Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
- Define inclusive growth and its significance in the Indian context.
- Briefly mention the current state of inclusive growth in India, highlighting disparities since 1991.
2. Challenges for Inclusive Growth
- Poverty and Low Human Development
- Explain how poverty hampers human development and increases vulnerability.
- Fact: Poor people lack the capability and resources, leading to governance failures.
- Careless and Useless Manpower
- Discuss the issues of underemployment and disguised unemployment, particularly in agriculture.
- Fact: Many individuals are either underemployed or not effectively utilized due to a lack of high-wage jobs.
- Lack of Education and Skill Development
- Emphasize the inadequacies in education and skill training.
- Fact: Underemployment is exacerbated by poor education and skill sets.
- Infrastructure Deficits
- Highlight the lack of social and physical infrastructure, especially in backward regions.
- Governance Deficits
- Discuss the challenges of governance, particularly in less developed areas.
3. Measures to Address These Challenges
- Investment in Social Infrastructure
- Stress the need for increased investment in education, health, and skill development.
- Improving Health Infrastructure
- Explain how better health services can enhance intellectual development.
- Fact: Poor health is linked to poor intellectual development.
- Integrating Skill Education in Curriculum
- Recommend making skill education a core part of the school curriculum.
- Promoting Digital Literacy
- Discuss the importance of enhancing digital literacy to tap into modern opportunities.
- Utilization of Existing Government Programs
- Highlight programs like Digital India, Skill India, and Right to Education as crucial steps toward improving human capital.
4. Conclusion
- Summarize the importance of addressing challenges related to manpower for achieving inclusive growth.
- Reinforce the need for proactive government measures to facilitate all-round growth.
Challenges for Inclusive Growth: Careless and Useless Manpower
1. Inefficient Utilization of Manpower: In India, a significant portion of the workforce is engaged in low-productivity sectors. This includes underemployed individuals in agriculture and informal sectors where their skills are not fully utilized. For instance, the agricultural sector employs over 50% of the workforce but contributes only about 18% to the GDP, indicating low productivity and inefficient use of manpower.
2. Skills Mismatch and Lack of Education: Many workers possess inadequate skills for the modern job market. The skill gap is prevalent, with a large segment of the labor force lacking technical and vocational training. For example, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) reports that many graduates are not industry-ready, leading to a high rate of unemployment among educated youth.
3. Informal Sector and Job Security: A large part of the workforce operates in the informal sector, which often lacks job security and benefits. Workers in this sector face issues like low wages, unsafe working conditions, and no social security. Recent reports show that approximately 90% of India’s workforce is employed in the informal sector, making them vulnerable.
Measures to Address These Challenges:
1. Skill Development and Education: Enhancing vocational training and skill development programs is essential. Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) aim to improve employability by providing industry-relevant training. Increasing investment in education and training can bridge the skills gap and prepare the workforce for the evolving job market.
2. Promoting Formal Employment: Encouraging formalization of the informal sector through policies that provide social security and job benefits can improve job quality. Schemes like Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees State Insurance (ESI) need to be extended and enforced more rigorously.
3. Enhancing Productivity: Investing in technology and infrastructure to boost productivity in sectors like agriculture can help in better utilization of manpower. Programs like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) focus on improving agricultural productivity through better irrigation and technology.
4. Encouraging Entrepreneurship: Supporting entrepreneurship through initiatives like Startup India can create new job opportunities and reduce dependency on traditional sectors. Providing financial incentives and mentorship can encourage young entrepreneurs to venture into new industries.
Conclusion: Addressing the challenges of careless and useless manpower involves improving skills, promoting formal employment, enhancing productivity, and supporting entrepreneurship. By implementing these measures, India can move towards more inclusive growth and effectively utilize its manpower for economic development.
Model Answer
Introduction
Inclusive growth in India has remained a challenge despite government efforts. Since the economic reforms of 1991, while prosperity has increased, so have disparities. Wealth has concentrated in already developed regions, widening inequalities and leaving behind poorer areas. This situation calls for an examination of the challenges posed by careless and ineffective manpower.
Major Challenges for Inclusive Growth
Measures to Address These Challenges
Conclusion
The careless and ineffective deployment of manpower has hindered both individual potential and India’s economic growth. Proactive measures by the government, including the implementation of programs like Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, can facilitate inclusive growth and unlock the country’s true potential.