The number of millionaires in India [ Images ] has increased by 67.6 per cent in the last five years, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Replying to written questions, Minister of State for Planning M V Rajasekharan said, citing data available with the income tax department, that the number of IT assessees (individuals) with income of Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) and above was 91,877 in 2004-05 against 54,805 in 2000-01, which showed an increase of 67.6 per cent.

Referring to the World Bank's World Development Indicators 2006, the minister said the proportion of population living on less than $1 per day has declined to 34.7 per cent in 1999-2000 compared to 47 per cent in 1994.

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