More than a third of families in Bihar surviving on ₹6,000 per month or less, Assembly told

In Bihar, 34.13% of families live in poverty, earning ₹6,000 or less/month. Over 50 lakh people have left the state for better opportunities. OBCs & EBCs make up 60% of pop., while upper castes 10%. Poverty rate among upper castes 25%, highest for Bhumihars (27.58%).

More than a third of families inhabiting Bihar were living in poverty, making do with a monthly income of ₹6,000 or less, according to a detailed report of the caste survey tabled in the State Assembly on Tuesday.

The report also acknowledged considerable poverty among the upper castes, though the percentage was, predictably, much higher among backward classes, Dalits and tribals.

As per the report, tabled by parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, the State was home to about 2.97 crore families, out of which more than 94 lakhs (34.13%) were poor.

Another important finding was that more than 50 lakh people from Bihar were living outside the State in search of livelihood or better education opportunities.

Those earning a living in other States numbered around 46 lakh while another 2.17 lakh have found greener pastures abroad.

Those pursuing studies in other States numbered about 5.52 lakh while about 27,000 were doing the same abroad.

Notably, preliminary findings of the caste survey were released on October 2.