Social inclusion is the process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups, which have been discriminated, deprived, segregated, isolated, ostracized and excommunicated in society by improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity. Since independence, the government has been formulating policies in tune with the constitutional mandate to channelize the process of social inclusion in the most effective manner. How far they succeed, is still a million dollar question!
Room For All: A Look at Public Policies to nurture Social Inclusion
The historical roots of the concept of social exclusion can be traced back to Aristotle. The contemporary notion of exclusion emerged in France in the 1970s, linked to a perceived breakdown in social cohesion following civil unrest in the late 1960s in the context of growing unemployment and socio-economic inequalities. Social exclusion refers to isolation, segregation, deprivation and involves discrimination against individuals and groups based on one or many different attributes of social identity including but not limited to social, religious, economic status etc.
Social inclusion can be considered as the process that encompasses the entire population to receive equal benefits and opportunities in individual modes of living. In a developing country like India, which is working towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals by combating the problems associated with unemployment, poverty, illiteracy and social exclusion; social exclusion is a major threat. For the developing countries, achieving the high inclusive and development growth with higher Human Development Index is a fundamental challenge.
A range of public policies have been developed by the Government of India to tackle social exclusion and for enhancing the scope of education, opportunity for government jobs and political inclusion, supported by necessary protective and promotional schemes and programmes. The government has also developed protective laws that addresses the problems of forced labour, child labour, preventing land alienation of tribal people and regulating the process of money lending. Some of the other affirmative actions taken for social inclusion encompass policies related to housing, land allotment, debt relief, education, self-governance arrangements for tribal population and also provisions for various scholarships and subsidies for the students belonging to disadvantaged, socially discriminated sections of the society.
However, social exclusion of some of the classes and groups remain a significant problem for the mainstream development in India and remain a major challenge even in 21st century. Social exclusion of Scheduled Tribes and Castes has resulted in political, economic and social disadvantages for this population. Thus policies like Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) for Scheduled Tribes, the Special Component Plan for Scheduled Castes (SCP for SCs), Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme for Minorities, and Gender Responsive Budgeting has been implemented.
The main aim of these policies is to focus on planning and budgeting to provide more responsive support to the vulnerable sections of the society. However, its efficiency and efficacy is questionable as we find that the problems of identity-based segregation, culture, ethnicity and religion-based differences and geographical isolation of some groups still exists, resulting in exclusion. The problem of access to limited financial resources, gender-based discrimination within these societies, poor social skills and family crises are other important issues that result in absolute social exclusion of these groups.
India is the country that has provided a significant example of long standing political, educational and economic willingness to identify various types of exclusionary practices and use the legislative and constitutional measures to deal with them. Dalit and Adivasi population of India had received the nominal protection under the Indian Constitution. For example, Article 16 (4) of Indian Constitution has enshrined the ‘Reservation Policy’ that informs about the reservations provided to Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes and Other backward classes in context of higher education and employment. Constitution provides reservation to all the socially disadvantaged classes in government jobs (central and state) in order to enhance their representation in administrative, economic and educational system.
Chronic poverty, youth unemployment (also underemployment) are major problems in India that also leads to social exclusion of people.
However, it may be said that the government of India and the civil society organisations have started focusing on developing and implementing the policies and programs that could be effective in addressing the issue of marginality. For handling the urban poverty issues, Government of India has developed policies such as, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), launched by the UPA Government in 2005; Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart Cities Mission and Housing schemes for various groups initiated by the present Centre. JNNURM had focused on budgetary priorities for urban poor in general and slum children in particular. However, high tax rates, and poor access to employment opportunities remain significant problems of many marginal groups in society. Therefore generation of decent jobs mainly focused on fostering inclusive development is important.
Generally, the disadvantaged social groups and communities are often left out by the registered financial institutions in context of enhancing their participation in the economic system, providing them loans to enhance their working abilities and building a strong credit delivery mechanism for such groups. Despite that, , programs to support education, employment and scholarships of Scheduled Castes, such as National Fellowship for Schedule caste Students, Self-employment scheme, Venture Capital fund and also Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana has been launched. There are some important social inclusion provisions for Scheduled tribes also which includes equality of opportunity in public employment, Promotion of Education (including various schemes offered to the ST students at par with SC students) and various policies promoting as well as safeguarding their economic interests etc.
However, when we look at the broader spectrum we are compelled to see the stark naked contradictions. Dalits and Tribals are still discriminated. Racial, Religious, Gender biasness is still rampant. The principle of inclusion has been conveniently interpreted as ‘political assimilation’ where independent voices are disappearing. In this broader context the question as to the success of the “Inclusion Policy” needs to be examined.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Noyingbeni T. Erui, Meren and Kvulo Lorin.
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