Extent and Intensity of Poverty in Maharashtra: Evidence from NSSO Data

This study estimated household poverty among socio-religious groups in Maharashtra by using unit level household consumption expenditure data of 61st (2004 - 05) and 68th (2011-12) rounds surveyed by National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO). Poverty was measured by making use of the Head - Count Ratio (HCR) at six administrative divisions in the state by making use of the Tendulkar Methodology, according to which poverty line in Maharashtra was ` 485 and ` 632 for 61st round (2004 - 05) and ` 967 and ` 1126 for 68th round for both rural and urban sectors. The results indicated that the incidence of poverty among the social groups was reduced by 13.7% among Scheduled Tribes followed by 33.15% in Scheduled Castes, 24.62% in OBC, and 16.83% in Others (non ST, SC, & OBC); among the religious groups, poverty reduced by 20.62% in Hindu and 9.45% in Muslim community households during the study period of 61st round (2004 - 05) and 68th round (2011-12).