Changes in Level of Living in Rural West Bengal-Private Consumption

A resurvey in 1985-86 of villages and households in three districts of West Bengal which were covered by the National Sample Survey in its 27th and 28th rounds reveals that there was little change in consumption standards for the food component of household consumption and only a mild improvement in the non-food part. Absolute levels of household consumption remained nearly as dismal in 1985-86 as in 1972-73.