Skip to main content

Average per capita expenditure on education much lower in Gujarat: NSSO

By Rajiv Shah 
The latest National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) report, “Key Indicators of Household Consumer Expenditure in India” , released in June 2013 and based on sample survey in 2011 and 2012, does not just suggest that the average Gujarati both in rural and urban areas is forced to spend a higher proportion on food items compared to non-food items, which include anything ranging from paan and tobacco to clothing, footwear, fuel and light, transportation, education, health and entertainment . The NSSO data also suggest that while the average Gujarati would like to “save” on education and healthcare, thereby spending a relatively smaller amount than most other states on the items under the two categories, he diverts his attention towards spending a much higher sum on edible oil, milk and milk products and paan, tobacco and intoxicants. At the same time, the survey finds out that the average Gujarati spends less on cereals, a major source of nutrition in a state where consumption of eggs, fish and meat is relatively much lower.
If the new NSSO data are to be believed, the rural Gujarati spends Rs 34 and the urban Gujarati spends Rs 77 per month per head on education, which is quite low compared to most other states. The NSSO defines education to include expenditure on “goods purchased for the purpose of education, viz., books and journals (first-hand or second-hand), newspapers, stationery, educational CD, etc, and also magazines, novels and other fiction. It also includes fees paid to educational institutions (e.g., schools, colleges, universities, etc.) on account of tuition and other fees like game fees, library fees, etc., and payment to private tutors. Fees for shorthand and typing courses, fees for music, dancing and swimming lessons, and fees for training in nursing, physiotherapy, etc., are included.”
Monthly per consumer expenditure on education (rural) in Rs
The average Gujarati spending on education is not only much lower than the all-India average (Rs 50 in rural areas and Rs 200 in urban areas). It is, in fact, lower than most states – Andhra Pradesh (Rs 59 in rural areas, Rs 184 in urban areas), Haryana (Rs 157 in rural areas, Rs 336 in urban areas), Himachal Pradesh (Rs 91 in rural areas and Rs 257 in urban areas), Jammu & Kashmir (Rs 79 in rural areas and Rs 194 in urban areas), Karnataka (Rs 36 in rural areas and Rs 203 in urban areas), Kerala (Rs 98 in rural areas and Rs 168 in urban areas), Maharashtra (Rs 47 in rural areas and Rs 211 in urban areas), Punjab (Rs 139 in rural areas and Rs 225 in urban areas), Rajasthan (Rs 65 in rural areas and Rs 227 in urban areas), Tamil Nadu (Rs 81 in rural areas and Rs 171 in urban areas), Uttar Pradesh (Rs 45 in rural areas and 159 in urban areas), Uttarakhand (Rs 93 in rural areas and Rs 157 in urban areas, and West Bengal (Rs 77 in rural areas and Rs 175 in urban areas). The rural population of a few states like Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh spends less on education than Gujarat, but as for urban areas, things are just the opposite.
The situation is not very different vis-à-vis healthcare. On the health front, the average rural Gujarati spends Rs 34 for institutional medicine and Rs 47 for non-institutional medicine, while the average urban Gujarati spends Rs 51 on institutional medicine and Rs 69 on non-institutional medicine. The NSSO explains, “The distinction between institutional and non-institutional medical expenses lies in whether the expenses were incurred on medical treatment as an in-patient of a medical institution (institutional), or otherwise (non-institutional). Medical institution here covers private as well as government institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes.” Taken together, the average rural Gujarati spends Rs 81 on healthcare in rural areas, as compared to the all-India average of Rs 95. As for the urban areas, the average Gujarati spends Rs 120 on healthcare (both institutional and non-institutional) as against the all-India average of Rs 143.
Monthly per capita expenditure on education (urban) in Rs
Compared to lower spending on the social sector, significantly, the average rural as well as urban Gujarati spends a much higher amount than most states on edible oil – Rs 89 and Rs 197 respectively. This is higher than all states, including “comparable” states such as Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The average Gujarati also spends much higher sum than many states on milk and milk products (Rs 196 in rural areas and Rs 267 in urban areas), which is higher than most states except states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. Same is the case with such vegetables and sugar. However, a higher spending on edible oil, milk and milk products, sugar and vegetables is compensated by the average Gujarati’s much lower per capita per month spending on egg, fish and meat – Rs 24 in rural and Rs 30 in urban areas as against the all-India average of Rs 68 in rural and Rs 96 urban areas, respectively.
It is a matter of some concern that while the average Gujarati spends a big sum on edible oils and milk and milk products, significantly, the spending is quite much less compared to most states on cereals, which is a major source of nutrition in the absence of non-vegetarian food. On cereals, the average rural Gujarati spends Rs 126 per capita per month, while the average urban Gujarati spends Rs 143. This is against the all-India average spending on cereals to the tune of Rs 153 per capita per month in rural areas and Rs 174 in urban areas. Equally disconcerting is the fact that the average Gujarati spends a much higher sum on paan, tobacco and other intoxicants (Rs 44 in rural areas as against the all-India average of Rs 43, and Rs 44 in urban areas as against the all-India average of Rs 42).

