Absurd idea

 C. Rangarajan, the former chairman of the prime minister’s economic advisory council, should be castigated for his idea that those spending below Rs 47 a day in cities and Rs 32 in rural areas should be considered poor (“Debate over poverty estimates”, July 8). The Indian Coffee House in Kerala — popular with the masses — charges Rs 45 for a masala dosa and a tea without sugar. According to Rangarajan, those who can afford the luxury of such a meal should not be accommodated in the BPL category. Rangarajan’s proposition brings to mind Sheila Dikshit’s observation that Rs 600 is enough to feed a family of five for a month in Delhi.

Poverty classifications are absurd. No one can survive on such paltry sums. The actual purchasing power of citizens and several other technical aspects should be taken into consideration to strengthen research projects meant to draw the poverty line. Usually, such committees comprise the rich and the powerful. Without representation from the deprived sections, none can find out who India’s poor are.

Yours faithfully,
K.A. Solaman,  Kerala

The Telegraph, Calcutta published on July 12, 2014