Caste-based inequity hampers access to rural infrastructure
Divya Trivedi
New Delhi, Sept. 10:
Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and minority habitations have limited
or no access to public infrastructure, according to National
Infrastructure Equity Audit conducted by Social Equity Watch — a
non-Governmental Organisation.
There is continued presence of deep-rooted caste-based inequity in the
distribution and availability of infrastructure , says the audit.
These findings will be presented to the Planning Commission before the
Twelfth Plan is finalised, Mr Tom Thomas, Chief Executive Officer,
Institute of Participatory Practices (Praxis), said while releasing
the report here on Friday.
States surveyed
Access to public infrastructure by different social groups was
surveyed in 124 Gram Panchayats (GP) of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,
Karnataka, Orissa and Rajasthan covering 1,000 caste and religious
habitations.
There are many SC/ST habitations that are still officially uncovered,
says the audit. Over 60 per cent of GPs surveyed had no health
centres, schools, panchayat bhawans and post offices located in SC/ST
and minority areas.
In many instances where infrastructure is present, the service
provider is from an upper caste.
The SC/ST and minority communities rated the access to services much
lower than their G/BC counterparts in the same habitation.
"The caste dynamics in the village then play out to ensure that lower
castes are denied access to them," said Mr Thomas.
Total estimated investment
During the 11th Plan, of the total estimated investment of Rs
13,82,846 crore for infrastructure, 13 per cent was to be spent on
rural areas .
"Given the overall lack of infrastructure facilities, the burden of
shortage is borne by these marginalised social groups," says the
survey.
"The task ahead is to monitor the location of new infrastructure in
such a way that the existing equity gap can be filled over the years.
This would be crucial for scarce resources, such as drinking water and
newer infrastructure such as internet kiosks," Mr Thomas said.
The public infrastructure surveyed include anganwadis, health centres,
drinking water, primary health centre, community centre, panchayat
bhavan, road, PDS, post office, secondary school and telephone and
information kiosks.
The first phase of the audit was conducted over three months this
year. Phase-II of the survey is expected to gauge the access to
infrastructure in urban spaces.
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