Development planning and structural inequalities: the response of the underprivileged

Development planning in India is primarily aimed at bringing about a transformation of society in keeping with democratic goals. In practice, it has focused on economic development and the results and achievements of planning are measured largely in terms of economic growth.

This significant study concentrates on the neg. lected but crucial goal of planning-namely, the transformation of society and examines the impact of economic development on the social structure. Prof. D'Souza challenges the assump tion implicit in Indian planning that economic growth, in the framework of modernization, can result in a democratic transformation of society, He contends that the social structure has a reality of its own and, unless manipulated directly, has the capacity to channel economic changes accord ing to existing patterns.

In support of his premise, the author analyses in detail the growth and development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, two of the most underprivileged sections of Indian society, over a twenty year period. Prof. D'Souza considers the major indicators of modernization - literacy, urbanization and non-agricultural occupations. He presents his analysis at two levels: first, by treating the country as a whole as the universe and the states as the units; and, second, by regarding the states as the universe and the districts as the units.

Prof. D'Souza's conclusions are that the findings at the two levels are mutually reinforcing. Further, that whereas economic development has generated a certain amount of trickle-down effect, the development of the underprivileged, which has to do with social transformation, is primarily influenced by structural factors. The result has been a further distortion of the social structure, which has also exacerbated the inequities and tensions in Indian society. The author concludes that the only way to bring about social transformation is by restructuring the planning process in a suitable manner.

Interdisciplinary in nature, rich in theoretical insights and empirical evidence, this important book will appeal to a wide range of people: sociologists, economists, planners, policy-makers and all those interested in the development process.