- “Our concern for inclusiveness in the 11th Plan period is reflected in the fact that, in addition to the 9 per cent growth target, the Plan lists 26 other monitorable targets highlighting inclusiveness concerns. These include targets for agricultural growth, poverty reduction, employment generation, school enrolment, reduction in the gender gap and access to clean drinking water.
- We do not have all the data we need to measure progress in these dimensions during the first three years of the 11th Plan, but the document before us presents a reasonable assessment of the overall position in these areas.
- Rates of enrolment in primary schools have increased. Gender gaps in schooling are narrowing. Life expectancy rates after immunisation of children have increased. The percentage of population with access to safe drinking water has also gone up and so has village connectivity and electrification. But, I must add that, while there is progress, we have achieved less than what we need to.
- Our target for reducing poverty is to cut the percentage of the population below the poverty line by ten percentage points during the Plan period. This implies a pace of poverty reduction more than twice that experienced in the past. Our success in ensuring inclusive growth depends critically on how well we do in this dimension of performance.”
In a way these are the standard statement even before the economic reform that was initiated in the 1990s.
Read what other economists have said:
- “….the prevailing practice of passing several Bills at the end of the day at the discretion of the executive branch, without discussion or actual voting, has to be simply abolished — except in an emergency — to enable Parliament to perform its assigned role under the Constitution.
- I believe that if the above measures are taken, or at least considered by Parliament, the working of Indian democracy by the people would become less oligarchic and more accountable.”
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