Report of the Expert Group on Diversity Index

he Expert Group has been formed to identify the areas of concern in the
context of unequal access of different segments of population to public
space and institutions, to propose an appropriate Diversity Index and work
out the modalities for implementation, of policies and programmes based
on the index. Although the task of the Sachar Committee was to evaluate
and enumerate the conditions of a specific minority group, the idea of a
diversity index is floated to operationalize a broader notion of diversity,
countering the tendencies of discrimination and deprivation in production,
distribution and social sectors in India. The need for such index stems from
the fact that there is definite evidence of community based discrimination and
deprivation in all social spheres. Understandably, the government in direct
or indirect command over some of these spheres should assume a proactive
role in containing these undesirable outcomes. The Sachar committee amply
demonstrates the case for the minorities, but in the process also reflects on
the conditions of somewhat more disadvantaged groups such as the SCs
and STs. However, there are spheres and regions where the minorities lag
behind the SCs and STs in terms of basic attainments.
A significant point made in the World Development Report 2006 (Equity
and Development) that disparities arise among different sections of a society
due to various factors such as caste, gender, schooling, work/occupation
and sources of income generation. As regards schooling, various forms of
discrimination that are practised are highlighted. A matter of serious concern
is that teachers from upper caste often look down upon students from lower
castes goading them incipiently to absent themselves. Also, “The perceived
value of female education is quite different from that of boys, because girls
are expected to spend most of their adult life in domestic work” (p.27).
While over the years, the importance of education has been understood,
access to schooling is still uneven and unfairly tilted against the Muslims,
lower castes and women.
“Inequality traps” prevent the marginalised and work in favour of the
dominant group in a society. Political system does not assign equal
preference to all of them. Furthermore, policies and institutions are the
outcomes of the process of political economy in which different groups
endeavour to make an impact through political mobilisation and seek to
protect their own interests. In all this, those that have more power tend to
corner a disproportionate share of the benefits.
Understandably, the political, economic and sociocultural inequalities move
in coherence to shape the outcomes for a specific institution. Also, the
way these institutions function would affect people's opportunities and
their ability to invest and prosper. Unequal economic opportunities lead to
unequal outcomes which in turn lead to unequal access to
political power.
nature and functioning of the institutions and their policies. All these result
This creates a vicious circle since unequal power structure determines the
in persistence of initial conditions.
The Sachar Committee had recommended that the idea of providing certain
incentives linked to a diversity index’ should be explored in an attempt to
make a departure from the business as usual scenario in a significant manner.
Admittedly, this is a complex proposition. However, if a transparent and
acceptable method to measure diversity can be dexcloped, a wide variety of
socia
housing. The diversity principle which entails equity is to be applied not only
groups in the areas of education, government and private employment and
between the majority and minorities but also in between minorities so that
the truly disadvantaged can stand to benefit.
Given an acceptable diversity index, policies can provide for:
Incentives in the form of larger grants to those educational institutions that have
higher diversity and are able to sustain it over time. These incentives can apply
to both colleges and universities, both in public and private sector.
Incentives to provide the public and private sector enterprises and institutions
to encourage diversity in their work force. While such initiatives should be
part of the corporate social responsibility, some affirmative action
help initiate this
process.
.
may
Incentives to builders for housing complexes that have more diverse' resident
populations to promote "composite living spaces' for 'socioreligious communities'.
The Expert Group holds the view that all these would help in initiating a
new process and trend in the country. Ultimately, the idea of diversity must
take root in the minds of the decision makers at all levels. That alone can
erase out the deeply entrenched prejudices and result in elimination of all
discriminatory practices.
This new approach must gradually take the shape of a social movement and
transform the society. It should go beyond creating socially well represented
opportunity spaces in various forms of public and private life and make
India's enormous diversity and its social manifestations a matter of pride
rather than a source of problem and turmoil.