10.35% population below poverty line in J&K: Report

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 13

Nearly 10.35 per cent of the population falls under the below poverty line (BPL) category in Jammu and Kashmir, with the rural areas holding more poor than the urban areas.

The figures have been revealed by the economic survey report, based on the state-specific poverty lines and estimates of poverty for rural and urban areas of the states for 2011-12.

“The percentage of population living below poverty line in rural and urban area of J&K has been estimated at 11.54% and 7.20%, respectively, while as the total percentage of the population living below poverty line is 10.35%,” says the economic survey report.

The report further says that around 73 per cent of population lives in rural areas and the state has initiated a number of poverty-alleviation schemes to mitigate rural and urban poverty.

“As per the consumer expenditure report of the 68th Round of the National Sample Survey (2011-12), the average monthly per capita expenditure based on the mixed modified reference period in rural areas of J&K stood at Rs 1,601.51 which is lower than that of its neighbouring states,” the report has revealed.

As per the Socio Economic and Caste Census-2011 conducted by the Ministry of Rural Development, the number of households in the state having ‘no houses’ is 2,518 with 2,318 households in rural areas and 263 households in urban areas.

J&K whose population and geographical area are almost double that of Himachal Pradesh is trailing behind it by Rs 54,119 in respect of the per capita income (2015-16 NSDP). The main reason of the backwardness of J&K is that it is a “conflict area”.

To focus on targeted spending for bringing out certain sections of the population from the clutches of poverty, ignorance and starvation, the government shall conduct a detailed study of the per capita spending under various sectors. This will enable the government to mainstream such people and better their living conditions. A proper nomenclature could be arrived at once the study is complete.