It seems we are constantly grappling with a duality in India: the narrative of incredible progress on one hand, and the persistent, often stark, realities of deeply entrenched challenges on the other. I've been reflecting on this quite a bit, especially when I see headlines about the monitoring of crucial social welfare schemes being compromised, alongside discussions about poverty reduction and the unfortunate displacement of vulnerable communities. These stories, taken together, paint a complex picture of our nation's journey.
Take, for instance, the recent news about the mobile monitoring system for MGNREGS being fudged by certain states. This is disheartening, to say the least. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is a lifeline for millions, designed to provide a safety net and inject much-needed funds into rural economies. When such a system, intended to bring transparency and accountability through technology, is circumvented, it speaks volumes about the enduring human element of corruption and the challenges in implementing even well-intentioned policies. It reminds me of my earlier thoughts on the need for robust e-governance, which I discussed in "E Governance" back in 2014. The suggestion was simple: leveraging technology could streamline processes and reduce opacity. Seeing how things have unfolded today, it’s striking how relevant that earlier insight still is—the technology itself isn't enough; the human commitment to integrity must match it.
This concern for genuine impact extends to how we measure poverty itself. We read about "15 years of Poverty Change in India" and observe significant shifts in certain regions. While any reduction in poverty is commendable, I find myself recalling my earlier observations from 2011 in "Poverty Declines" and "Unequal Amongst Equal?". I questioned then, as I do now, the very criteria used to define who is 'below the poverty line'. If the benchmark for daily expenditure is so low that it can be met by the cost of merely four cups of tea, as I once highlighted, then the reported 'decline' needs to be viewed with a critical eye. True progress isn't just about shifting lines on a graph; it's about a tangible improvement in the quality of life for every individual. It's about ensuring that the benefits of schemes like MGNREGS actually reach those for whom they are intended, without being siphoned off or manipulated.
Perhaps most troubling is the news from Assam, where the Congress has slammed the government over tribal evictions and corporate bias. This resonates deeply with an issue I've passionately addressed for years: the delicate balance between industrial development and the fundamental rights of communities, especially those indigenous to the land. The accusation that the slogan of 'Jati-Mati-Bheti' (community, home, and hearth) has shifted to serve corporate interests like Adani, Ambani, and Ramdev is a powerful one. It highlights a recurring conflict where vulnerable populations are displaced, and their land is taken for development projects without adequate, or truly equitable, compensation.
This exact predicament is why, in 2015, I proposed the "Farmers Land Ownership Bill", suggesting a model of "Cooperative Ownership" rather than outright acquisition. My idea was that farmers, instead of being simply compensated and dispossessed, could become equity and profit partners in development projects on their land. This would ensure not only immediate attractive compensation but also recurring income and a continued sense of ownership, preventing the loss of benefit from future land appreciation. Similarly, in "Who gets how many sq ft area", I advocated for judicial intervention to ensure that no hutments or slums built by "VERY POOR people" are razed before providing them with proper, permanent alternate accommodation, not just temporary transit camps. Now, seeing these evictions unfold, it's striking how relevant those earlier insights still are. Had such approaches been adopted, perhaps the trauma of displacement, the loss of livelihoods, and the erosion of community spirit could have been mitigated.
The challenge lies in ensuring that India's undeniable economic growth, as envisioned in statements like my blog post "World Factory" which builds on the idea of India becoming a human resource capital, doesn't come at the cost of social justice. The strength of our nation comes not just from economic indicators, but from the well-being and dignity of all its citizens. We must ensure that the benefits of development are shared equitably and that the most vulnerable are protected, their voices heard, and their rights upheld. The issues surrounding MGNREGS monitoring and tribal land rights are not isolated incidents; they are vital indicators of how well our governance structures truly serve the common good.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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