As many as 30.17 million people, or 27.50% of the population of the country, are poor, according to the latest estimates of National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) for the year 2004-05, based on the uniform recall period (URP) method.

Minister of state for urban development Saugata Roy told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the Planning Commission releases estimates of poverty from time to time based on the national sample survey conducted by the NSSO.

He said the 61st round of NSSO survey data does not provide information on migration. So data on migrant poor in metropolitan cities is not available. The government has enacted the Unorganised Worker’s Social Security Act, 2008 to provide social security to the unorganised workers. The Act provides for constitution of National Social Security Board which shall recommend for formulation of social security schemes viz. life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age protection etc.