The Communist Party of India (Marxist) State unit on Tuesday slammed the Planning Commission's criteria of per-day income of Rs 32 in urban areas and Rs 28 in rural areas to identify the poor.
The party said the sole purpose of fixing such criteria is to show that the number of the people below the poverty line (BPl) has decreased in the country.
Briefing mediaperosns here, CPI(M) State secretary Janardan Pati said the prices of essential commodities are increasing daily whereas the wages of the unorganised sector workers, who constitute 96 per cent of the total workforce, continue to remain very low and they do not get any dearness allowance commensurate with the price rise.
As a result, everyday the income of the workers is reduced in terms of value of rupee.“In such a situation, the criteria fixed by the Planning Commission for identification of the poor have to be opposed by all,” said Pati. He too blasted the Congress and the BJP for not supporting the ‘10-point policy alternative’ framed by left parties.
“The country requires an alternative policy-based platform which will first put the interest of the people, defend secular principles, fight against the social exploitation of Dalits, tribals and women, defend minority rights without which India can never be vibrant,” said Pati.
Pati also criticised Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP national campaign committee chairman Narendra Modi for the high rate of malnutrition and fake encounters in his State.