Use of non-durable materials in floor, roof, or walls.
Explanation
The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), released by NITI Aayog, assesses poverty based on simultaneous deprivations across three dimensions: Health, Education, and Standard of Living. These dimensions are represented by 12 specific indicators. The Housing indicator falls under the Standard of Living dimension and carries a weight of 1/21 in the overall index.
Detailed Analysis
The National MPI defines deprivation based on specific cut-offs aligned with the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data.
- It does not own a concrete house in an urban area. is incorrect: The index does not specifically mandate ownership of a "concrete" house in an urban area as the sole criterion. The focus is on the materials used for construction rather than the legal status of ownership or strict urban/rural distinctions in the definition.
- Use of non-durable materials in floor, roof, or walls. is correct: According to the National MPI technical guidelines, a household is considered deprived in the Housing indicator if the floor is made of natural materials, or the roof or walls are made of rudimentary materials. This effectively refers to the use of non-durable or "kucha" materials (such as mud, thatch, dung, or earth) in the construction of the dwelling.
- The house has less than two rooms for a family of four. is incorrect: While overcrowding is a measure of living conditions, the specific definition for the 'Housing' indicator in the National MPI focuses on the quality of construction materials, not the number of rooms per person.
- The house does not have a separate kitchen. is incorrect: The absence of a separate kitchen is not the defining criterion for the Housing indicator. Cooking conditions are assessed under the 'Cooking Fuel' indicator, which checks for the use of solid fuels like dung, wood, or charcoal.
Key Takeaway: Under India's National MPI, the Housing indicator considers a household deprived if the floor consists of natural materials (e.g., mud, dung) or if the roof/walls are constructed using rudimentary materials (e.g., thatch, bamboo, loose stones).