Growth, Disparities and Inclusive Development in India: Perspectives from the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh

The book critically examines the high growth trajectory in India, particularly since the late 1980s, a period which is characterized by increasing inequality. Through various studies from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh -- a state more populous than Brazil and with a GDP comparable to Bangladesh -- it sheds light on the link between growth and inequality in emerging economies. The slow pace of any upward movement in terms of various development indicators in low-income Indian states is due to a number of factors, including their historical disadvantages. Over a period of time, this has resulted in widening disparities, both between different regions of these states, and between these states and other more prosperous Indian states.

The book provides a holistic, yet critical, region-wise analysis of the achievements of Uttar Pradesh compared to other states and to India as a whole, in the context of indicators of inclusive development, namely, growth, employment, poverty, infrastructure, agriculture, industry, education and health. Based on the latest data and sophisticated analysis methods, it assesses inequality and development disparities, clearly identifying three major challenges that poorer states face in redressing poverty and expanding inclusive growth - increasing economic opportunities, empowering poor and marginalised groups to avail new opportunities in a rapidly changing world, and ensuring an effective safety net to reduce vulnerability.

The book suggests strategies for promoting high and sustained economic growth, and highlights the significance of broadening social inclusiveness through greater and more rapid access to economic and social opportunities, and building strong social safety nets to protect the chronically poor and mitigate their risks and vulnerabilities with the help of good governance and institutions. With contributions from leading scholars from the region, it is a valuable resource for researchers working in the area of growth and inequality, as well as for policy makers from developing economies around the globe.

Rajendra P. Mamgain is a Development Economist from India. With more than three decades of research experience, he is currently a Professor at Giri Institute of Development Studies, Lucknow, India. He is also an Adjunct Professor in Doon University, and a Visiting Professor and former Director of Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS), New Delhi. In addition he was a Senior Academic Consultant at the Indian Council of Social Science Research from 2012-13, a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Human Development, New Delhi and a member of the faculty at the Institute of Applied Manpower Research. He obtained PhD in Economics from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and specialises in the areas of labour, employment, migration, skill development, human poverty, inclusive development and impact evaluation of government programmes. He has considerable expertise in large field-based research and has co-authored nine books and more than 65 research papers in various respected national and international journals. He serves on the editorial boards of numerous journals and has been the Managing Editor of the Indian Journal of Labour Economics (published by Springer since 2015) for more than twenty five years. He has been a consultant to various national and international organizations. Dr. Mamgain has been a member of various policy advisory bodies of leading institutions in India and abroad.