The Hindu : National : We’ll consider Bihar plea for revising BPL figures: Pawar

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We’ll consider Bihar plea for revising BPL figures: Pawar

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has assured a Bihar all-party delegation that he will discuss before the Union Cabinet the State’s demand for increasing the number of BPL (Below Poverty Line) beneficiaries.

Led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the team included representatives from Lalu Prasad’s Rashtriya Janata Dal and Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Jan Shakti Party.

“Serious problem”

After the 45-minute meeting here on Monday, Mr. Pawar said although the allocation of foodgrains to the State was based on the guidelines and poverty figures put out by the Planning Commission, Bihar faced a “serious problem” with a large number of BPL population.

“We need to look at this seriously. There have been floods in the State. I will take the Planning Commission into confidence and also discuss the issue in the Cabinet and see what can be done.”

Survey difference

Mr. Kumar, who was earlier Union Agriculture Minister, said that according to the Centre’s latest household survey, Bihar had a 65-lakh BPL population, whereas the State’s own survey showed that there were 1.21-crore poor people in need of targeted foodgrains supply.

“The allocation to the State as of now is 2.23 lakh tonnes a month. We have sought 4.24 lakh tonnes.”

“Many families left out”

The Chief Minister said the Centre’s survey left out several hundred eligible families.

He also sought 1.90 lakh tonnes of foodgrains for the APL (Above Poverty Line) category.

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