Comments

TRENDING

Towards 2024: Time for ‘We the People of India’ to wake up before it is too late

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ*  It is Constitution Day once again! We, the people of India, gratefully remember 26 November 1949 when the Constitution of India was passed and adopted by the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly comprised women and men of distinction, who were able to represent the heart and soul of the people of India without fear or favour. They gave of their best, so that we may a visionary Constitution, which would be the mainstay for and of democracy in India!

Regretful: Kapil Dev retired not leaving Indian cricket with integrity he upheld

By Harsh Thakor  Kapil Dev scaled heights as an entertainer and a player upholding the spirit of the game almost unparalleled in his era. In his time he was cricket’s ultimate mascot of sportsmanship On his day Kapil could dazzle in all departments to turn the tempo of game in the manner of a Tsunami breaking in. He radiated r energy, at a level rarely scaled in his era on a cricket field. Few ever blended aggression with artistry so comprehenisively. Although fast medium, he could be as daunting with the ball as the very best, with his crafty outswinger, offcutter, slower ball and ball that kicked from a good length. Inspite of bowling on docile tracks on the subcontinent, Kapil had 434 scalps, with virtually no assistance. I can never forget how he obtained pace and movement on flat pancakes, trapping the great Vivian Richards in Front or getting Geoff Boycott or Zaheer Abbas caught behind. No paceman carried the workload of his team’s bowling attack on his shoulders in his eras muc

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das*  India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

Critical factors that determine, contribute to the success and effectiveness of NGOs

By Rohit Rakshit  Over the last few years, I have been fortunate to work with numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across various states in the country. This experience has allowed me to gain insights into their diverse areas of work while also enabling me to analyze the key attributes that contribute to the success of a good NGO. According to my observations, the following are the critical factors that determine the effectiveness of an NGO.

Polytechnic Uprising 50 years ago even today inspires radical Greek youth movement

By Harsh Thakor*  On November 17, progressive sections in Greece marked the 50th anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic Uprising of 1973. A massive rally from the Athens Polytechnic passed through various parts of the city, including the US Embassy. Thousands of activists from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Communist Youth of Greece (KNE), Students Struggle Front (MAS), Federation of Greek Women (OGE), Hellenic Committee for International Detente and Peace (EEDYE), and All Workers Militant Front (PAME), among other groups, participated in the march denouncing imperialism, fascism and military dictatorship.

Delhi labour chowk workers get work for 15 days a month, 10% get grain on ration cards

By Bharat Dogra*  It is around 10 in the morning and the number of workers at the Sigalpur labor chowk in Shalimar Bagh area of Delhi is increasing. As a worker Munna says: “The hope of getting any work is much lesser now due to pollution related ban on construction but still workers assemble here in the hope of getting at least some minor repair or other work.”

How adamant Bellsonika management is continuously robbing workers' livelihood

By Harsh Thakor*  On September 27th, earlier this year, the Bellsonika Workers’ Union was stripped of legal status or registration. The Haryana government's labour department cancelled the registration of the Bellsonica workers' union over granting the membership to one of the 'contractual workers'. It was major breach on Constitutional Rights of workers, to enable the contract labour system to flourish, and tighten the noose on any form of workers resistance.

Day to remember hardship, sincere efforts of Dr Ambedkar for framing Constitution

By Dr Kapilendra Das  The 26th of November, the day of an important landmark in India's journey as an Independent, Sovereign, socialist, secular, and Democratic, Republic is celebrated as National Constitution Day in India, also known as Samvidhan Divas. On this day the constituent Assembly adopted the constitution of India in 1949 to secure the Indian Citizen's justice, liberty, equality, and union which came into effect two months later, on January 26, 1950, and India became a Republic.

TERI researchers outline ways for robust, equitable and flexible outcome at COP28

By Sanya Hans  Researchers at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) launched two crucial policy briefs ahead of the much anticipated 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) scheduled from November 30 to December 12, 2023 at Dubai, UAE.  Former climate negotiator, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, a Distinguished Fellow at TERI emphasized, “Adaptation is an imperative and absolute must in present times for the Global South. COP28 needs to make the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) integral to climate commitments and action”.  “Climate change demands that energy use must be sustainable; the development imperative of the Global South demands it to be inclusive, just and fair," Mr Puri added.   Outcome on GGA will be a key determinant for the success of COP28   The policy brief titled ‘Road to Dubai and The Global Goal on Adaption’ reviewed the discussions around the GGA framework to provide perspectives on what could be a robust, equitable, and flexible outcome of the GGA process at CO

Raising temperature of frozen foods by 3 degrees from -18°C to -15°C can slash carbon emissions: Study

By Payel Sannigrahi  Frozen food temperatures could be changed by just three degrees to save the carbon dioxide emissions of 3.8 million cars per year, research suggests.