Approaching equity - Indiagovernance.gov.in

PreambleNon-governmental organizations and civil societyorganizations from across the country, representing variousconstituencies and theoretical approaches, collectivelywelcome the effort of the Planning Commission of Indiato make the planning process more responsive to citizens’concerns for the 12 th Five Year Plan Approach Paper.We have seized this opportunity to make this 12 th FiveYear Plan process further participatory, and somewhatrepresentative of public opinion. Government planningis one of the few sites that lend itself to participation bycivil society and non-government experts. In addressingthe emerging Plan Approach, we have undertaken widerangingconsultations to identify and reflect the insights andaspirations of the public in whose best interests the Stateshould seek to govern.These principles have already been enshrined in thePreamble to the Indian Constitution – Justice – social,economic, and political – and should be kept in mind ifthe State is to deliver the people’s rights and entitlements.The Directive Principles are declared as “fundamental to thegovernance of the country”. Article 37 imposes an obligationon the State to apply them. Since the Constitution emphasisesthe positive duty of the State to promote the welfare of thepeople by affirming social, economic and political justice,as well as to fight income inequality and ensure individualdignity, the question arises for each Five Year Plan: why isthe State not more attentive to this obligation, and whatshould the next Plan reflect?Our recommended inputs are aimed to strengthenthe Indian State’s provisions and commitments and ensurethrough special measures and safeguards these rights anduniversal entitlements for the most marginalised andvulnerable people residing within the jurisdiction of theIndian State. All planning and development processesshould be inclusive of all vulnerable groups, irrespectiveof the area of concern, i.e. markets, agriculture, economy,industries, etc.The draft listing of priorities for the Plan Approach couldgain from reaffirming these mandates. Basic rights must beconsciously examined against any listing of challenges andtargets identified for the Plan. It cannot be assumed thatthey will be addressed. Much less can it be assumed thatthey are optional in the drive for sustainable and equitabledevelopment!Who is to be served and empowered by development?The concept of “inclusion” in the planning process shouldbe centred on mobilising the excluded as active agents oftheir own development; their participation should be madeessential to the very design of the development process;and they themselves must not simply be welfare targets ofdevelopment programmes. Our proposals envisage bringingto the forefront the full agency of these excluded groups inplanning. The processes of development planning deservereview.We believe that those who are affected by any challengeor problem have the right to be directly involved inevolving measures through discussion and participationto address and solve that particular problem, whether itis in local committees, councils or in developing policiesor programmes. This is not to say that others need notbe included in this process, but that the views, needs anddesires of the affected groups must be foregrounded.We have deliberately moved away from the languageof ‘recipients’ and ‘beneficiaries’, whether it be of planningprocesses, programmes, and schemes or in terms of accessto resources, and of ownership and entitlements, and theright to claim or reclaim them. Our recommendations also7