Is the Norm of 2400, 2100 Kcal Per Capita Per Day and 2425 Kcal Per Cu Appropriate?

Abstract

In defining poverty line, Planning Commission had utilized the calorie requirement norm of 2400 Kcal per capita per day for rural areas and 2100 Kcal for urban areas. This norm is based on age, sex, occupational structure of the population and the corresponding recommended dietary allowances for each category. The age, sex, occupational structure of the population considered by Planning Commission for this relates to the year 1977-78. National Institute of Nutrition refers the norm of 2425 Kcal per consumption unit per day. With demographic transition and general development the age, sex, activity structure of the population has undergone sea change. Therefore the norms based on past information may or may not be appropriate in the present context. Hence it is appropriate to examine the appropriateness of the norms and the implication of the change in the age, sex, activity structure requirement norm. This paper is an attempt in this direction.