Report of the Expert Group on Diversity Index
- New Delhi The Author 2008
- 64p.
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.