Question

Why is the calorie based norm not adequate to identify the poor?

Answer 1

Calorie based norm is not an adequate measure to identify poor people because of the following reasons:

(i) This system categorises the poor as a single category and does not differentiate between poor and very poor.

(ii) This mechanism considers calorie intake as the only basis of determining poverty. It fails to consider factors such as healthcare, provision of clean drinking water, proper sanitation, basic education etc.

(iii) This measure fails to explain social factors that cause poverty such as ill health, lack of access to resources, lack of civil and political freedom, etc.