Full Description
There has been a considerable amount of debate on how to measure poverty. To review and take a fresh look at the methodology for measurements of poverty, the Government of India appointed an Expert Group (Rangarajan Committee) in June 2012. This book contains the Report of the Expert Group and four other articles which were written subsequently to explain some of the issues that were raised after the publication of the Report.
One should choose that poverty line which reflects a carefully calculated minimum level of food and non food requirements. Rangarajan Committee computed a fresh basket in the light of the most recently available minimum requirements of food. It did not simply update an earlier basket using price indices. Also for the first time, minimum non-food requirements for certain categories were included in determining the basket. The four papers of the book discusses various issues on poverty measurement including comparison of Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) data, estimates of poverty using different cut-off points and the impact of public expenditure on health and education on poverty.
Contents
Acknowledgement 7
Introduction 9
1. Counting the Poor: Measurement and Other Issues 15
Introduction
Approaches of the Earlier Committees
Suggested Methodology by Expert Group (Rangarajan)
Clarifications on the Issues Raised by Others
What is New in the Approach for Poverty Line?
Use of Calories
Multi-dimensional Poverty
Higher Urban Poverty in Many States
NAS-NSS Consumption Differences
Poverty Measures in Other Countries
Public Expenditure and Poverty
Poverty Ratio for Eligibility Under Programmes
Conclusion
2. NSS and SECC: Measurement of Poverty and Deprivation 39
Measurement of Poverty Based on NSS Estimates
SECC, Deprivation and Identification of the Poor
3. Public Expenditure on Social Services and Impact on Poverty 43
4. Poverty Estimation: Headcount and Depth 47
Differing Estimates
Depth of Poverty
Comparison among States
Where Do We Stand?
5. Report of the Expert Group to Review the Methodology for Measurement of Poverty 51
Executive Summary
The Background
Evolution of Measurement of Poverty in India
Issues in Poverty Estimation
The Suggested Methodology for Measurement of Poverty
Bibliography
