-hour-free electricity supply to farmers, against the supply of seven hours now.
It proposed that smart cards be issued to BPL families for supply of subsidised kerosene in urban and semi-urban areas to cut diversion of the fuel to unintended users. The panel also suggested a cash transfer system, whereby funds can be transferred to BPL families through a banking or postal system for purchasing of kerosene, instead of supplying the fuel much below the market price.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances