Poverty figures: Government under fire

The Planning Commission’s fresh estimates pegging the poverty line at Rs28.65 per capita daily consumption in cities and Rs22.42 in rural areas drew criticism from friends and foes of the government alike.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, whose party had bailed out the government on the trial of strength related to the motion of thanks for the President’s address, virtually led the attack in demanding withdrawal of this report and dismissal of the Planning Commission’s deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

“They do not have any idea of village or rural life. They live in AC rooms and prepare their report on the basis of reading some papers. You should know that there are people in Orissa who are surviving by eating only leaves. For Rs10, you cannot even get decent snacks in a roadside eatery,” Yadav said in the Lok Sabha. “The prime minister is responsible as he is the chairman of the Commission. He should remove Ahluwalia,” he told reporters outside Parliament.

It was not just the SP, but other allies of the government like Trinamool Congress, the DMK, and the RJD that attacked it on this issue.

Initiating the discussion, JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav called for winding up of the Commission. “Montek Singh has no knowledge. If you want to run the PC, do it the way Jawaharlal Nehru did…But I beg you all to get rid of him from India…,” Yadav said.

Leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj attacked the prime minister and said he is to be blamed for the report. “The real culprit is the government which accepts the report,” Swaraj said.