India at 100: Govt must set realistic goals to empower marginalized groups

India at 75 is more vibrant, inclusive and progressive. It is more responsive to people's aspirations, needs, cries and dreams. Society as a whole is more emphatic than what we used to be seventy five years ago at the time of independence. Democracy has been a great leveller. A slew of affirmative and welfare measures have played a critical role in bridging socio-economic and political gaps.

Universalization of education, expanding health infra, better highways, large scale penetration of roads in rural areas, newer medical colleges, hospitals, universities, and higher education institutions show the country's collective resolve and resilience to aspire and achieve a better ease of life, lasting peace, prosperity and facilities. The idea of equality, justice, fraternity and liberty, which are four important pillars of the Indian Constitution, has strengthened over the years. Youngsters' complete faith in the Constitution and Constitution driven system is a very good omen for all. The Indian statute is very much in sync with the country's multifaceted diversity – from the north to the south, the east to the west. India's diversity is a rare legacy to cherish forever. It is heartening indeed to see the spirit of unity in diversity is being so well nurtured under the tutelage of the Constitution.

However, a nation can never sit on any amount of laurels. Critical appraisal of the growth process should be done in continuity and the loopholes identified should be plugged immediately. Ever prepared for course correction and adopting enabling measures for the holistic empowerment of masses is what makes the idea of good governance reliable, effective and inclusive. A mature nation and society must not hesitate in admitting chinks in their armour.

Failure to do so proves not only counterproductive but also weakens the foundation of the nation. Oxfam India's 'Inequality Kills' report says that the number of billionaires in the country increased from 102 to 142 during 2021. Describing India as a 'very unequal' country, the report claims that the top 10 people hold 57 per cent of the country's wealth, while the share of the bottom half is 13 per cent. The report further states that 84 per cent of Indian households witnessed an income decline due to Covid-19 pandemic, which is a painful fact. The richest 98 Indians own the same wealth as the bottom 552 million people. The wealth of the top 100 families is Rs 57.3 trillion.

Income disparities are not something new in the country but must be addressed effectively for which there is a need for engaging the people in gainful employment. Quality human capital and evenly spread opportunities and facilities will make a real difference. As a nation, India cannot afford to have different sets of opportunities and facilities for the people living in different parts of the country.

It will be unfair to say that in the past 75 years efforts have not been made to bridge the yawning gap between haves and have nots, but inadequacies and gaps in delivery mechanisms have adversely impacted the results on the ground. The culture of self-employment should be created at the national level to check the ever increasing burden on salaried job sectors – either private or government for which an ecosystem has to be developed. Poor gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education institutions strongly indicates that the vast majority of youngsters from weaker, educationally and socially backward communities are not able to get higher education. It is an alarm bell for policy makers and rulers of the country.

Similarly, life in rural India, and unorganized colonies, slums in urban areas needs special attention. Residents are poor Indians, who have to compromise with their basic needs for want of limited income. The need for quality, affordable and ethical education and healthcare for the masses is eternally non-compromising. India is paying a huge cost in terms of loss of years of human life. The International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, analyzed data from Census-2011 to estimate, by indirect methods, the life expectancy for the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and non-ST population in India. These estimates, as published in The Lancet 2016, show that life expectancy for ST population at birth in India is 63.9 years as against 67 years of the general population. According to the 2014 survey of the National Sample Survey Office on morbidity and healthcare, the average age of death in ST households was 43 years. It is no better among SC and OBC households. However, the average age of death among non-Muslim upper caste households was pegged at 60. Thus, India is not just a land of challenges but of opportunities as well.

Every challenge is pregnant with opportunities to strengthen the country's inclusive fabric and reduce socio-economic, educational and political disparities. The Union Budget 2022-23 is seen as an impetus for growth along four priorities –PM GatiShakti, a digital platform to bring 16 ministries including Railways and Roadways together for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects; inclusive development; productivity enhancement and investment, sunrise opportunities, energy transition, and climate action; and financing of investments. Inclusive development at the core of planning means better results in terms of distribution of opportunities and accessing facilities, which are currently in the grip of urban elites. It should be ensured that aspirations of common folk are not crushed in continuity. Majority of top seats of learning and treatment in the private and public sectors are out of the reach of common people. Thanks to affirmative measures, they have some access but not in proportion to their population.

The outlay for capital expenditure in the Union Budget has been stepped up sharply by 35.4 per cent from Rs 5.54 lakh crore in the current year to Rs 7.50 lakh crore in 2022-23. According to Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the capital expenditure has thus increased to more than 2.2 times the expenditure of 2019-20 and would be 2.9 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022-23.

With capital expenditure taken together with the provision made for creation of capital assets through grants-in-aid to states, the 'effective capital expenditure' of the Central government is estimated at Rs 10.68 lakh crore in 2022-23, which will be about 4.1 per cent of GDP, she said. It is certainly not a small amount but remains to be seen how capex is aligned with people's aspirations. After all, the idea is to meet the dreams of deprived, discriminated people of the country on priority so that barriers of their progress are eliminated. During Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India must set realistic goals to empower the left out lot in a wholesome manner during the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal'

(The writer is a senior journalist and author. The views are strictly personal)