DESPITE VARIOUS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION OF GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,INEQUALITIES STILL PERSIST IN INDIA(GS1)

Reasons for Persistent Inequalities

Historical and Social Inequalities:

Caste System: The rigid caste system has historically marginalised certain communities. Despite legal abolishment, deep-seated biases continue to impact education, employment, and social mobility.

Gender Inequality: Patriarchal norms still dominate, limiting women's access to education, employment, and healthcare.

Economic Disparities:

Wealth Distribution: According to the Oxfam report 2023, the top 1% of India's population holds more than 40.5% of the country's total wealth, while the bottom 50% holds only 2.8%.

Income Inequality: The Gini coefficient, which measures income inequality, was 35.7 in 2019, indicating significant disparities.

Educational Inequality:

Quality of Education: There is a significant gap in the quality of education between urban and rural areas. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2022 highlighted that only 73.3% of children in rural India are enrolled in schools that meet basic quality standards.

Access to Higher Education: Enrollment rates in higher education are much lower for marginalised communities. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2019-20, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was 23.4% and 18.0%, respectively, compared to the national average of 27.1%.

Healthcare Inequality:

Access to Healthcare: Rural areas and marginalised communities have less access to quality healthcare services. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data indicates that only 56.5% of women in rural areas have access to adequate maternal health services, compared to 75.2% in urban areas.

Employment Inequality:

Informal Sector Dominance: A large portion of India's workforce is in the informal sector, which lacks job security, benefits, and fair wages. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2018-19, around 90% of workers in India are employed in the informal sector.

Unemployment: The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) reported an unemployment rate of 7.5% in June 2023, with higher rates among youth and marginalised groups.

Way Forward

Strengthening Implementation of Policies:

Effective Monitoring: Ensure strict implementation of affirmative action policies like reservations in education and employment through transparent monitoring mechanisms.

Targeted Programs: Design and implement targeted programs addressing specific needs of marginalised communities, such as the Stand-Up India scheme aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women.

Improving Quality of Education:

Inclusive Curriculum: Develop and implement an inclusive curriculum that addresses the needs of marginalised communities and promotes social harmony.

Teacher Training: Invest in training teachers to handle diverse classrooms and employ inclusive teaching methods.

Economic Reforms:

Progressive Taxation: Implement progressive taxation policies to redistribute wealth and fund social welfare programs.

Skill Development: Enhance skill development programs to improve employability, particularly among marginalised groups. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) can be expanded to cover more sectors and regions.

Healthcare Access:

Primary Healthcare: Strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure in rural areas to ensure basic health services are accessible to all.

Awareness Campaigns: Conduct awareness campaigns on health and hygiene, targeting marginalised communities to improve health outcomes.

Employment Opportunities:

Formalisation of Workforce: Encourage the formalisation of the informal sector through policies that provide incentives for formal employment.

Entrepreneurship Support: Provide support for entrepreneurship through micro-financing and training programs, particularly targeting marginalised communities.

Social Awareness and Mobilisation:

Public Awareness: Conduct public awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes towards marginalised communities, promoting inclusivity and equality.

Community Participation: Encourage the participation of marginalised communities in decision-making processes at local, state, and national levels.

               Addressing inequalities in India requires a multifaceted approach, involving effective policy implementation, economic reforms, and social change. By focusing on inclusive development and ensuring equal access to resources and opportunities, India can move towards a more equitable society. Continued data collection and analysis will be crucial in tracking progress and making necessary adjustments to policies and programs.