DeneGOLD- Free

A tale of two Indias: Inequality alleviation remains a challenge
Mint Bangalore|January 14, 2025
Seven decades of widening and shrinking disparities offer clues to the policies we must pursue for a more equitable future
- RAJESH SHUKLA

Over the past seven decades, India's income inequality has transformed significantly, with stark divergences between rural and urban areas. These changes highlight contrasting socio-economic trajectories and reflect the successes and shortcomings of policy efforts to address disparities.

Drawing on scientific household income surveys (1953-2023), a recent PRICE working paper provides valuable insights into India's uneven growth story and the challenges of inclusive development.

The rural landscape: In rural India, income inequality has fluctuated due to agricultural developments, economic reforms, and targeted interventions. The Gini ratio—a measure of inequality—offers insights into these changes. Between 1955 and 1975, the rural income Gini ratio rose modestly from 0.341 to 0.388 (indicating more inequality), driven by unequal land ownership and the limited reach of government programmes.

The Green Revolution modernized agriculture, but disproportionately benefited wealthier farmers with access to irrigation and advanced inputs, leaving marginalized groups behind.

From 1975 to 1995, the income Gini ratio declined slightly to 0.376, reflecting poverty alleviation schemes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and land reforms. Policies such as the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism offered small farmers stability. Despite uneven implementation, these measures curbed inequality modestly.

Economic liberalization from 1995 to 2005 reversed this trend, with the Gini ratio climbing sharply to 0.438. Reforms opened new markets but primarily benefited wealthier households that were able to access credit, technology, and infrastructure. Small and marginal farmers faced declining subsidies and limited institutional support, widening the gap.

Bu hikaye Mint Bangalore dergisinin January 14, 2025 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Mint Bangalore dergisinin January 14, 2025 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MINT BANGALORE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Mint Bangalore

Can a computer learn to speak trader?

This is a continuation from page 16.

time-read
3 dak  |
January 18, 2025
Mint Bangalore

Indriya eyes growth via franchise model

Aditya Birla Group's jewellery brand aims to open 100 stores in 18 months

time-read
1 min  |
January 18, 2025
Mint Bangalore

Good immigrants or pesky invaders?

As Donald Trump returns amid raging controversies over H1B visas, a new book documents the rise of Indians in the US

time-read
6 dak  |
January 18, 2025
Mint Bangalore

A literary tour of Bengaluru

A new, self-guided audio tour of the city's bookish haunts, from old libraries to independent bookstores, is a delight

time-read
2 dak  |
January 18, 2025
Mint Bangalore

Gerald Durrell's magical world of animals

Author Gerald Durrell's true magic lay in his ability to uncover the wonders in his own backyard. From spiders to scorpions, he revealed the beauty in the humblest of creatures

time-read
5 dak  |
January 18, 2025
Mint Bangalore

IMF Keeps India's GDP Growth Outlook at 6.5%

Global growth is expected to remain stable, albeit lacklustre in 2025: IMF

time-read
2 dak  |
January 18, 2025
Mint Bangalore

The Dirty Picture-Mag

A really good dirty joke is hard to forget. Few shows have dared to blend the risqué with the revolutionary as seamlessly as Minx.

time-read
4 dak  |
January 18, 2025
Mint Bangalore

Budgeting for Growth

FY26 outlook is increasingly uncertain, with sizeable risks from global developments

time-read
3 dak  |
January 18, 2025
Mint Bangalore

2025 promises to be the year of EVs for carmakers in India

Tata Motors and Hyundai have projected the Indian car market reaching 15-20% EV penetration by 2030

time-read
1 min  |
January 18, 2025
Mint Bangalore

Jayasri Burman: Maker of myths and memories

A major new exhibition of the artist's work opens in Delhi, showing us the evolution of her thinking and style

time-read
5 dak  |
January 18, 2025

Hizmetlerimizi sunmak ve geliştirmek için çerezler kullanıyoruz. Sitemizi kullanarak çerezlere izin vermiş olursun. Learn more