Bihar, the eastern state of India, has been ranked as the poorest state in the country, according to a recent report released by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog. The report, titled the National Multidimensional Poverty Report, sheds light on the dire situation prevailing in Bihar, particularly in its poorest district, Kishanganj.
Bihar Tops List of Multidimensional Poverty in NITI Aayog Report
The NITI Aayog, a government organization responsible for advising the government on crucial areas requiring attention based on extensive research, has released its report on poverty. The findings reveal that Bihar has the highest proportion of its population living in multidimensional poverty, encompassing factors such as health, education, and overall lifestyle.
The report discloses that a staggering 51.91% of Bihar’s population is currently afflicted by multidimensional poverty, surpassing the figures of any other state in the country. This implies that more than half of Bihar’s residents face severe challenges in accessing basic necessities and essential services.
Disturbing Statistics Highlighting Bihar’s Poor State of Affairs
The NITI Aayog report uncovers distressing statistics that shed light on the extent of Bihar’s poverty crisis. The state ranks lowest in key parameters such as nutrition, healthcare for pregnant women, children’s access to education, and availability of cooking fuel.
In Bihar, a significant 51.88% of the population suffers from a lack of nutritious food, and a concerning 45.62% of pregnant women do not receive adequate healthcare benefits. Furthermore, the state lags behind in terms of school education, with 26.67% of individuals aged 10 and above unable to receive formal education beyond the age of six. Alarmingly, 9.8% of children in Bihar are unable to attend school.
The report also highlights the inadequate provision of basic amenities in Bihar. It reveals that 3.7% of households in the state still lack access to electricity, while 63.20% of households rely on unconventional fuel sources such as cow dung cakes, wood, coal, and grass for cooking.
Seemanchal Region Continues to Struggle with Poverty
The NITI Aayog report sheds light on the persistent poverty issues faced by the Seemanchal region within Bihar. Four districts of Seemanchal, namely Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, and Katihar, feature in the top 10 poorest districts in the state.
Kishanganj tops the list, with a staggering 64.75% of its population living in poverty. Araria closely follows in the second position, with 64.65% of its residents facing similar hardships. Purnia and Katihar also suffer from high poverty rates, with 63.29% and 62.38% of their populations affected, respectively.
Political Reactions to the Report
The release of the NITI Aayog report has sparked a political debate in Bihar. Opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, have raised questions regarding the state government’s handling of the poverty crisis. Conversely, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) have expressed skepticism.
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