Growth Inclusiveness and Well-being in India: An Analysis in terms of Relative Deprivation

Abstract

Last two decades have witnessed remarkable economic growth in many Asian countries. Almost all the countries including India proceeded towards market orientation and thereby achieved high momentum in economic growth. India, though achieved a high acceleration in economic growth, distributional issues have received much attention to the researchers and policy makers. Much sharper focus has been given on inclusive growth which ensures broad based participation by all the section of the economy. In this paper we are to examine to what extent the observed growth process in India is broad based and inclusive. Growth inclusiveness is examined in terms of the state of relative deprivation. Inter-personal expenditure gaps for different consumption items are used to assess the level of in-built differences in wellbeing among the people. Rural–urban differentials are made explicitly.