New Delhi: Social activist and National Advisory Council member Aruna Roy has criticised the Planning Commission's view that its definition of poor - those spending less Rs.25 per day - should be used for the "public distribution services."

In an affidavit before the Supreme Court Tuesday, the Planning Commission argued that Rs.25 per day poverty line should be used for the "public distribution services", Roy said in a statement.

"This affidavit reflects the government's lack of empathy for the poor," she said.

Roy contended that this extremely low estimated expenditure is aimed at artificially reducing the number of persons "below poverty line" and reduce government expenditure on the poor.

She also criticised the recent hike in price of petrol, saying increase in fuel prices not only affects middle-class consumption but has a cascading effect on prices of all commodities. This will affect the poor.


 
 

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