(a) whether the Government proposes to relate economic growth rate with social
development in the country as reported in the Hindu, dated February 03, 2008;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the action proposed to be taken to continue relating economic growth rate with
social development?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING (SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN)
(a) to (c): The news item in the Hindu dated 3rd February 2008 quoting Thandika
Mkandawire Director of Geneva based U.N. Research Institute for Social
Development states that India has to relate economic growth rate with social
development. India’s development strategy traditionally recognizes the importance of
social development in the growth process. The Eleventh Plan has set the growth target
for the economy at 9% per year for the plan period (2007-12) and aims at putting the
economy on a sustainable growth trajectory with a growth of approximately 10% by
the end of its period. The target is not just faster growth but also inclusive growth, i.e.
a growth process which yields broad based benefits and ensures equality of
opportunity for all. This broad vision of the Eleventh Plan includes several inter
related components: rapid growth that reduces poverty and creates employment
opportunities, access to essential services in health and education especially for the
poor, equality of opportunity, empowerment through education and skill development,
employment opportunities underpinned by the National Rural Employment
Guarantee, environmental sustainability, recognition of women’s agency and good
governance. The vision of inclusiveness in the Eleventh Plan, therefore, encompass
equality of opportunity, as well as economic and social mobility for all sections of
society, with affirmative action for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, Other
Backward Classes (OBCs), minorities and women. For realizing this vision of
inclusivesness, the Eleventh Plan has not only set targets for the rate of growth of
GDP, but also set monitorable targets for other dimensions of performance such as, in
the area of poverty reduction, education, health, women and children issues,
infrastructure and environment.