Six Years After Sachar: Review of Socially Inclusive Policies in India Since 2006

SIX YEARS AFTER SACHAR: Review of Socially Inclusive Policies in India Since 2006 ?

Publication #USIPIPUB05, January 2013:

This report examines the achievement of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, a coalition government led by the Indian National Congress Party, during its eight year rule, particularly during the six years since the Sachar Committee Report launched debates around socially inclusive development that takes religion into account. Recent reviews of data for Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) points to lost opportunities in reducing poverty, increasing literacy and improving health and sanitation. Global watchdogs such as the United Nations and the World Bank and independent research institutions praise India?s somewhat resilient gross domestic product (GDP) growth. However, these groups also express concern at India?s failure to address deprivation, vulnerability and exclusion.

This report also documents that despite the government’s publicized support for the Sachar Committee Report?s recommendations to increase diversity in public spaces and to ensure the minorities proportionate benefits from mainstream institutions, the government’s record is notably lackluster.