Above poverty line?

Post the return of Montek Singh Ahluwalia from a 10 day overseas trip, some guidance from Shri Rahul Gandhiji and a 'little' feedback from the aam admi, the Planning Commission is looking forward to rectify the poverty line definition.

For those not in the know, the planning commission decided that in the Urban area a person needs only Rs.32 to survive and Rs.25 in the rural areas. Anyone earning less than this amt. Per day basis is in poverty.

I can wager Rs.32 or more on the fact that they decided upon this figure while feasting on the subsidized Parliament canteen snacks.

Now let's try to relate that. No wait I can't. Why?

You see, I am not in the BPL category. Why? Well, bcos - I am staying at a home paying rent, electricity; I am working; I studied; and take leisure in movies, trips etc.

The assumption- or reality is that the BPL do not have a shelter, so no rent & electricity, their children don't need to study, get married or get a life.

All they need to survive is eat some decent meal.

Okay, let's go by that assumption. I hope I can assume that they have a right to three square meals?

No, BPL, so two. Now I have Rs. 32. I want to survive, keeping in mind the assumptions above.

Now you may name some institution giving free meals, but can I reach that place for free? The cost of eating will be substituted by the cost of traveling. So let's stick to my own locality.

Then its done! I can have a samosa pav (Rs.8) for breakfast at a local un-hygenic stall. Some pakoras and cutting chai for lunch.(14) And maybe the off beat pani puri guy (10) or a repeat of samosa pav.

Water, u say? Oh please I am totally fine with microbe and what-not polluted tap water, available for free at these stalls.

So the ultimate Problem Manager of the country, Dr. Manmohan Singh, will meet Mr.Ahluwalia today. Hopefully, we should see a revision. After all, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, the one who solves all the UPA problems when she intervenes(only when things go publicly bad), guides Dr.Singh.

But my friend Blunty has a different view. "Another Mrs. Gandhi said Garibi Hatao, and three decades later they are still to arrive at a definition of it."

The present Mrs.Gandhi kicked out BJP and their India Shining campaign with two words, Aam Aadmi!

And Rahul Gandhi has been dining with Kalavati and her like across Rural India, and also traveled by our Mumbai ka local!

Probably that's why Rahul Gandhi recollected that and 'intervened' in this issue.

I propose - since Mr.Gandhi claims to 'understand the problems of aam admi' why not he sit on such panels, which are graced by members who get equal pay and priviliges as that of a cabinet member- home, ac car, subsidized food, emoluments etc. All that for estimating the cost of surviving a day in mumbai, which even a 10 year old kid living on streets can tell you accurately.

---Thank You---