National Seminar On POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA Dated on February, 2016

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1 National Seminar On POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA Dated on February, 2016 Organized by DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Lucknow Sponsored by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University) & Indian Council for Social Science Research, New Delhi

2 National Seminar on Politics of Development in India About the University Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University was established in Lucknow in 1996 as a Central University (By an Act of Parliament 1994) with the objectives of promoting advance knowledge by instructional and research facilities in science and social sciences. This University is the Post- Graduate and research University & the main objectives of this University are to promote professional studies, inter-disciplinary studies, and research and development activities. With the above objectives, the University has started its academic programmes which have employment potential and relevant for the development of Indian Society. Concept Note After independence the biggest challenge before India was to usher into the era of progress and prosperity. India as a newly independent country, in the beginning preferred socialist policies to address its economic predicaments. In view of mass poverty, illiteracy and ignorance of the people, the appeal of socialist ideals was very much imminent at this point to go for a socialist economy as a model of development in the country. The strategy of economic development which India adopted meant direct participation of government in economic activities and regulation of private sector economic activities through a complex system of controls called Licence Raj. Over the years, India created a large number of government institutions to meet the objectives of growth with equity. The size of the government also grew substantially as it played an increasingly larger role in the economy in areas such as investment, production, retailing, and regulation of private sectors. Over the years India came up with the measures to assist socially and educationally disadvantaged sections that helped to contain the social cleavages in society. However, the basic problems that confronted India in the first decade of its independence continue unabated and draw worldwide attention today also. It reminds of Jawaharlal Nehru s tryst with destiny speech which mentioned, The service of India means the service of millions who suffer. It means ending poverty, ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity. At a later stage Indira Gandhi raised the slogan of Garibi Hatao which she wanted to achieve through her 20- point programme. The tryst with destiny speech made by Nehru and the slogan of Garibi Hatao by Indira Gandhi best reflects the challenges of independent India. But the absence of strong political will and the characteristics of soft state as aptly described by Gunnar Myrdal still plague the development in India.

3 In 1991 India adopted a new model of development necessitating economic reform through comprehensive structural adjustment programme. Catching up with the global trend, now the focus has shifted from state to market and private sectors. Role of market and private sector is considered to be crucial for economic growth and development. But it has numerous socio-economic implications. The decades ahead since 1991 has witnessed massive growth of private sectors and rate of economic growth has also increased significantly which was once celebrated as Shining India at one point of time. In this process, many states of India have followed the path of market economy in varying degree. Chandra Babu Naidu followed a technocratic vision of development, while Narendra Modi in a similar way emphasised private-capitalist model of development in Gujarat. Kerala on the other hand has chosen the path of social democracy to address its socio-economic issues. In the last Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi highly cited the success of Gujarat model of development which helped him get his party an overwhelming peoples mandate. His present policies are guided by his version of global capitalism. Make in India, Smart cities, Digital India and so on are manifestation of this vision. On the contrary, budgetary expenditures on social sectors are being slashed. The model of development in place has of course led to a division among the economists, academicians and policy makers in the country. While Jadish Bhagawati and Arvind Panigariya defend growth model of development, Amartya Sen supports redistributive mechanism. Sen is arguing for the Kerala Model of development where investment in social sectors takes precedence, whereas Bhagawati is defending the Gujarat model that prioritises investment in physical infrastructure to create a conducive environment for business; investment in social development assumes secondary importance. The growth model of development has inherent tendency of concentration of national wealth in the hands of few people; it fares very badly in terms of distribution. India being a market economy also faces this dilemma. All market economies in the world and for that matter all rich democracies in the world, have failed to address the increasing gap between growth and redistribution leading to disparity and inequality in societies. Many states in India have high economic growth, but at the same time they have also high incidence of malnutrition, for example Gujarat with 47 per cent of malnourished children. The cream of economic growth has gone to the rich and rich regions; they have become richer, on the other hand there are people (marginalised sections of society) being deprived of basic amenities like drinking water, health care and education. Many states of India have also got attention because of their importance in electoral politics in the country. They have got generous funding and aid from the Centre.

