BPL Population in N-E states

Shillong, Mar 9 (UNI) At least 94.55 lakh persons, which include 92.17 lakh persons from rural areas, live Below the Poverty Line (BPL) in Asom, according to Planning Commission's poverty estimate of 1999-2000.

The estimate of poverty in the country, including Asom and other North Eastern states, was conducted by the Planning Commission, on the basis of National Sample Survey Organisation's (NSSO) survey on Consumer Expenditure.

The poverty ratio of Asom has been used for determining the poverty level in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.

The reason for higher incidence of poverty in Asom could be lack of productive employment, migrant labour and infrastructure.

UNI