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As soon as the House met, NDA Convenor Sharad Yadav and Prabodh Panda (CPI) were on their feet demanding suspension of the Question Hour for a discussion on latest poverty estimates of the Planning Commission.
Speaker Meira Kumar said she had disallowed the notices given by Yadav and Panda and called for the Question Hour.
BJP, JD(U) and Shiv Sena members then trooped into the Well raising slogans against the Planning Commission. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is also Chairman of the Planning Commission, was present in the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the discussion on the General Budget was yet to start and agitating members can raise the issue during the debate.
However, members were unrelenting and continued to raise slogans. Amid din, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon.
The Commission had released poverty data based on the 66th round of the National Sample Survey (2009-10) figures on household consumer expenditure survey. The national accounts, which provide data for national income, is prepared by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO).
As per the estimates, the poverty ratio has been pegged at 29.8 per cent in 2009-10, down from 37.2 per cent in 2004-05. These are based on the daily per capita consumption of Rs 28.65 in urban cities and Rs 22.42 in rural areas.
