Poverty in the country has declined by five percent to 32 per cent in 2009-10. Disclosing this in New Delhi yesterday Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia said poverty has shown declining trend from 2004-05 as per the preliminary data available with the Commission.He said the Commission has considered Tendulkar Committee recommendations which had suggested that poverty should be estimated on the basis of consumption based on cost of living index instead of caloric intake. Besides, the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission has also said that India is targeting 9.5 per cent GDP growth for the 12th Five year plan period. He stated that looking at the conditions of international markets; India will achieve this growth without much difficulty. He said that the focus of the 12th plan will be more inclusive and sustainable growth. Mr. Ahluwalia said that government is keen to increase agricultural productivity to meet the demand. He said that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh wanted the Commission to aim at higher growth target for 10 per cent during the 12th Plan, as against 8.2 per cent estimated in the current plan.
News On AIR | April 21, 2011 11:38 AM
Poverty declines by 5% in 2009-10 says Planning Commission