भारतातील दारिद्र्य संकल्पनेचा किमान उष्मांकाशी संबंध कोणी जोडला आहे ?

The correct answer is Option C (Dandekar and Rath).

Key Points:
• Correct Option Evaluation: The correct answer is option (3) Dandekar and Rath.
• Calorie-Based Poverty Estimation: V.M. Dandekar and N. Rath made a pioneering study on poverty in India in 1971 titled 'Poverty in India'. They were the first to evaluate poverty on the basis of a fixed minimum calorie intake, setting the benchmark at 2250 calories per capita per day for both rural and urban areas.
• Analysis of Other Options:
• P.K. Bardhan (Option 1) and B.S. Minhas (Option 4) also conducted prominent independent studies on rural poverty trends and income distribution in India during the early 1970s, focusing on consumption expenditures rather than exclusively establishing the calorie norm.
• Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia (Option 2) is well-known for his later works on structural reforms, poverty trends during the 1970s and 1980s, and planning commission advisory roles.
• Exam Insight: Understanding calorie norms laid the groundwork for future expert committees like the Alagh Committee (1979) and Lakdawala Committee (1993) which refined calorie requirements to 2400 calories for rural and 2100 calories for urban areas.
• Key Takeaway: Dandekar and Rath (1971) pioneered poverty estimation in India based on a calorie norm of 2250 calories.