Cautious Cong says Planning Comm affidavit 'not the last word'

Under attack from Opposition and sections of civil society, Congress today reacted cautiously to Planning Commission's affidavit that those earning upto Rs 32 per day were above poverty line, saying this was "not the last word".

Under attack from Opposition and sections of civil society, Congress today reacted cautiously to Planning Commission's affidavit that those earning upto Rs 32 per day were above poverty line, saying this was "not the last word".

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It also expressed readiness to consider all sensitive inputs over the issue while making a plea not to dismiss decisions on such issues out of hand.

"This is certainly not the last word. All positive and sensitive inputs can be looked into...every constructive positive element of civil society is entitled to give a positive input. There is no question of taking sensitive inputs lightly.

"There can be bonafide differences of opinion but they should put their views before the Planning Commission," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here. He at the same stressed that the decisions like these are taken on the basis of empirical and statistical data and hence it must be left to the judgement of experts "But let us not be dismissive...I don't think they deserve to be dismissed lightly...," he said, adding that such decisions are taken by experts after consideration for years.

The BJP has attacked the government for stating in an affidavit in the Supreme Court that those earning upto Rs 32 per day were above the poverty line, saying it was an "insult and betrayal" of the poor. Sonia Gandhi led National Advisory Council member Aruna Roy has also lashed out at the move saying the affidavit reflects the government's deep lack of empathy for the poor and a perspective completely divorced from reality.