Orissa targets poverty reduction by 15% duriung 11th plan

The Economic Survey 2008-09 was tabled in the Orissa Assembly on Wednesday. According to an esstimated by Planning Commission, 39.8 per cent of the popluation in the state are living blow povertly line (BPL).

Orissa is targeting reduction of poverty by 15 percent during the 11th plan as it remains the poorest among the country's major states, the survey says.

Orissa is followed by Bihar (32.5 percent) and Madhya Pradesh (32.4 percent). The report says there is reduction in poverty from 47.15 per cent in 1999-2000 to 39.8 per cent in 2004-05 in the state.

The state government had under taken several measures reduce the poverty. Per capita income in the state has rose to Rs 16,195 in 2007-08 from Rs 13,096 in 2006-07.