NITI Aayog to hold regional consultations on poverty debate
NITI Aayog to hold regional consultations on poverty debate: NITI Aayog Consultations to be held over the next six months
My VIEW:
My VIEW:
January
18, 2016
18, 2016
Elusive
poverty line
poverty line
This refers to Sanjeeb
Mukherjee’s report “NITI Aayog to hold regional consultations on poverty
debate” (Business Standard, January 18). It is a welcome gesture from NITI
Aayog to come down to regional level in search of parameters that will help the
august planning body to understand the extent of poverty in India. A good diagnosis
expedites cure and we can expect faster results in poverty elimination
(different from poverty alleviation sought to be achieved so far) now. As
prescriptions from NITI Aayog for a long term solution for poverty will take
time, and politically the delay may be harmful, some first-aid kind of approach
is suggested to help out the real poor pending their being ‘identified as poor’
by NITI Aayog.
Mukherjee’s report “NITI Aayog to hold regional consultations on poverty
debate” (Business Standard, January 18). It is a welcome gesture from NITI
Aayog to come down to regional level in search of parameters that will help the
august planning body to understand the extent of poverty in India. A good diagnosis
expedites cure and we can expect faster results in poverty elimination
(different from poverty alleviation sought to be achieved so far) now. As
prescriptions from NITI Aayog for a long term solution for poverty will take
time, and politically the delay may be harmful, some first-aid kind of approach
is suggested to help out the real poor pending their being ‘identified as poor’
by NITI Aayog.
For the purpose of issue
of ration cards, states prescribe some norms for identifying BPL(Below Poverty
Line) category of families. Local self government(LSG) bodies, municipal
corporations to gram panchayats, can easily access the details of BPL families
in their respective areas. Centre and state governments could consider
coordinating efforts by LSGs to support these families in improving their
lifestyle. For them better lifestyle will mean better nutrition (plainly put,
two square meals), healthcare, educating children below the age of 18 and
shelter. Coming to specifics:
of ration cards, states prescribe some norms for identifying BPL(Below Poverty
Line) category of families. Local self government(LSG) bodies, municipal
corporations to gram panchayats, can easily access the details of BPL families
in their respective areas. Centre and state governments could consider
coordinating efforts by LSGs to support these families in improving their
lifestyle. For them better lifestyle will mean better nutrition (plainly put,
two square meals), healthcare, educating children below the age of 18 and
shelter. Coming to specifics:
i)
Encourage social organisations and religious
bodies providing ‘free food’ to give preference to BPL category of citizens.
Establish ‘BPL’ food outlets where subsidised food should be distributed to
eligible families (where foodgrains are distributed, rampant malpractices are
being reported).
Encourage social organisations and religious
bodies providing ‘free food’ to give preference to BPL category of citizens.
Establish ‘BPL’ food outlets where subsidised food should be distributed to
eligible families (where foodgrains are distributed, rampant malpractices are
being reported).
ii)
Ensure adequate facilities in primary
health centres for BPL families until the benefits of universal health
insurance scheme reaches them.
Ensure adequate facilities in primary
health centres for BPL families until the benefits of universal health
insurance scheme reaches them.
iii)
Improve affordable education facilities in
schools.
Improve affordable education facilities in
schools.
iv)
Provide common facilities for families
without houses.
Provide common facilities for families
without houses.
M
G Warrier, Mumbai
G Warrier, Mumbai
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