Why do different countries use different poverty lines?

What do you think would be the ‘minimum necessary level’ in your locality?

Study the Table above and answer the following questions:

1. Even if poverty ratio declined between 1993-94 and 2004-05, why did the number of poor remain at about 407 million?

2. Are the dynamics of poverty reduction the same in rural and urban India?

Observe some of the poor families around you and try to find the following:

(i) Which social and economic group do they belong to?

(ii) Who are the earning members in the family?

(iii) What is the condition of the old people in the family?

(iv) Are all the children (boys and girls) attending schools?

Study the Graph above and do the following:

Poverty Ratio in Selected Indian States, 1999-2000

(i) Identify the three states where the poverty ratio is the highest.

(ii) Identify the three states where poverty ratio is the lowest.

Study the Graph and do the following:

Graph: Number of poor by region ($1 per day) in millions)

1. Identify the areas of world where poverty ratios have declined.

2. Identify the areas of globe which has the largest concentration of the poor.

Describe how the poverty line is estimated in India.

Do you think that present methodology of poverty estimation is appropriate?

Describe poverty trends in India since 1973.

Discuss the major reasons for poverty in India.

Identify the social and economic groups which are most vulnerable to poverty in India.

Give an account of inter-state disparities of poverty in India.

Describe global poverty trends.

Describe current government strategy of poverty alleviation.

Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) What do you understand by human poverty?

(ii) Who are the poorest of the poor?

(iii) What are the main features of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005?