| |
|
|
New Estimates of Poverty in India: A Critique of the Tendulkar Committee Report |
|
G. Raveendran |
|
The paper provides a summary of the “Compendium of Best Practices in Poverty Measurement” brought out by the Rio Group and highlights the key features which underpin the credibility of the poverty line. These features are that: (i) the methods on which it is based reflect the ‘best practice’ scientific research methodology and data, and (ii) the judgements on which it is based are broadly in line with community opinion on the meaning and measurement of poverty. The methodology recommended by the Tendulkar Committee and the apparent improvements claimed are reviewed in terms of the above features and statistical validity of different conclusions included in the report. The procedure is also not replicable. The claim of the Group that the new methodology incorporates significant improvements over the current practice cannot be proved on the basis of the tests indicated in the report. The procedure suggested for the updation of the poverty line is practically infeasible. A few suggestions are given at the end to derive realistic poverty estimates at periodical intervals without using price indices. |
|