This trend holds even when a larger comparison of India’s southern and western states’ GSDP is made with the traditional laggard states, often clubbed together as BIMARU (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh). Thanks to the removal of restrictions on private production and consumption in the post-reform period, there are no limits to private consumption today. Because official statistical agencies in India do not publish income data, CES is the basis of ascertaining poverty and inequality levels. A reduction in MPCE levels entailed a rise in poverty levels. A report released by the Azim Premji University has estimated that the number of people who earned below .375 per day (one measure of poverty) increased by 231 million compared to the pre-pandemic period.

Source: Hindustan Times July 05, 2021 20:03 UTC