The correct option is (d).
Explanation
The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), released by NITI Aayog, assesses poverty based on three equally weighted dimensions: Health, Education, and Standard of Living. These dimensions are represented by 12 indicators. The Cooking Fuel indicator falls under the Standard of Living dimension and carries a weight of 1/21 in the overall index.
Statement-wise Analysis
The deprivation cutoff for the 'Cooking Fuel' indicator is based on the type of fuel used by the household for cooking. A household is considered deprived if it does not use clean cooking fuels (such as LPG, natural gas, biogas, or electricity) and instead relies on solid or polluting fuels.
- Statement 1 is Correct: Dung is classified as a solid, polluting fuel. Households relying on animal dung for cooking are considered deprived under the MPI methodology.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Agricultural crops, shrubs, straw, or grass are categorized as solid biomass fuels. Their use indicates a lack of access to clean energy, classifying the household as deprived.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Charcoal and coal (including lignite) are solid fossil fuels that produce harmful emissions. Reliance on these fuels for cooking constitutes deprivation.
Key Takeaway
Under the National MPI, a household is deprived in the Cooking Fuel indicator if it cooks with dung, wood, charcoal, coal, agricultural residues, or shrubs. Non-deprivation is achieved only by using clean fuels like LPG, Natural Gas, Biogas, or Electricity.