The BPL census conducted in 1999-2000 puts Uttar Pradesh’s BPL population at an unbelievable 31.15 per cent, almost four per cent higher than the national average of 26.10. But how true are these figures and how foolproof is the identification process of those who are the economically-weakest in society.
These are some of the important points raised by the Uttar Pradesh Voluntary Action Network (Upavan) which has done a critical review of the selection process of the families living below poverty line in Uttar Pradesh.
The report was released at the Uttar Pradesh Administration and Management Institute (formerly IMDUP) by Upvan chairperson Dr Neelam Singh.
The report also points out the fact that the deadline for the next BPL census is already over and yet the state has not yet been able to wrap up its work.
Supposed to be completed by April 20, 2004, the census deadline was extended to March 15, 2006 and then to October 15. Yet the methods being followed by the state to screen the BPL families are still not without flaws and redtape.
JN Singh, the advisor for the report, said: “The census cannot be complete unless there is a foolproof mechanism and loads of awareness. In many villages, confusion still exists. The gram pradhans have written letters to the authorities that they were not aware of the criteria on which to prepare the BPL list.”
“There has to be more knowledge about the entire process otherwise the really needed ones in the society will not benefit,” he added.
There are also some interesting suggestions made in the report like the one where it is proposed that after the census is complete, it should be sent to the gram pradhan or the district panchayati raj officers for their consideration.
“The DPROs do not visit many villages and blocks and hence the task of carrying out the BPL census does not really fall on them. It is the officials from departments like Social Welfare and others who are given the duty. That is also not enough. So there is a slim chance of the figures being correct,” pointed our Singh. According to Anurag of Upvan, delay in BPL census affects the food and civil supply chain to a large extent.
“Since there is no proper report determining their number, the government cannot decide on the number of beneficiaries for the schemes for this sector. This also includes the scheme launched by chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav who wants to distribute sarees to women who fall in the BPL category,” said the Upvan chairperson.
“The Centre may keep on talking about how BPL families should be pulled above the line,but unless the numbers are determined in a proper and flawless manner, no scheme can work out,” Singh added.
What the report says
The process of screening for BPL families is still confusing to the village heads and district panchayati raj officers
There are not enough people to carry out the survery at the ground level, leading to inaccurate figures and red tape
With the government yet to complete the latest BPL census, the needy do not benefit from the various BPL schemes.