Which expert committee was set up by the Government of India to review and redefine the concept of the poverty line and to suggest a more realistic methodology for measuring poverty?

Introduction / Context:

The question is about committees that have studied poverty measurement in India. Over time, several committees have been appointed to review how the poverty line is defined and to update the methodology to reflect changing prices and consumption patterns. One of the most significant of these is the committee chaired by Suresh Tendulkar.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The focus is on a committee that reviewed the concept of the poverty line.

- The committee was set up by the Government of India.

- The task included suggesting a more realistic methodology for measuring poverty.

- The options list different well known committees and a generic task force.

Concept / Approach:

The S Tendulkar Committee was constituted to examine and update the methodology for estimating poverty. It moved away from earlier calorie based norms and incorporated broader consumption needs. Its recommendations, including higher poverty lines and new estimates, led to major debates on poverty numbers in India. Hence, when a question mentions reviewing the concept of the poverty line and suggesting a new methodology, it usually refers to the S Tendulkar Committee.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Most economic survey summaries and planning documents mention the shift from the Lakdawala to the Tendulkar methodology, and later to other expert group recommendations. This timeline confirms that the committee associated with a revised concept of the poverty line in the more recent period is chaired by Suresh Tendulkar.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Lakdawala Committee did develop an important earlier methodology, but the key phrase review the concept of the poverty line and move to a new consumption based approach is linked to the Tendulkar Committee in exam questions.

Wanchoo Committee is known for its work on direct taxes and tax reforms, not on poverty measurement.

Dutt Committee is associated with industrial and economic issues but not specifically with the poverty line methodology.

NITI Aayog Task Force on Poverty is a generic sounding option and does not represent the classic committee name tested in standard general studies questions.

Common Pitfalls:

Students may confuse Lakdawala and Tendulkar committees because both deal with poverty estimation. A simple memory aid is to think of Lakdawala as the older benchmark and Tendulkar as the later committee that revised the concept and made the poverty line more inclusive. Keeping the chronological order clear helps avoid this confusion.

Final Answer:

The committee set up to review and redefine the concept of the poverty line was the S Tendulkar Committee.