Kutta billi line

[Haridasa Siva]

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The Central Govt and Planning Commission have their own definition of what makes a person poor. The former has concluded that Rs.50 a day in rural area and Rs.62 a day in urban area is what a person needs not to be poor.

While the figure looks ridiculous going by the standards of most of the members of this site, it is actually not that bad for a person living in Tamil Nadu. One can have 3 meals in Amma unavagam for about Rs.25 a day. One can spend about Rs.10 on clothing and Rs.10 on miscellaneous stuff. That would leave Rs.17 a day or Rs.500 a month, with which one can hire a dwelling. Medical needs can be met by the Govt. hospitals and schooling by Govt. schools with free midday meals. So, there you go. Rs.62 a day and still making a living.


Disclaimer: I have not written this as a parody. I do not support any political party or political leader either directly or indirectly.

 

[Vaagmi]

The Central Govt and Planning Commission have their own definition of what makes a person poor. The former has concluded that Rs.50 a day in rural area and Rs.62 a day in urban area is what a person needs not to be poor.

While the figure looks ridiculous going by the standards of most of the members of this site, it is actually not that bad for a person living in Tamil Nadu. One can have 3 meals in Amma unavagam for about Rs.25 a day. One can spend about Rs.10 on clothing and Rs.10 on miscellaneous stuff. That would leave Rs.17 a day or Rs.500 a month, with which one can hire a dwelling. Medical needs can be met by the Govt. hospitals and schooling by Govt. schools with free midday meals. So, there you go. Rs.62 a day and still making a living.


Disclaimer: I have not written this as a parody. I do not support any political party or political leader either directly or indirectly.

I did not get what a kuttaji or a billiji has got to do with this. Please explain. Thanks.

 

[Haridasa Siva]

Mr.N.C. Saxena, member of the National Advisory Council, who headed a Planning Commission panel on poverty that recommended automatic inclusion and exclusion criteria said:
“This is a step away from the narrow definition of poverty we have been using, where the line is really what I call a ‘kutta-billi’ line; only cats and dogs can survive on it”.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

Mr.N.C. Saxena, member of the National Advisory Council, who headed a Planning Commission panel on poverty that recommended automatic inclusion and exclusion criteria said:
“This is a step away from the narrow definition of poverty we have been using, where the line is really what I call a ‘kutta-billi’ line; only cats and dogs can survive on it”.

He has spoken the truth.

The Billi can live on mice
and
the kuththaa on the billi.

They can save the whole allowance for their owners!!!

Some small doubts!

1. How do people go to the Amma unavagam?
(cost of mode of transportation per month?)

2. How many people actually have access to the unavagam?

3. Where will that person live with that paltry sum???

Next We need dormitories which allow poor people to
spend the nights and use the bathroom for a small fees.

 

[Haridasa Siva]

I learn from the media that Amma Unavagam (AU) is operating in 200 wards in Chennai and is also functioning in all the Corporations of Tamil Nadu. So, it should be easily accessible and anyone can go there to have food. I have not been to India after the opening of AU. Idli at Re.1 and rice at Rs.3 or Rs.5, the prices are subsidized. I believe the quality is also good. Hygiene aspect also is taken care with the women working in AU having gloves in hands and covers on their head.
If there are two adults in a family, each earning Rs.62/day, they could spend about Rs.20/day on food at AU, Rs.10/day on clothing and Rs.10/day on other items. That would leave Rs.22/day or Rs.1300/month, with which they can rent a dwelling. So, one is not really “poor” even with Rs.62/day in a place like Chennai.

I want to reiterate again that I am not damning anyone nor am I trying to justify any political idea. I just put forth my view. Personally, with the lifestyle that I am used to, I cannot live on Rs.62/day in Chennai.