1996-97 मध्ये नियोजन मंडळाने व्यक्त केलेल्या दारिद्रयाच्या अंदाजासाठी कोणता निकष वापरला होता ?

The correct answer is Option A (Per month per capita 122-60 consumption expenditure for rural sector and 158-30 for urban sector).

Key Points:
• The Planning Commission estimated poverty lines based on the Lakdawala Committee (1993) methodology, which anchored poverty lines to calorie thresholds (2400 kcal rural, 2100 kcal urban) updated via price indices (CPI-AL for rural, CPI-IW for urban).
• Poverty Line Criteria for 1996-97 Reference Updates:
• In official baseline calculations released during the mid-1990s (dating back to base updates around the late 1980s / early 1990s transition figures cited by the Planning Commission), the per capita monthly consumption expenditure criterion used was ₹122.60 per month for rural areas and ₹158.30 per month for urban areas.
• Therefore, Option 1 matches the official Planning Commission criteria and the official answer key.
• Key Takeaway: Planning Commission 1996-97 poverty estimates referenced ₹122.60 (rural) and ₹158.30 (urban) per capita monthly expenditure.