Uttar Pradesh Social Watch Report 2008

 West Bengal Social Watch Report 2009

 Madhya Pradesh Social Watch Report 2009

Andhra Pradesh Social Watch Report 2007

 1996- Productive Employment and Sustainable Livelihood

 1997- Anemic Elephant

 1998- Land of Contradictions

2001- Withering the Welfare State

While official figures give credence to the claim that “economic growth necessarily leads to poverty reduction”, a careful look at them tells a different story about the impact of structural adjustment and liberalisation. After a decade of liberalisation, the promise of ‘economic growth with justice’ seems eternally postponed.

2002- Growth Without Development

The performance of the economy, the increasing gap between the goal of macroeconomic development and social development and the complete lack of political will and economic agenda for long-term social development show how the rhetoric belies reality. Growth without development will deepen inequality and have dangerous socio-political consequences that could undermine the very essence of freedom and democracy.

 2003- Erosion of Rights and Marketisation of Development

The national development paradigm is a paradox. On the one hand, there is a professed commitment to meeting the Millennium Development Goals by respecting, protecting and fulfilling economic, social and cultural rights. On the other hand, there is clear policy prioritisation towards privatisation of services that affect the basic rights of the most marginalised, such as education, health, water and food distribution. In contrast with the «the language of rights», policy prescriptions push basic services away from the responsibilities and obligations of the State.

2004- Neglected by the State

The paradox embedded in the Indian development model: on the one hand increasing mobilisation of civil society groups and attempts at empowering the marginalised at various levels with seemingly positive influences on policy pronouncements, while on the other, withdrawal of the State from its essential roles and functions especially in its constitutionally mandated function of ensuring social equity. The results are appalling, particularly regarding human security. Deprivation and increased repression of marginalised groups have led to communities being pitted against each other.

2005- The Accumulated Effects of Inequality

Discrimination against women from or even before birth guarantees them a marginal role in Indian society, and ensures that they are poorer, less educated, and facing more unemployment and health risks than men. The cumulative effects of these inequalities worsen deprivation but the opposite is also true and by addressing inequality a positive multiplier effect can reduce poverty.

 2006- Balancing Goals, Commitments and Means

The Indian Government is faced with a delicate balancing act as it strives to reconcile its commitment to a neo-liberal economic policy of fiscal prudence with ambitious commitments to social development. This challenge is further complicated by the leakages and corruption that act as a drain on already insufficient social expenditure.

 2007 Macroeconomic Growth, Challenging Realities

In this phase of impressive macroeconomic growth, there is a clear need for renewed political and policy emphasis on reinforcing existing social security schemes, as well as developing new initiatives to keep up with the ever evolving socioeconomic and demographic realities of the country, such as its ageing population. While proposed legislation to protect the informal sector is a positive step, much more is needed to ensure an effective safety net for the vulnerable and marginalized.

2008 Rights, Commitments and Delivery

Government commitments to the right to justice, equality and liberty enshrined in the Constitution are laudable but not sufficient. They must be put into practice. The State faces a major challenge in formulating and implementing public policies that promote the accessibility, affordability and availability (the three A’s) of basic social services to tens of millions of citizens still living below the poverty line (28% of the total population). Civil society campaigns are stepping in to ensure that promises to guarantee rights are actually fulfilled.

 2009- Breaks in the Road and Missed Milestones

Although several indicators show that India’s situation is not among the worst, many sectors have declined due to the downturn in the global economy while others have not been able to regain or maintain their growth trends. Thus, for instance, there has been drastically reduced growth in personal and consumer loans and industrial production. Inflation, increasing unemployment and decline in foreign institutional investment are some additional impacts. The Government must find a balance between economic reforms to stimulate growth and the necessary relief for 250 million Indians living in extreme poverty.

 Citizens’ Report on Governance and Development 2008–09

Social Watch Perspective Paper 2

Citizens Report on Governance and Development 2007

 Citizens Report on Governance and Development 2006

Citizens Report on Governance and Development 2004

Citizens Report on Governance and Development 2003