NATIONAL SEMINAR ON Inclusive Growth and Social Tensions 6th – 7th October, 2010 At Andhra University

NATIONAL SEMINAR ON Inclusive Growth and Social Tensions 6th – 7th October, 2010 At Andhra University

INTRODUCTION:

Indian development planning started with a strategy to bring the marginalized groups in to the mainstream. There were several strategies like the growth with justice, poverty alleviation etc. followed in each five year plan to achieve a balanced development. But the economic liberalization followed in the year 1991 had brought several changes in the
structure of the economy as well as in the social set up. It was noticed before the 11th plan that there were several divides that were making the society vertically and horizontally divided. Therefore, the eleventh plan has followed a very
innovative strategy of bringing these marginalized sections into the development process. The strategy was considered and declared as “Towards a faster Inclusive Growth”. This is different from earlier ones. It is almost at the end of the plan period the planning commission has made mid term appraisal about the progress made in this strategy. It is in the
back drop of these developments, we thought of organizing a national seminar on INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND SOCIAL TENSIONS.
India is a typical country known for its diversity and pluralism. Therefore, any strategy to bring inclusion will have far reaching implications for the traditions and structures of the country. The issue of caste and the related problems of inequality, discrimination, regional imbalances etc. are considered as impediments for inclusive growth. The strategies of the government have created several tensions in the society not only at the national and state levels but also at the local levels. It is seen that the government policy of 27 per cent reservations for OBCs was resisted with lot of struggles and social mobilizations. The regional inequalities have created tensions in Andhra Pradesh. These developments have not been studied by the government agencies before introducing the inclusive strategies. It is time that the issues that
came up in the way of implementation of the inclusive strategies and the following advances need to be discussed.
Economic development in a country must be evaluated by its contribution to the enhancement of the quality of life of its people. Economic development may become lopsided and flawed unless the governments can take corrective
actions. Lopsided and flawed economic growth in the sense means that it is jobless, ruthless, voiceless, rootless and futureless. To avoid these pitfalls strong links between economic growth and social institutions are important to be
linked. It is necessary that new institutional structures are created to provide opportunities as remunerative employment to its people, equitable distribution of income and economic opportunities, access to productive assets, investment in the education, health and skills of the people and providing basic services to all. Apart from all these, good governance at the
political level influences more and strengthened this link.
Human development is one of the measures to estimate the process of inclusion. The two-way relationship between economic growth and human development suggested that nations may entered either into a virtuous cycle of high growth and large gains in human development, or a vicious cycle of low growth and low rates of human development improvement. The existence and persistence of these cycles depends on the strengths of the linkages between economic growth and human development. Countries may also find themselves in a lop-sided state, at least temporarily, with relatively good growth and relatively poor human development, or vice versa.
If human development improvements are indeed a precondition for sustainable economic growth, government policy and public funding may be necessary to move a nation above the human development threshold level. Nations stuck in vicious cycles, or low human development poverty traps may need targeted government investments in the areas of social sector such as schools, hospitals etc. to meet the fixed costs of human development improvements that will later lead to economic growth.
Good education and health not only have intrinsic value for people’s well-being but also contributes to economic growth and raises poor people’s incomes. This is illustrated with an example in HDR 2009. The HDR has produced data that how and why people migrate across the regions and countries. The average growth in per capita incomes in several developing countries between 1965 and 2005 had revealed that in those countries where infant mortality rate is low recorded considerable improvement in income irrespective of their income group. In countries where infant mortality rates are high accounted for less increase in income though they belong to high income group. The regions that are underdeveloped in terms of low HDI are marginalized and agitating for inclusive growth either with in the state or in a separate block or a separate region.
In India certain communities like Scheduled Caste, Scheduled tribes, Backward Classes and other religious minorities experience systematic exclusion with respect to the advantages of development. Social hierarchy of traditional Social system in India exhibits social discrimination and inequality between the highest and lowest castes. Lot of social gulf prevails between high castes and weaker sections. In Indian society, ‘social exclusion’ is based on caste and patriarchy. Social exclusion or social discrimination is also observed on the basis of ethnicity, gender and religion. Consequently some communities remained socially and economically backward due to the ethnic and caste based social discrimination, untouchability and lack of adequate participation in the process of socio-economic development. Success has not been achieved at desirable level to overcome socio-economic backwardness of these deprived and marginalized communities.
The development programmes initiated by state have started breaking certain institutional structures which are traditionally well entrenched and any further infringement would create tensions in the society at the gross roots. It has also created tensions like inter group rivalry for patronage like that of the Gujjarmeena tensions in Rajasthan and Andhra,
Telangana and Vidarbha regional tensions etc. The Inclusive strategy has also increased the political aspirations of women to enter into parliamentary process. This has also created tensions. The already existing inclusive policy of women reservation in Panchayat Raj has created some tensions. We have to understand the gains and losses in these policy changes.

OBJECTIVES:

The following are the specific objectives of the seminar.

1. To examine how inclusive growth is building bridges or creating tensions between groups and regions.
2. To examine the various social problems of SCs, STs, OBCs, Women and Religious minorities during the implementation of
inclusive policies.
3. To assess the impact of inclusive policies. on women empowerment
4. To examine the hurdles that are coming in the way of inclusive growth.
5. To evolve certain strategies to formulate inclusive policies for the upliftment of weaker sections.

MAIN THEMES:

The following areas will be the main themes for this seminar on ‘Inclusive growth and social tensions’.

1. Inclusive growth strategies and 11th plan.
2. Weaker sections and Reservations.
3. Economic Growth and Social Exclusion.
4. Political economy of underdevelopment.
5. Women empowerment.
6. Inclusive growth and Regional Imbalances.
7. Right to Education as inclusive policy.
8. Inclusive Health Strategies, and
9. Empowerment of the Differently Abled.

ABSTRACTS AND FULL PAPERS:

Papers not exceeding 15 pages along with an abstract of not more than 500 words may be submitted in hard and soft copy form to Prof. D. Pulla Rao, Seminar Convener, National Seminar, Department of Economics, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam – 530 003. The last date for receipt of abstract is 20th September, 2010 and that of full-length paper is 30th September, 2010.

PLACE AND LOCATION:

Visakhapatnam city is a beautiful coastal city well connected by air, rail and road from different parts of the country. The Department of Economics has completed its platinum jubilee recently and known throughout the World for its teaching and research.

REGISTRATION FEE:

No Registration Fee

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION:

Sleeper class train fare will be given to participants whose paper is accepted for presentation. Moderate accommodation and local hospitality will be provided to outstation participants.

VENUE:

Seminar Hall (A.C), School of Economics, Andhra University Campus, Visakhapatnam.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Prof. D. Pulla Rao,
Seminar Convener, Department of Economics,
Andhra University,
Visakhapatnam – 530 003,
Andhra Pradesh
Tel. (O) 0891 – 2844302
(R) 0891 – 2573610
E-Mail: pullaraod_2003@yahoo.co.in

Organised by:

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS ANDHRA UNIVERSITY
VISAKHAPATNAM-530003
ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

for more info visit.
http://www.enjineer.com