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State opposes BPL survey norms

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Dec. 19. The State Government has strongly opposed the Centre's decision to introduce new norms for locating families below the poverty line (BPL).

Addressing a press conference here, the Rural Development Minister, C. F. Thomas, said that the Centre's new directive to conduct fresh BPL survey on the basis of socio-economic factors would be detrimental to the State.

The Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, had take up this issue with the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, K. C. Pant, who in turn assured him that the matter would be discussed with State officials before a decision was taken.

Mr. Thomas said that similar BPL surveys had been conducted in 1992 and 1997 and the criteria for identification of BPL families were based on family income and expenditure. In the fresh survey announced this time, socio-economic factors such as land holding, possession of gadgets and other amenities would be the criteria for identification. The State Government was of the view that this would be detrimental to the State's interests.

Giving a brief overview of the functioning of his department in the last one year on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of community development blocks, Mr. Thomas said that 53,754 persons, including self-help groups and individuals were able to find employment under the Golden Jubilee Gram Swaras Ghar Yojana.

The Minister said that a six-day programme had been planned to mark the conclusion of the Golden Jubilee celebrations from December 26 to 31.

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