Consider the following statements regarding poverty in India:

1. While determining poverty line in India, a minimum level of food requirement, clothing, footwear, fuel and light, educational and medical requirements, etc. are determined for subsistence.

2. The accepted average calorie requirement in India is 2400 calories per person per day in rural areas and 2100 calories per person per day in urban areas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is Both 1 and 2.

Key Points

• While determining the poverty line in India, the minimum level of requirement of food, clothing, shoes, fuel and light, educational and medical requirements, etc. for subsistence is determined.
  • Based on these calculations, for the year 2000, the poverty line for a person was fixed at Rs. 328 per month for the rural areas and Rs. 454 for the urban areas.
  • It means a person living in rural areas and earning less than Rs. 328 per month will be below the poverty line. In the same way, a person living in urban areas and earning less than Rs. 454 per month will be below the poverty line.
• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommends 2400 kcal per person per day for rural areas and 2100 kcal for urban areas.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) uses a common minimum required calorie norm of 1800 kcal per person per day for both rural and urban populations.
• Despite low-calorie requirements, high prices for many essential products in urban centers have led to higher intakes for urban areas.