4 There is no convergence between growth and redistribution in our country. Market economy may be good for growth, but the task of redistribution lies in the domain of state where the state has faltered. State must assume the task of redistribution and ensure the fruit of development reaches to the needy and deprived. But this is a challenging task. Biggest challenge is to address the basics problems of the people i.e., poverty, inequality and hunger to which the growth oriented economy has shown little concern. The seminar provides a platform to discuss and debate different models of development, their success and failures and the extent to which they are adaptable in India. It would also be interrogating the development models of past and present and political preferences for the same. Finally, the discussions would try to locate an alternative path of development that would prioritize human development and ensure justice and fairness without undermining the spirit and gusto of a freemarket economy necessary to withstand the pressures of global competition. Some of the pertinent questions and issues that the seminar would attempt to address are: 1. How political preferences shape developmental agendas from time to time? 2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of market-driven capitalist economy and the possible impact on human welfare? 3. To what extent the basic problems of the country being addressed since independence? 4. Do we need an alternative models of development that tends to prioritize human development by ensuring social justice, economic growth and delivery of better public service? Objectives of the Seminar The proposed National Seminar by Department of Political Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), attempts to: Provide a common platform to the academia, research scholars, students, and social activists to discuss and debate the various dimensions of the subject/topic Provide feedback and perspective to the government on the national policies for inclusive development in various socio-economic sectors like employment, poverty, health, education, industry, agriculture, and social justice Identifying weaknesses in the existing institutional arrangements that create hindrances for inclusive development and thereby suggesting alternative for effective public administration Discussing ways and means to improve the socio-economic lives of marginalized castes and communities particularly SCs, STs, minorities, women, children, senior citizens and the physically challenged Enhancing participation of people in the development process and exploring better possibilities for public accountability and transparency

5 Sub- themes Theorizing the idea of Development in the Indian Context Experimenting with Different Models of Development Dr. Ambedkar s Perspective on Development Globalization and the State Politics of Redistribution Political Economy of SEZs Agrarian Political Economy and Farmer s Struggles Technology, Development and its Socio-Political Implications (Discussions on E- Governance) Development and Displacement Civil Society and Public Action Food Security Sustainable Development Political Economy of Reforms in Indian States Growth vs Redistribution Sectoral Development (Health, education, etc) Ideology, Development and Political Parties Experiences of Development in Different States Model of Development: New and Old Social Exclusion, Marginalisation and Development Public Policy, Affirmative Action and Development Inter-Regional Disparity and Development

6 Abstract and Paper Submission Details Papers on the aforesaid sub-themes are invited from all those involved in teaching and research, policy planning, social activism, people s movement and struggles are invited to present the papers. The papers must be prepared and presented in English or Hindi languages. An abstract of not more than 400 words is to be submitted by 20 th January, The abstracts must be precise and focus mainly on the core objective of study and central argument. The decision of the Apex Committee in this regard will be considered as final. Full papers of the selected candidates must be submitted by 5 th February, The papers must involve a logical and systematic blend of theoretical analysis and empirical research. The papers should follow the Chicago Manual style of editing. The abstract and paper must be sent to dpsnationalseminar2016@gmail.com Registration Fee There will be on the spot registration. Registration fee will be Rs.500/ for students and research scholars and Rs.750/ for teachers and others (Invited Speakers and Resource Person exempted from registration fee). Registration fee would cover seminar kit, meals, and photocopy of the circulated papers. The organizers will make efforts to provide modest accommodation to outstation participants subject to availability of the same in University guest house/hostels of the University. Lucknow city has a number of good hotels with tariff ranging from Rs.500 for a non-ac single room upwards. The accommodation requirements must be communicated in advance so that necessary arrangements can be made on time. Important dates Last Date for Abstract Submission: 20 th January, 2016 Date for confirmation of abstracts: 25 th January, 2016 Last Date for Full Paper Submission: 5 th February, 2016 Seminar Organizing Committee Prof. R.C. Sobti Vice Chancellor, BBAU Chief Patron Prof. Kameshwar Choudhary Dean, School for Ambedkar Studies, BBAU Patron Prof. Sartik Bagh Head, Department of Political Science Organizing Secretary & Convenor Other Members: Prof. Ripu Sudan Singh Dr. S.K. Pandey Dr. Siddhartha Mukerji Dr. Preety Choudhari Contact us at: dpsnationalseminar2016@gmail.com

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