The task ahead

The idea of inclusive growth is an important contribution in movement towards justice and “welfare of all”. However, to make the concept more meaningful there is a need to make a detailed analysis of what went wrong with the earlier plans. Planning Commission (Government of India) seems to be wary to take up this analysis very seriously. Is it possible to have an inclusionary growth under the present model of development on its own? The question is important because if it is not possible, the problem of inequality and injustice will remain forever and we will have to make continuous efforts to provide economic and social security to vast masses. It is alright to say that something has to be done for SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities. Nowadays, there is also a political interest expressed in the poor among the people belonging to the General category. If you add them up all you are targeting virtually 95 percent India for inclusion. Does it make sense to go for a model of development which leaves behind 95 percent people? We have to redefine our priorities. We also have to rethink about the basis of inclusion. Can we think of some better basis of grouping of people for inclusion which leads to justice, keeping the national and cultural fabric of society integrated? Will the concept of inclusion in its present form not lead to a kind of racism in an economy which can benefit only a small number of people but strengthen casteism and communalism? Are we not creating Africanization of India in which there is rapid development confined only to a small number of groups, and the rest are left to face racism, violence, anomy, distrust, poverty and diseases? The model of inclusive growth needs to be subjected to these questions. The outcome of the paradigm of inclusive growth will depend heavily on how we identify the backward sections, regions and groups without jeopardizing the social and cultural fabric of the country.