lannin in ndia 5.39
comes from a government that has been battling the society. It means, the growth process during
a spate of corruption scandals—ranging from those reforms was not able to include a big segment
in the telecom sector to Commonwealth Games of the Indian population. In this backdrop, we
and criticism over poor governance standards and see the government adopting a conscious policy
inability to push through critical decisions.101 towards ‘inclusive growth’. Even before reforms
The Economic Survey 2012–13 suggested a commenced in the country, this element was
new objective for the Planning Commission— lacking. But during reforms it became more
the global economic and financial crisis which glaring due to the higher pace of growth which the
has persisted for the last five years has not only economy attained during this period. Though the
exposed the vulnerability of almost all the government started attending to this issue since
countries over the globe to external shocks, but 2000–01 itself, it was given real attention in the
also has lessons for the planning process, viz., 11th Plan (2007–12), where we see a clear policy
countries need to have inbuilt social safety nets evolving towards the idea of inclusive growth in
for facing such eventualities, which affect the the country—‘including the disadvantaged and
weak and vulnerable the most, and wipe out the marginalised sections of the society, specially,
fruits of growth for years. India with its focus on SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities and Women’ in the
inclusive development and timely interventions processes of growth and development. By the 12th
has, however, been able to weather the crisis better Plan (2012–17), the focus increased when we see
than many other countries.102 the issue of inclusiveness entering into the very
slogan of the Plan—‘Faster, Sustainable and More
IncLuSIVE GroWth Inclusive Growth’. During the course of time, we
see the government evolving a clear short-term and
Inclusive growth is a growth process which long-term policy towards the cause of inclusive
yields broad-based benefits and ensures equality growth.
of opportunity for all (UNDP and the 11th
Plan). Fundamentally, the ideas of growth and short-term Policy
development already include the element of
This policy is aimed at supplying those goods and
‘inclusiveness’ in them, but at times, due to
services to the disadvantaged and marginalised
certain reasons, the processes might occur in non-
sections of society which are bare minimum and
inclusive manner.
are essential in nature. Several Central Sector
It was in 2000–01 that the Government of Schemes and Centrally Sponsored Schemes are
India came to think clearly about ‘inclusiveness’ run by the governments for this purpose. This
in the economy, while reviewing the performance policy touches the areas like:
of the economic reforms. It was found that the
Food and nutrition (Annapurna,
reform process enabled economy towards faster
Antodaya, Mid-Day Meal, and the last
and higher ‘wealth creation’, but all could not
being National Food Security Act, etc.);
be part of it. Only the people with resources
(physical or human) were able to get benefits out Healthcare and sanitation (National
of the reforming economy. It was assessed that Health Mission, Total Sanitation
the fruits of reforms could not percolate to the Campaign, ASHA, Mission
disadvantaged and marginalised sections of Indradhanush, and the last being Swachh
Bharat Abhiyan, etc.);
101. Economic Survey 2011-12, MoF, GoI, N. Delhi, p. 30. Housing (Indira Aawas Yojana, Rajiv
102. Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2012–13, p. 269.
Aawas Yojana, etc.);