QUES . Despite consistent experience of High growth, India still goes with the lowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that make balanced and inclusive development elusive. UPSC 2019 GS MAINS PAPER 2. 150 words. 10 Marks

HINTS:

There are two reports given below:

1 . India is set to become the third-largest economy by 2030 and is expected to be the fastest growing major economy in the next three years, S&P Global Ratings said in its report ‘Global Credit Outlook 2024: New Risks, New Playbook’ released recently.

2 . In Human Development Report of 2021-22, India ranks 132 out of 191 countries, behind Bangladesh (129) and Sri Lanka (73). India’s Human Development Index (HDI) value stood at 633 in 2021, which was lower than the world average of 0.732. India was behind the world averages in 2021 on all the four parameters of HDI. (Life expectancy at birth ; Expected years of schooling ; Mean years of schooling and
Gross national income per capita).

The above two reports tell a lot about the growth story of India in which human development failed to keep pace with economic development.

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Why human development parameters are lagging behind economic development?

֍ We initially focussed on GDP growth post-independence with the presumption of the trickle-down theory. But the corruption and time it took to reach the last man was so big. It resulted in poor human development. We complemented the macro approach with the HDI based micro approach only since the 10th five-year plan.

֍ Government expenditure on health and education stands at around 2.1% and 2.9% of GDP which is very low as compared to developed nations. Health being an integral part of human development was given less importance. Also lack of quality education, inadequate infrastructure, gender gap, etc. have led to low human development in terms of education. Thus, despite near-universal enrolment in primary education, learning outcomes are dismal as reflected in the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) Report.

֍ There has been inadequate investment in skill development and vocational training programs, leading to a skills gap and reduced employability for many Indians. Also, over 90 % of workers remain informally employed while contributing to about half of GDP. However, they are deprived of social security benefits limiting their ability to access quality services.

֍ Until recently, we have continued to focus exclusively on a BPL line approach to identify beneficiaries for many welfare schemes. This threshold has been kept quite low excluding many deserving beneficiaries. Suresh Tendulkar committee identified 21.9% of the population as poor in 2011 compared to the Socioeconomic caste census 2011 identifying 60% of rural and 35% of urban households as poor.

֍ Gender disparities persist in India, affecting women’s access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Gender-based discrimination and cultural norms continue to hinder development of women.

֍ Income is considered as a proxy for command over resources since access to health and education with other capabilities depends on income. If the poor earn even marginally above the poverty line they are excluded from beneficiary lists under many government schemes. This means out of pocket expenditure often increases much more than the income, reducing the total consumption capacity on nutrition. Thereby, while between 2004-05 to 2019- 20, 41.5 crore people came out of poverty in India, malnutrition levels increased in the same time period.

֍ India’s caste and communal differences have not led to proper social cohesion which is required for all sections of the society to progress and has restricted opportunities and access to resources for marginalized communities. According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) key health indicators such as IMR and child mortality rates among SC/ST communities are much higher than the national average.

֍ The urban-rural divide has also led to low human development in the rural areas. Cities are the centres of economic growth with a 60% contribution to Indian GDP. However, rural India, home to about 70% of the population, has lagged behind in growth and access to essential services.

֍ Rapid population growth in India strains resources and makes it challenging to improve human development indicators.

Measures to increase the pace of human development

֍ Investments in social infrastructure such as healthcare, education and skill development.

֍ Improve access to quality social services.

֍ Strengthen institutions, reduce corruption, and ensure transparency in government programs.

֍ Implement progressive tax policies and social safety nets to reduce income disparities.

֍ Creating job opportunities and promoting fair wages, especially for low-skilled and informal workers.

Thus, synchronizing economic growth with human development is a need of the hour. The success of India’s national development schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat, Make in India, and initiatives aimed at universalizing school education and health care, will be crucial in ensuring that the upward trend on human development accelerates and India achieves the key principles of the Sustainable Development Goals so that no one is left behind.

External link: https://www.undp.org/india/human-development-index-india