labels: economy - general
Parliamentary committee asks for quick completion of below poverty line data news
17 March 2007

New Delhi: According to a parliamentary standing committee, funds were being under utilised in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. These Hindi speaking states are referred to by their acronym "BIMARU", which also means sick in Hindi.

In its 92-page report presented to Parliament, the standing committee on rural development noted that under utilisation of funds was one of the main reasons for these states not faring well in the human development index when compared to other states.

The panel, headed by Kalyan Singh, also said it was concerned over the delay in finalisation of the 'below-poverty line' (BPL) lists by various states.

It recommended that the ministry should initiate all the desired measures to ensure that the BPL survey for the 11th 5-year plan did not meet the fate of the BPL census for the 10th 5-year plan.

The committee said that since 2007-08 would be the first year of 11th plan, the results of the BPL survey for the 11th plan should be made available immediately. The committee also expressed "strongest concern" over the decision of the government regarding cap on the total number of BPL families.

Referring to the progress of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in 200 districts, it questioned as to why the provision for distribution of foodgrains as part of wages was made when it was likely to create several problems in meeting the legal obligation to pay wages within definite time frame.

The panel also expressed concern over the "poor lending rate" by banks for works under Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY).


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Parliamentary committee asks for quick completion of below poverty line data