Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 26: The former Union Minister and MLA, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta has sought an explanation from the Chief Minister that how the state of J&K got 1st position Award in reduction of the poverty especially when the Government is still getting subsidized rations and other assistance from the Centre for much higher percentage of families in comparison to other parts of the country.
Commenting upon the media reports that on basis of IBN-7 Diamond States Awards 2012, Prof. Gupta said that it was a strange situation. On one hand the State is aspiring for more and more assistance and rations under the poverty elevation programmes from the Centre, on the other an award is being received for having achieved what other States of the country have failed to do so. But the fact remains that the State is getting cheap rations and other assistance for large number of families living below the poverty line (BPL) in proportionate to its population, he added.
Prof Gupta pointed out the BPL families are getting increased despite huge spending, so much so about 8 lakh families are getting such rations who form about 40 percent of total population of the State.
Prof. Gupta recalled that in 2005, a similar survey was conducted by the institution of “India Today” and on August 15th function of the year the then Deputy Chief Minister of J&K. Muzzaffar Hussain Beig had received the first Award for eradication of the poverty in this State, but at that time several of the ruling leaders of today who were in Opposition in those days had raised many eyebrows but it is a pity that the anomalous situation still continue to prevail although the Planning Commission of India had been pointing out to the contradictions regarding these statics especially about the BPL position of the J&K.
It is to be seen that how the Union Planning Commission reacts to the latest development as the State is seeking higher allocations for BPL reduction schemes and on the other the State Government has received the 1st Award on this account.
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