Merging of categories primary reason why 70% population in BPL ambit
There are multiple factors for the spike in the Below the Poverty Line (BPL) figures in Haryana in two years.
The factors include merging of different categories of beneficiaries under the Public Distribution System (PDS), increase in the income limit for BPL categorisation, introduction of Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) and doing away with the scrutiny of self-declaration of income by people applying for the PPP.
The Congress has also alleged political reasons for the increase in the figures, claiming that the BJP government did so to get the benefit during the Assembly elections.
Government sources said by the end of 2022, the Central government had a figure of 20,20,909 people in the BPL category (CBPL) in Haryana. The state government categorised another 25,46,731 people in the category (SBPL).
Along with this, there were 9,79,336 people in the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), meant for the poorest of the poor. Another category of other priority households (OPH), which was above the BPL, but was eligible for subsidised ration from the PDS, too, comprises 69,05,603 people.
Thus, the total figure of CBPL, SBPL, AAY and OPH covered 1,24,52,579 in Haryana in December 2022.
The income limit for the CBPL and SBPL was Rs 1.20 lakh per annum, besides other criteria related to land, house, electricity bill and vehicle, etc., for the beneficiary family. The income limit for AAY was even lower while the OPH limit was Rs 1.20 lakh per annum, the sources said.
However, here came the twist, when the state government increased the income limit for BPL families, from Rs 1.20 lakh per annum to Rs 1.80 lakh per annum in January 2023. The raising of the income bar not only widened the ambit for the inclusion of families in the BPL but also the CBPL and OPH categories were merged in the SBPL.
The government also introduced the PPP — mandatory for residents to get things related to government schemes. Common Service Centres (CSC), being operated across the state, were authorised to submit the application forms for the issuance of the PPP (also known as family ID).
The sources said in the absence of verification, the self-declaration of income was made by the applicants with the target to get the maximum benefits of the schemes available for BPL families. By the end of the Assembly elections, the BPL data covered almost 70% of the population of Haryana, with an addition of about 75 lakh people in the BPL in two years.
The factors
*Increase in income limit for BPL categorisation
*Introduction of Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP)
*Doing away with scrutiny of self-declaration of income by people applying for PPP
*Merging of different categories of beneficiaries under Public Distribution System (PDS)
Who won't be considered
*Income tax return of Rs 1.80 lakh filed in last three years by any family member
*Annual electricity bill of Rs 9,000
*Any family member in government service
*Farmers with annual income above Rs 1.80 lakh
*Any family member a registered worker with Labour Welfare Board, with annual income above Rs 1.80 lakh
*Any family member owning over 100 sq yard house in urban area
*Any family member owning over 200 sq yard house in rural area
December 2022 data
CBPL: 20,20,909
SBP: 25,46,731
AAY: 9,79,336
OPH: 69,05,603
Total: 1,24,52,579
Nov 2024 data
SBPL: 1,98,90,964 (including 10,14,825 AAY), which is about 70% of the total population of Haryana
