The recent NITI Aayog report claiming a substantial reduction in multidimensional poverty in India from 2013-14 to 2022-23 has triggered a heated verbal exchange among political leaders, primarily between Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh and BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
In a press statement, Jairam Ramesh dismissed the NITI Aayog report, stating, “The report of NITI Aayog is absolutely wrong. NITI Aayog is not an independent organization; it is the cheerleader of PM Modi. No one is going to believe the report of NITI Aayog.”
Chandrasekhar, countering the criticism, targeted the Congress party, asserting that the entire country is aware of the alleged mistreatment of the poor by the grand old party over the last 65 years. He claimed that around 25 crore people moved out of poverty only after Prime Minister Modi came to power, emphasizing the positive impact of the current government’s policies.
The political exchange escalated with Chandrasekhar addressing the Congress Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, saying, “We don’t have any problem if they want to call their Yatra ‘Nyay Yatra’… it doesn’t matter if Congress attend Ram temple inauguration or not; it is a matter of faith, and we all will go.”
Responding to this, Jairam Ramesh questioned Chandrasekhar’s authority to comment on the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, asking, “Who is Rajeev Chandrasekhar to say anything on the yatra.”
The NITI Aayog’s discussion paper, which sparked this controversy, highlighted a significant decline in multidimensional poverty in India. The report indicated that the percentage of multidimensional poverty decreased from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23. According to the paper, approximately 24.82 crore people moved out of this multidimensional poverty bracket during the specified period.
Multidimensional poverty, as measured by NITI Aayog, considers simultaneous deprivations across three equally weighted dimensions: health, education, and standard of living. These dimensions are represented by 12 sustainable development goals-aligned indicators, including nutrition, child and adolescent mortality, maternal health, years of schooling, school attendance, cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing, assets, and bank accounts.
The report underscores the progress made in improving various aspects of well-being for a significant portion of the population. However, it has become a focal point for political disagreements, reflecting the broader ideological and partisan divisions within Indian politics.
Critics argue that such reports should be scrutinized for their methodology, independence, and potential political influence. The skepticism is not limited to a specific party, as both major political entities in India have questioned the credibility of institutions depending on the political context.
The dispute over the NITI Aayog report highlights the ongoing polarization in Indian politics, where even data-driven assessments become a battleground for political narratives. While constructive debates and scrutiny are essential for a healthy democracy, the intensity of the verbal exchanges often overshadows the nuanced discussion needed to understand the complexities of poverty reduction and development policies.
As the political discourse continues, it is crucial for policymakers, experts, and the public to engage in a balanced and evidence-based analysis of such reports. Poverty reduction is a multifaceted challenge that requires comprehensive strategies, and any progress in this direction should be objectively assessed and celebrated, keeping the well-being of the people at the forefront of the discussion.
