Benefits of growing economy must reach rural areas

Ahmedabad In a five-page concept note that will be further expanded and which is expected to guide the government policy during the 12th Five-Year Plan for the state, 10 senior academics have pointed out the areas of concern in rural parts of Gujarat. They have put forward a proposal before the state.

The paper is a result of a meeting chaired by IRMA chairman Professor Y K Alagh on the request of the state Rural Development Department, from which a larger, more extensive paper is expected from the group this month. The academics note that approach to rural development essentially needs to “weave various schemes” of the government in a manner that benefits of Gujarat’s fast growing economy “accrue to the rural and disadvantaged sections and backward areas”.

Broadly, the concept note has looked at urbanisation, agriculture, environment, education and health.

Urbanisation

The note says there has been a major underestimation of the state’s urbanisation after the 2001 Census, when a working group had projected that 2.4 crore people would move into urban areas. It was later found that about 2.57 crore people had actually moved in. It also points out that most cities’ outskirts are “marred by backwardness of social amenities”, and that job creation in towns and cities need to accommodate the ever-increasing migration from agriculture.

Agriculture

Taking cognisance of the agriculture sector’s leaning towards horticulture, dairy and fisheries, the academics suggest that this trend “requires greater attention on transportation and storage facilities for the producers”, particularly first-stage processing infrastructure. They suggest that agro-technology be boosted. They have expressed concern that despite an increase in foodgrain acreage, “wheat and paddy prices in Gujarat are the lowest in India at harvest”.

Environment

The academics point out that land-use changes and misuse of land and water resources could heighten chances of ecological and man-made disasters. “Stringent and transparent enforcement of environmental regulations is essential to ward off impending environmental crisis that the state it facing,” they warn.

Education and health

In terms of social sectors, quality of education and health delivery systems in the rural areas leaves a lot to be desired, the academics note while pointing out that drop-out rates in elementary schools is “high across the state”. The quality of education in government and private systems is “widely disparate” and “Special focus is also desired on education for migrant workers and pastoral nomads,” they point out.

Health matters need to be studied carefully, they suggest, keeping in mind structural backwardness and economic and social inequalities and large migrations in the state. “The declining sex-ratio in 0-6 age group is a warning call,” they say.

Rural-urban continuum

They suggest that roads and power lines need to link villages and towns with the urban areas to create a continuum. Education in the rural areas should focus on demand-based vocational training.