I was reading Rangarajan’s recommendation of the new poverty line (shall soon get a life). Even though Gujarat has been led by The Visionary since 2001, 27.4 % of Gujarat (nearly 31% in rural areas) cannot spend more than about Rs 35 (rural) to Rs 50 (urban) a day on essential goods. Gujarat’s urban poverty is not far from the national average or West Bengal’s, and its rural poverty is greater than the national average. I don’t think any other poverty line study has ever made Gujarat look so bad compared to the national average unless the administration is able to prove that all its poor are holograms from Bihar. In Kerala (where I was conceived, in a remarkable coincidence), 11% are poor – just over 7% in rural areas. Gulf money alone cannot ensure this. Gujarat has a higher per capita income and higher poverty rate, which clearly points to deeper economic inequality. I really am a fan of soulless capitalism and want it to do well because I think soul messes up everything, but it seems to me Amartya Sen has won the debate.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:40:48 +0000
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