Explain the concept of relative poverty with the help of the population below poverty line in some states of India.

In India, five states namely - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Orissa, account for about 70% of India's poor. However, because of the initiation of developmental activities in almost all the states of India, only two states namely Bihar and Orissa were left behind till 1999-2000. Though they have tried to reduce the number of persons living below poverty line, but their success in marginal e.g. Gujarat has been able to reduce the number of persons living below the poverty line from 48% to 15% doing 1973-2000. Whereas West Bengal has achieved this rate by 2/3 i.e. from 63% to 27% during 1973-2000.