Context:
Average household spending rose 3.5% through Aug. 2023-July 2024, shows HEC Survey released by NSSO.
Key Findings:
- Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) –
- Rural Areas: The average MPCE in rural India is estimated to be Rs. 4,122 without considering the imputed values of items received free of cost through social welfare programs.
- Urban Areas: The average MPCE in urban India is estimated to be Rs. 6,996 without considering the imputed values of items received free of cost through social welfare programs.
- Growth in MPCE
- Rural Growth: The average MPCE in rural areas increased by about 9% from 2022-23.
- Urban Growth: The average MPCE in urban areas increased by about 8% from 2022-23.
- Urban-Rural Gap – The urban-rural gap in MPCE has declined to 70% in 2023-24 from 71% in 2022-23, indicating sustained momentum in rural consumption growth.
- Consumption Inequality – Gini coefficient, a measure of inequality, has declined in both rural areas, and urban areas.
- Expenditure Distribution –
- Non-food items remain the major contributor to household expenditure, with a 53% share in rural areas and 60% in urban areas.
- Major Non-Food Expenditures: Conveyance, clothing, bedding & footwear, miscellaneous goods & entertainment, and durable goods are major expenditure categories in both rural and urban areas.
- Rent: Rent, including house rent, garage rent, and hotel accommodation charges, constitutes about 7% of urban households’ non-food expenditure.
- Beverages, refreshments, and processed food continue to have the major expenditure share in the food items basket for both rural and urban households.
- State-wise MPCE –
- Sikkim has the highest MPCE, with Rs. 9,377 in rural areas and Rs. 13,927 in urban areas.
- Chhattisgarh has the lowest MPCE, with Rs. 2,739 in rural areas and Rs. 4,927 in urban areas.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
With reference to consumer’s rights/ privileges under the provision of law in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Consumer are empowered to take samples for food testing
2. When a consumer files a complaint in any consumer forum, no fee is required to be paid.
3. In case of death of a consumer, his/her legal heir can file a complaint in the consumer forum on his/her behalf.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)