One can have a meal for Rs 5 in Delhi, Rs 12 in Mumbai: Congress leaders.
Congress leaders Rasheed Masood and Raj Babbar said yesterday one common man can have full meal for Rs 5 in Delhi and Rs 12 in Mumbai respectively, igniting some sharp reactions from the Opposition BJP.
Babbar was briefing All India Congress Committee (AICC) and explaining poverty rate in the country has come down even though the prices of necessary items have increased. He also clarified how a poor can have two meals a day by spending just Rs 28 or Rs 32.
BJP and CPI-M have accused the ruling Congress party of ignoring the reality after the recently released figures of Planning Commission that shows poverty rate in India has been reduced.
Data released on Tuesday by the commission shows the poverty has been declined to 21.9 percent in the financial year 2011-12. In the FY2004-05 it was 37.2 percent.
Based on the Tendulkar methodology if the expenses of a person on goods and services cross Rs 27.20 in villages and Rs 33.33 in cities, he or she does not fall in the category of poverty.
Raj Babbar said not to assess poverty to tomato as it may be then difficult to measure. He added, even the prices of food products have increased, the expenditure of people has risen too.