The reportanalyses income tax returns to study the impact of circular migration on the rise of the middle class. The weighted mean income of Rs 4.4 lakh in the assessment year 2014 has increased to Rs 13 lakh. It will increase further to Rs 49.7 lakh by 2047 with the distribution of tax filers from lower-income to upper-income groups.
The report notes that among all the major states in India, six – Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra – have net positive migration. According to the analysis, migrant population contributed 0.5-2.5% of GSDP, with cumulative addition of around 7.8% of GSDP (roughly Rs 15 lakh crore). The negative migration states are UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal.
‘I-T data shows ascent of new middle class’
Nearly 25% of income tax filers are expected to leave the lowest income strata by FY47 compared to 13.6% leaving the same bracket between assessment years 12-23, an SBI report showed. “Weighted mean income of Rs 4.4 lakh in AY14 (basis ITR returns) has increased to Rs 13 lakh (aided by transition from lower income to upper income group as also buoyancy in the number of tax-filers, who were earlier not reporting income) and to Rs 49.7 lakhs in 2047 with the shifting of distribution of tax-filers from lower income group to upper income,” said the report.