Twenty five rupees a day is what adequate for a villager to spend on Food, education and health is what Indian Planning commission has come out with.  The commission has filed an affidavit in Supreme court on Tuesday  saying that a minimum daily income of Rs125 would be the sole criterion for any family (generally considered to have five members) seeking government approval for below poverty line (BPL) status, which makes it eligible for welfare schemes. Critics believe that the amount fixed by planning commission is extremely low and aimed at manipulation and reducing the number of poor people eligible for Government benefits.  Current poverty line estimate of the government is at 37% but the actuals are near to 77%, considering the Rs. 25 concept now the percentage would drop further and the government spending on the poor will drastically reduce.

"This extremely low estimated expenditure is aimed at artificially reducing the number of persons below the poverty line and thus reduce government expenditure on the poor," well-known social activist Aruna Roy told The Hindu newspaper. Adding to this World Bank report highlighted the fact that attempts by the Indian government to combat poverty were not working and are completely futile.

Aam aadmi would be severely impacted with the current proposal when vegetables prices are rising by the day, oil companies are increasing petrol and kerosene prices several times in an year and LPG has become a costly affair.

Supreme Court-appointed food commissioner  NC Saxena sharply reacted to the affidavit Terming it ?insensitive?, he said the cut-off amount would be more effective in deciding if families are starved rather than their poverty level. If the commission has its way, most of the poor in the country will have to forgo various welfare schemes in operation, he said. ?In fact, 80% of people live with less than Rs80 per day. The commission has completely ignored this? as a result we have a badly worded affidavit from the government.?

Saxena?s colleague Biraj Patnaik commenting on the affidavit stating that ?This shows the moral bankruptcy of the commission and the government,? he said. ?They just don?t care about the poor? this is a very insensitive stand.? Members of Parliament get subsidized food in canteens but ?when it comes to helping the poor the government wants few people to get even the minimum benefits?, Patnaik said. ?The government wants to use the 1991 census figures to determine the entitlements of the poor.?