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ShareMumbai: A recent survey conducted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and commissioned by the central government, reveals that the urban poor comprises close to 30% of the city's population.
Over 10 lakh city families -- roughly 40 lakh people -- earn less than Rs591.75 per person per month, and do without basic urban facilities like television sets, telephones, in-built toilets. These families have claimed to be below the poverty line (BPL) in the door-to-door survey carried out by the BMC in conjunction with authorities from the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA).
The objective of the survey was to identify BPL families, in a bid to pass on to them the benefits of the central government-proposed Suvarna Jayanti Urban Employment Policy.
Of the 16.07 lakh families surveyed in slum areas, tribal belts, gaothans, koliwadas and slum rehabilitation buildings, 10.78 lakh families claimed to be BPL.
For a family to be classified as BPL, its per-capita monthly income has to be less than Rs591.75. A senior civic official said the questionnaire listed several socio-economic parameters, including income profile, living and education standards, assets and literacy levels.
The findings suggest that nearly 30% of Mumbai's population comprises people in the BPL category. In fact, the initial survey reported over 12.02 lakh families. Corrections were made after several cases of repetition were revealed. DMA authorities told DNA they had noticed discrepancies in the filled-out 50,000-odd forms.
Yogesh Mahangade, assistant municipal commissioner, planning, said thecorrected lists for almost all municipal wards, except the S municipal ward,had been received. "We are incorporating the changes. The list will be sooncirculated."
Under the Suvarna Jayanti Urban Employment Policy, the central government has proposed to provide training, recruitment and employment opportunities for families in the BPL category.
Dilip Paygude, deputy director, DMA, said, "After the survey results are circulated among ward committee members, objections regarding the list will be invited. The final list will then be forwarded to the central government."
After a similar exercise carried out in 1997-98, 27,331 families were declared as BPL. Officials however clarified that less number of families were surveyed at the time. Besides, the monthly income criterion to qualify as BPL was lower, at Rs497 per person per family.
To be BPL
A family's monthly income must be less than Rs 591.75 per capita
Check list used
Nature and area of residence
Source of water supply
Whether in built toilets
Any portion of the house rented
Farm owned at native place
Any pets owned
Any vehicle owned
Amenities like fan, tv, refrigerator, telephone present in house
Possession of mobile phone, cable connection, music system
Whether children go to government or private schools
