Deprivation parameters to identify beneficiaries of schemes

NEW DELHI: The government has decided to use "deprivation parameters" parameters to identify the beneficiaries in several of its welfare schemes for the people in the rural areas.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Housing and Poverty Alleviation Rao Inderjit Singh said that an expert group led by Sumit Bose had been constituted on Socio Economic Caste Census (Rural) by the Rural Development ministry.

He said the committee has recommended 7-point deprivation parameters to identify the potential beneficiaries.

The minister said that there were conditions like persons owning a car or AC or having a family member in a government job, will not be eligible for the benefits which are meant for the most deprived sections.

Singh said the criteria based on poverty line can at times lack clarity.

The minister also said the government has not constituted any committee for the identification of "marginalised poor".

In a reply tabled in response to another question, Union Minister Ram Kirpal Yadav said that in 2016-17, 25 lakh households have been provided 100 days of employment, while over 8.79 lakh households in drought affected locations have been provided employment for over 100 days.