Q14.There is a growing divergence in the relationship between poverty and hunger in India. The shrinking of social expenditure by the government is forcing the poor to spend more on non-food essential items squeezing their food – budget.- Elucidate.

India faces a growing divergence where poverty reduction does not proportionally translate into hunger reduction, indicating persistent food insecurity despite economic progress.

Divergence and its Causes

Shrinking government social expenditure in critical sectors like health, education, and sanitation increases out-of-pocket expenses for poor households, forcing them to bear a greater financial burden.

Consequently, poor households prioritize spending on these rising non-food essentials (e.g., healthcare, transport), inevitably 'squeezing' their food budget and limiting access to nutritious food.

Consequences and Evidence

• This leads to reduced food quantity, quality, and diversity, exacerbating hunger and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups.
• Data from indices like the Global Hunger Index and NFHS consistently highlight persistent nutritional deficiencies despite economic growth.

Addressing this requires enhanced public investment in social infrastructure, robust social safety nets, and effective targeted food security programs for equitable access.