Poverty in India

The issue of poverty is a significant concern in India, with a large portion of the population living below the poverty line. Poverty can be measured in different ways, including absolute poverty and relative poverty. In India, the focus is primarily on absolute poverty rather than relative poverty.

Absolute Poverty

Absolute poverty refers to a condition where individuals or households lack the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare. It is an objective measure of poverty based on a fixed standard of living. In India, the government has set a poverty line to determine the number of people living below the poverty line. The poverty line is defined in terms of minimum caloric intake and is periodically revised to account for inflation and changing consumption patterns.

Relative Poverty

Relative poverty, on the other hand, is a measure of poverty relative to the overall distribution of income and wealth in society. It compares the living standards of individuals or households to the average or median income of the population. Relative poverty takes into account the social and economic context in which individuals live. However, in India, the focus is primarily on absolute poverty rather than relative poverty.

Reasons for the Focus on Absolute Poverty

1. Scale of Poverty: India has a large population, and a significant proportion of people live below the poverty line. The government's priority is to address the basic needs of these individuals and lift them out of absolute poverty.

2. Lack of Basic Necessities: Many people in India lack access to essential services like clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and education. Addressing absolute poverty is crucial to improving the overall well-being of the population.

3. Development Goals: The government has set ambitious targets to reduce poverty and improve living standards. By focusing on absolute poverty, it becomes easier to track progress and allocate resources effectively.

4. Inequality: India has high levels of income inequality, with a significant wealth gap between the rich and poor. Addressing absolute poverty helps to reduce this gap and promote social and economic equality.

5. Human Rights Perspective: Ensuring that individuals have access to basic necessities is a fundamental human right. By focusing on absolute poverty, the government aims to fulfill this right for all citizens.

Conclusion

While both absolute and relative poverty are essential considerations in addressing poverty, India's focus primarily lies in tackling absolute poverty. By prioritizing the basic needs of individuals and households, the government aims to uplift the living standards of the population and reduce inequality.

Relative is the right answer