The correct answer is (b) 31%.
According to the Planning Commission of India, the poverty rate in India declined from 37.2% in 2004-05 to 31% in 2009-10. This means that about 270 million people were lifted out of poverty in this period. The decline in poverty was due to a number of factors, including economic growth, agricultural reforms, and social programs.
The Planning Commission’s data is based on the Tendulkar methodology, which is a consumption-based measure of poverty. The Tendulkar methodology defines the poverty line as the per capita consumption expenditure required to meet the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. The poverty line is updated every five years, based on the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL).
The Planning Commission’s data is widely accepted as the most reliable measure of poverty in India. However, some experts have criticized the Tendulkar methodology for being too narrow in its definition of poverty. They argue that the poverty line should also include other essential expenses, such as education and healthcare.
Despite these criticisms, the Planning Commission’s data provides a valuable snapshot of the state of poverty in India. The decline in poverty in recent years is a positive sign, but there is still much work to be done. The government needs to continue to invest in economic growth and social programs in order to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to escape poverty.
The other options are incorrect because they do not reflect the data released by the Planning Commission.