The Underbelly of Rural India, SECC 2011 & Way Forward

Abstract

The Socio Economic & Caste Census (SECC) 2011 is a remarkable report by unfolding critical economic trends in rural India in terms of asset ownership, employment, Mean Years of Schooling (MYS) and social inclusion. Given the distressing findings of endemic casual labour, destitution, low access through Kisan Card, financial inclusion for people in the bottom of the pyramid poses serious policy challenges. The paper argues that rights based approach which puts a premium on opportunity, empowerment and social security will be the right way forward. The Policy Effectiveness Index (PEI) approach provides useful insight to our unsatisfactory law and order situation and poor employment opportunity. It advocates eschewing rural urban migration as a strategy; it instead calls for investment in Agricultural (R&D), agro industry development, quality education and skilling as the templates for coalescing growth and Human Development Index (HDI).

Keywords: SECC, MYS, PEI, HDI