Delhi sees decline in poverty rate

NEW DELHI: Poverty in the national capital came down to around 10 per cent of the total population in 2011 from over 14 per cent a year ago, Delhi's latest Economic Survey revealed today.

According to the survey which was tabled today by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, there were 23.3 lakh people living Below Poverty Line (BPL) in 2009-10 while the number decreased to 16.96 lakh in 2011-12.

Poverty had increased to 14.2 per cent in 2009-10 in comparison to 13 per cent in 2004-05, but it fell to 9.91 per cent of total population in 2011-12, a significant decrease.

"Per cent of population below the poverty line in Delhi was less than the national level in all period covered under the study. During 2011-12, 21.92 per cent of the population of India were under below poverty, while it was 9.91 per cent in Delhi," the survey stated.

According to it, people living in Delhi who earned less than Rs 1,145 in rural areas in 2011-12 and Rs 1,134 in urban areas were considered to be in Below Poverty Category.

As per the survey, out of every hundred rupees spent by households in urban Delhi, about Rs 40 was on food items and the remaining Rs 60 on non-food items.