Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
The calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor because of the following reasons:
a) This mechanism does not differentiate a very poor from other poor. It categorises them into one category that is, 'poor'. Consequently, it indicates a whole class of poor and not, especially, those poor who are the most needy.
b) This mechanism uses inappropriate proxies for income like Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE), etc. These items do not act as suitable and appropriate proxies for income to measure calorie requirements.
c) This mechanism does not consider various important factors that are associated with poverty. These factors are health care, clean drinking water, proper sanitation and basic education. Mere estimation of calorie intake does not reflect the true economic condition of an individual.
d) Another shortcoming of calorie-based norm is that it fails to account for social factors that exaggerate and worsen poverty like ill health, lack of access to resources, lack of civil and political freedom, etc. Therefore, because of these shortcomings in the calorie-based norm, it cannot be used to identify the poor.
Is there any relationship between unemployment and poverty? Explain.
What programmes has the government adopted to help the elderly people and poor and destitute women?
Illustrate the difference between rural and urban poverty. Is it correct to say that poverty has shifted from rural to urban areas? Use the trends in poverty ratio to support your answer.
The three dimensional attack on poverty adopted by the govern-ment has not succeded in poverty alleviation in India. Comment.
Why are employment generation programmes important in poverty alleviation in India?
Suppose you are a resident of a village, suggest a few measures to tackle the problem of poverty.
How can creation of income earning assets address the problem of poverty?
What is meant by ‘Food for Work’ programme?
Suppose you are from a poor family and you wish to get help from the government to set up a petty shop. Under which scheme will you apply for assistance and why?
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Define a plan?
Who is a worker?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
What do you understand by the drain of Indian wealth during the colonial period?
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
Define a plan?
What are the main problems of human capital formation in India?
Highlight any two serious adverse environmental consequences of development in India. India’s environmental problems pose a dichotomy — they are poverty induced and, at the same time, due to affluence in living standards — is this true?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
Fill in the blanks
(a) First Five Year Plan of ________________ commenced in the year 1956. (Pakistan/China)
(b) Maternal mortality rate is high in _____________. (China/Pakistan)
(c) Proportion of people below poverty line is more in __________. (India/Pakistan)
(d) Reforms in ______________ were introduced in 1978. (China/Pakistan)
What are the indicators of educational achievement in a country?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Highlight the salient features of India’s pre-independence occupational structure.