EXPLORING MULTIDIMENSIONAL PERSPECTIVE OF POVERTY AMONG THE RURAL PANGALS IN MANIPUR: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

This paper analyses poverty among the rural Pangals in Manipur on a Multidimensional perspective. For the analysis, Borayangbi Gram Panchayat where Pangal community settle in large number is selected. By utilizing a field survey data conducted during the first quarter of 2019 the Multidimensional Poverty of Borayangbi Gram Panchayat is estimated. Borayangbi is a remote village located in the southern part of Imphal Valley under Moirang Sub-Division in Bishnupur District, Manipur. The village is worthwhile to study its level of poverty and deprivation as there are limited studies in this area. Multidimensional Poverty Index captures the simultaneous deprivations of each person in different households. The methodology used in the study is developed by Alkire and Foster and involves three dimensions: health, education and living standard. Additional indicators are also used to suit the study of the area concerned. This methodology enhances the better understanding of poverty and deprivation of the concern village. A stratified random sampling technique was used to conduct the survey of 100 households in the village. In the study, it is found that the largest contribution of deprivation is the dimension of living standard. People in the village experience maximum deprivation in the indicators of cooking fuels and safe drinking water. The results and information can be used to design policy perspective of the village and help in targeting poverty alleviation program. KEYWORDS: Multidimensional Poverty Index, Alkire Foster Method, Borayangbi, Pangals