Poverty by price indices

This paper examines in detail the premises used in the basic methodology of the Indian Planning Commission to define poverty lines in India.

It examines the logistics of using available data with a view to estimating poverty transparency, while using data at a disaggregated level. The author sets to estimate poverty on the basis of price indices while addressing transparency, individuality of states and the link between consumption levels and prices of basic commodities. She also argues that structure can lead to a better understanding of the poverty scenario in each state. Lastly the paper highlights the paradox of rising real income and declining nutritional intake wihin many of India's states. [author]