The All Meghalaya Minority Students’ Union (AMMSU) has sought a re-survey of below poverty line families to be carried out in West Garo Hills district with focus on the plain belt, after many families were left out of its ambit during the last survey in 2002.
In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner today, the NGO felt that with the areas in the plain belt being prone to floods, people’s lives were being affected and their only reliable income source was through daily wages.
The NGO added that many families were left out by the previous survey and ever since there have been changes in the status of people.
“Their inclusion would be of immense help to many as it will provide them with more options for a better life. The present criteria are based on the survey done in 2002 and are not inclusive at this time. A new survey is a must to include those that have been left out,” said AMMSU president, Nur Islam.
To be classified as BPL, the government of India has set up parameters of which at least four of the conditions need to be fulfilled. The criteria set forth are no land or less than five per cent, no house or dilapidated house, no sanitary latrine, family with illiterate members, no regular employed person in the family, no access to safe drinking water, woman headed household or the presence of widowed or divorced and mentally retarded or disabled members in family.
For one to be declared BPL at least four of the eight categories need to be fulfilled.
