Below Poverty Line (India)

Below Poverty Line is an economic benchmark and poverty threshold used by the government of India to indicate economic disadvantage and to identify individuals and households in need of government assistance and aid. It is determined using various parameters which vary from state to state and within states. The present criteria are based on a survey conducted in 2002. Going into a survey due for a decade, India's central government is undecided on criteria to identify families below poverty line

For the alleviation of the poor the Govt. of India has introduced the BPL (Below Poverty Line) scheme under which only the really poor belonging to vulnerable section of the society, earning their livelihood on daily basis like porters, collies, black smith, rickshaw pullers and hand –card pullers, fruit and flower sellers on the payment etc. are identified and issued BPL (Below Poverty Line) Ration Card by the Food & Supplies Department of state government against which 35 Kgs. of wheat or Rice per card per month is issued @Rs. 4.50 and Rs.6.02 per Kg respectively.

For obtaining a Below Poverty Line yellow coloured ration card ,the applicant is required to submit application form duly attested by the Municipal Councillor or Village Sarpanch, two passport size group family photographs and an affidavit duly specified.