Working paper
Selecting a targeting method to identify BPL households in India
- Abstract:
-
This paper proposes how to select a methodology to target multidimensionally poor households, and how to update that targeting exercise periodically. We present this methodology in the context of discussions regarding the selection of a targeting methodology in India. In 1992, 1997, and 2002 the Indian government identified households that are Below the Poverty Line (BPL) and in updating the 2002 methodology, alternative methods have been proposed and vigorously debated. A fourth BPL method was published and a corresponding Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC), implemented. Using the third National Family Health Survey (NFHS3), this paper illustrates how a BPL targeting method using SECC variables might be calibrated to a multidimensional poverty measure. This paper compares the fit between a benchmark measure of multidimensional poverty and several plausible targeting methods to determine which method(s) approximate it – as well as related measures – most closely. We find a ten-item binary scoring method, which uses variables already available in the SECC questionnaire, provides a strong proxy. The emphasis of this paper is to illustrate how a particular targeting method can be justified, rather than to advocate any particular solution.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Reviewed (other)
Actions
Authors
- Publisher:
- Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI)
- Series:
- OPHI working paper
- Publication date:
- 2012-01-01
- Edition:
- Publisher's version
- ISSN:
-
2040-8188
- Paper number:
- 53
- ISBN:
- 9781907194399
- Language:
-
English
- Keywords:
- UUID:
-
uuid:399b10a7-a999-4579-8beb-27af08daee6d
- Local pid:
-
ora:9465
- Deposit date:
-
2014-12-02
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative
- Copyright date:
- 2012
- Notes:
- Copyright © Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative 2012. This publication is copyright, however it may be reproduced without fee for teaching or non-profit purposes, but not for resale. Formal permission is required for all such uses, and will normally be granted immediately. For copying in any other circumstances, or for re-use in other publications, or for translation or adaptation, prior written permission must be obtained from OPHI and may be subject to a fee.
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