According to the latest sample survey data on consumer expenditure by National Sample Survey Organisation the poverty ratio on a 30-day recall basis is estimated at 27.09 in rural areas, 23.62 in urban and 26.10 for the country as a whole. Also, as many as 12 states are still above the national average of poverty ratio. These include Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, and West Bengal besides Orissa.