New
Delhi: Poverty in India declined by 4.3 pc to 21.8
pc in 2004-05 from 26.1 pc in 1999-2000, according to
a report of the National Sample Survey (NSS) released
by the Planning Commission today.
However
there were still 238.5 million living in less than desirable
conditions.
The
decline in poverty was comparatively higher in rural areas
where the percentage of people living below the poverty
line fell to 21.8 pc (2004-05) from 27.1 pc (1999-00).
In
urban areas, the percentage of people living below the
poverty line fell to 21.7 pc (2004-05) from 23.6 pc (1999-00),
according to the NSS estimates based on the Mixed Recall
Period (MRP)- consumption distribution data.
The
number of people living below the poverty line was estimated
at 238.5 million - 170.3 million in rural areas and 68.2
million in urban areas - out of the over one billion population.
The
level of poverty, based on the Uniform Recall Period (URP)-consumption
distribution data, declined to 27.5 pc in 2004-05 from
36 pc in 1993-94.
According to industry estimates, India currently has about
120 ethanol-producing distilleries, which can manufacture
1.2 billion litres of ethanol every year.
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