Question : SCS STS AND OBCS AMONG BPL FAMILIES .

(a) whether more than 70 per cent of the total population of people living Below Poverty Line (BPL) belongs to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Minority communities;

(b) if so, the details thereof, category wise;

(c) whether a number of working groups in their reports have recommended the implementation of special programmes to uplift their economic conditions; and

(d) if so, the details of the specific steps/action taken or being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS & PLANNING (SHRI RAJEEV SHUKLA)

(a) & (b): The latest estimate of poverty for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) population is available for the year 2009-10. The percentage of persons living below the poverty line among the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are estimated from the respective distribution of persons as obtained from the large sample survey data of household consumer expenditure of NSS and the poverty line for all population. Based on this, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) account for 36% of the total population living Below Poverty Line (BPL) in 2009-10. The estimate of number of people living below poverty line belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Minority communities is not available.

(c) & (d): Working Groups constituted for Empowerment of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for the 12th Plan have recommended a number of measures for the up-liftment of these communities. Based on the recommendations of these Working Groups, strategies for their welfare have been detailed in Chapter 24 namely “Social Inclusion” of the 12th Plan document which is available on the official website of the Planning Commission i.e. www.planningcommission.nic.in.