Mentor’s Comment:

Mention about India’s economical development linked with social enhancements. Bring evidence of the distribution of benefits have not been equitable and the possible reasons for the same. The reason is equally important here.

Mention the problems in governance system and ethical crisis in serving people. Conclude with some positive measures taken by the government in this regard.

Model Answer:

• The 67 years of Indian independence have seen many changes in the socio-economic landscape of Asia’s third largest economy.
• During the decades that followed the colonial rule, India’s economy in absolute terms, has expanded to Rs. 57 lakh crore from mere Rs. 2.7 lakh crore and the nation’s foreign exchange reserves have crossed $ 400 billion, giving the economy firepower to fight external shocks.
• However, despite increased national wealth, the distribution of befits have not been equitable. Growth coupled with poor redistribution had lead to the creation of islands of prosperity in a sea of poverty. The consequent inequalities are due to the following ethical crisis:
• After independence, the Zamindari system, poor land holdings, improper land reform, and poor government policies towards people centric led to unequal distribution of wealth.
• Government’s behaviour: Lack of people centric approach and dearth of requisite capabilities to provide good governance. Moreover, the inclination towards power, fame and money has led to the changing perspective of leadership away from the service of masses.
• There are implementation bottlenecks in various government policies and programmes. Corruption, red-tapism, inefficient bureaucracy etc. have further contributed into this. Moreover, citizens’ ignorance/unawareness of their rights have not been able to hold government accountable for rising economic inequality.
• Crony capitalism and nepotism often associated with bureaucracy have lead to economic inequality. They reduced the available opportunities of growth to a few who kept amassing wealth leaving others with low growth prospects. India has seen highest growth in number of millionaires even when the country houses highest number of under nourished and uneducated in the world.
• However, in order to reduce inequality, the government has taken several steps like inclusive growth as a core component of planning, slogans like sabka saath sabka vikas, CSR funding by private sector, decentralization and more devolution of power to them etc. are some of the examples in this regard.