Congress takes on Modi over BPL figure

Congress on Monday slammed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi over the controversial BPL figures in the state.

Congress General Secretary Ajay Maken hit out at Modi who had earlier criticised the Centre’s Rs 32 outline by calling it ‘mockery of poor’. Congress has also demanded an apology from Modi.

“Narendra Modi is doing contradictory actions. His own government now issues a figure of Rs 10.80 for poor in India. Modi government had criticised Rs 32 figure that we gave few months back,” Maken said.

“Once Food Security Act comes into place then state governments (Gujarat government) cannot bring out a separate circular for identifying BPL people,” Maken added.

“Narendra Modi and his government should apologise for the poverty figures released by Gujarat,” he said.

Gujarat government in its defense said that they have not issued any new guideline but 2004 Centre guidelines for identifying the BPL families. There are  currently 21 lakh BPL families in Gujarat.

“Centre’s BPL criteria are old and have not been modified. We are taking care of poor not identified in the BPL category and giving ration to additional 11 lakh families,” the Modi government said.

Last year the Planning Commission had said that any person who earns daily Rs 32 in the cities and Rs 26 in the villages can comply with the expenditure of ‘food, health and education’ and not covered under Below Poverty Lines schemes.

• About the Author

About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!