India’s poverty line in 2011 was at 26 Rupees – that is around $0.53 (source: Guardian).
While the World Bank records a decrease in the percentage of people falling under this level (42 per cent in 2005), the measurement itself is under harsh criticism. It has been described as a “starvation line” rather than a poverty line and indeed many people live just above that line of starvation.
Even for people who have a job, the situation is less then ideal. They struggle hard to maintain themselves in unsanitary and insecure working environments. Continue reading