Income Variations and Pattern of Consumption Expenditure in Rural and Urban India

Rural areas are characterized by low income levels, poor quality of life and weak base of human development. Rural -Urban divide is quite apparent in all spheres of human life. What worries most the policy planners is that the magnitude of disparity has accentuated during the post reform period due to change in the income growth trajectories of rural and urban areas. The growing rural -urban divide may have for reaching economic, social and political ramifications. It is, therefore, essential to examine the extent of this divide and draw inferences for policy interventions for its rectification. The present Study was, therefore, undertaken to identify the income inequalities and analyze the changes in consumption pattern of rural areas across the Country.