The Flawed Maths Of Double Engine Yogi Modi Government "Free Ration Gift"

by GoNews Desk Dec 03, 2021 • 07:46 PM Views 1312

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is claiming that the state government is giving free ration to 15 crore people. You will find several such posters on its website and social media platforms. These posters also feature the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” logo, saying: “The Gift Of Free Rations To 15 Crore People By The Double Engine Government”

Let's Talk About The Data 

It is significant that the Uttar Pradesh government has not clarified as to what is the census on the basis of which it is giving “free ration” to 15 crore poor people. Which leads us to two possibilities:  

If we consider the updated population of the state of 23.78 crore, then according to NITI Aayog data, there are about 9 crore multidimensionally poor people in UP. Second, if we consider the Uttar Pradesh population on the basis of the 2011 census, then it comes to 19.78 crore, that means that 7.55 crore people are living in multidimensional poverty.

Therefore, it means that the Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh is giving out free ration to 15 crore of 19.78 crore people, that is, 75.78% of the population is being considered poor. Whereas, in terms of the updated population figure of 23.78 crore, the Yogi government s giving out ration to 63% of the population which is being considered “poor”. These figures make it clear that the Central and state government is supposedly giving out rations to 15 crore people whereas in reality there are only 7.5 crore- 9 crore intended recipients.