The very concept of poverty (“To fix BPL, nix CPL,” March 26) is paradoxical and controversial. Its measurement is much more complex and often driven by political manoeuvres. Since the beginning of the planning process, methodological wrangling has haunted the measurement of poverty. While we are stranded between 29 and 37 per cent, the World Bank has come out with a figure of 40 per cent based on the PPP (purchasing power parity) principle. The major concern, in my view, is how many households have been added to the BPL category. Also, we need to know whether people brought out of BPL are sustained, or slide back to the BPL category.
M. Yadagira Charyulu,Hanamkonda
The UPA government has magically reduced the number of poor in the country from 37.2 per cent in 2004-2005 to 29.8 per cent in 2009-10. This shows that India is a country of miracles. It is heading towards becoming a capitalist economy where a section of privileged people will control the economy and share the benefits of economic activities. Real economic growth will not materialise unless the fruits of the economic activities reach all.
Hari Mohan Sharma,Delhi
