Chandigarh: Punjab has recorded a significant gender gap in the consumption of protein-rich food categories, with 72.63% of male observations reporting consumption across three to four selected categories, compared with 61.46% of female observations. The difference is wider than that recorded in neighbouring Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, according to a State Bank of India (SBI) Research report.In Haryana, the corresponding figures are 78.61% for males and 71.41% for females, while Himachal Pradesh records 80.9% and 70.66%, respectively. Punjab trails both states in the proportion of male as well as female observations reporting consumption across the selected categories.The report points to considerable gender-based variation across states. Male observations record higher percentages than female observations in most states, with particularly wide gaps in Telangana, Odisha, Punjab and Chhattisgarh. However, Goa is an exception, with the female figure marginally higher than the male figure.Telangana records the widest gender gap among the states cited, with the figures standing at 91.75% for males and 61.49% for females, a difference of 30.26 percentage points. In Odisha, the corresponding figures are 70.55% and 47.8%. In contrast, the gap is relatively narrow in Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Assam records 93.37% for males and 91.37% for females, while the figures for Uttar Pradesh are 91.38% and 88.1%. Rajasthan records the lowest percentages among the states covered, at 60.49% for males and 49.06% for females.The report also compares household expenditure on selected protein-rich food items across states. Punjab records an average expenditure of ₹1,342, lower than Haryana’s Rs 1,649 but higher than Himachal Pradesh’s Rs 1,224. Sikkim tops the list at Rs 1,776, followed by Goa at ₹1,711, while Odisha records the lowest expenditure at Rs 656. The report says variations in purchasing power, food prices and dietary preferences may influence these expenditure patterns.On the use of LPG as the primary cooking fuel, Punjab records an adoption rate of 89.5%, compared with 74% in Haryana and 45.6% in Himachal Pradesh. In Punjab, LPG usage stands at 84.1% in rural areas and 97.1% in urban areas. The corresponding rural and urban figures are 59.4% and 94.7% in Haryana, and 39.9% and 82% in Himachal Pradesh.The report also highlights differences in beneficiary coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). Punjab records overall coverage of 19.1%, with 24.8% in rural areas and 11.1% in urban areas. Haryana’s corresponding figures are 27%, 34.5% and 16.3%, while Himachal Pradesh records 9.4%, 10.5% and 2.7%, respectively. Rural coverage is higher than urban coverage in all three states.NUTRITION DIVIDE: KEY FINDINGSProtein-rich food consumption was reported by 72.63% of men and 61.46% of women in PunjabAverage household expenditure stood at Rs 1,342, below Haryana but above Himachal PradeshOverall Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana coverage was 19.1%, with rural coverage at 24.8% and urban coverage at 11.1%
