Indian Poverty Estimates: How Great is the Debate?

Abstract

We review The Great Indian Poverty Debate edited by Angus Deaton and Valerie Kozel. The volume has great value as a survey of the complex issues involved in estimating poverty in India, which have recently been the subject of substantial controversy. However, the volume has notable omissions. The official poverty lines presently applied in India are of doubtful value, especially in the assessment of poverty trends. We propose an alternative approach to defining and updating poverty lines for India, by anchoring them in the real requirements of achieving elementary human capabilities.