Poverty dip claim becomes butt of Twitter jokes

The Planning Commission's decision to scale down the poverty line to Rs. 28 in urban areas and Rs. 22 in rural, has got netizens protesting.

The latest poverty estimates by the plan panel show that 29.8% or 360 million Indians were poor in 2009-10 as compared to 37.2% or 400 million in 2004-05 — the difference being equal to the population of countries such as Spain, Argentina and Canada.

The Planning Commission believes, Indians in urban areas can survive with Rs. 28 a day and people in rural areas can survive with a mere Rs. 22.5 a day. These figures have received much flak from social activists, and those in the world of Twitter. Sample this tweet: @vaidehisachin Sshhh! The FM may get ideas to tax all income above Rs.28.00 per day.

Biraj Patnaik, the Supreme Court’s food commissioner, described the figures as unrealistic and an insult to the poor.

related story

Rs 28 slab won't restrict entitlement: Montek

• Poverty data faulty, have not fudged numbers: Panel

• NRI children row: Indian officials to leave for Norway

• Biggest dip in poverty, but 360 mn remain poor

“Can someone survive for a day on Rs. 28 in urban areas and Rs. 22.5 in rural areas?” he asked, adding that the data will create “needless controversy and confusion”.

Here are some tweets on the plan panel's decision.

Kids getting Rs. 20 as pocket money are now kids who come under the Poverty line of Rs. 28

— Oliver Alexander (@Oliv3ra) March 20, 2012

Had Breakfast in Rs.27. Saved Re 1 from Rs. 28 given by Planning Commission. Will save Re 1 as black money.

— Gaurav Mittal (@aurbolo) March 20, 2012

Rs 28 is poverty line, but a guy who pumped $32 million into his F-1 team wants financial help from the government. #IncredibleIndia

— Nigel Britto (@NigelBritto) March 20, 2012

1kg sugar Rs30, 1kg dal- lentils Rs. 75, 1kg rice Rs. 22.poor man line Rs. 28 #poverty

— Sant (@santoreeves) March 20, 2012