Poverty Rate Drops In Odisha, Minister Tells Assembly

Bhubaneswar: The poverty rate in Odisha has come down appreciably, Planning and Convergence, Commerce and Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera informed the State Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to a question by BJP member Mohan Majhi, The minister said while 2,21,60,000 people (57.20%) in the state were identified as poor in 2004-05, the number had come down to 1,38,53,000 (32.59%) in 2011-12.

Referring to the per capita income, Behera said the state recorded an average rural per capita income of Rs 407 and urban per capita income of Rs 497 during 2004-05. During 2011-12, the average rural and urban per capita incomes had jumped to Rs 695 and Rs 861, respectively, he added.