Muslim inclusion in growth process in K'taka better than Goa'

Mangalore, March 27: Muslims in Karnataka have been included in the growth process relatively better than their counterparts in Goa, said Dr. G V Joshi, Member, Planning Board, Government of Karnataka, and Professor of Economics at the Nitte-based Justice K.S. Hegde Institute of Management.

He was speaking after inaugurating a national workshop on 'Inclusive Growth: Concept and Reality' organized by the PG Department of Economics, St Aloysius College, Mangalore, on Tuesday.

Citing the Human Development Report 2011, which he said has shed enough light on the aspect of inclusive growth in the states of Goa, Karnataka and Kerala, Dr. Joshi said, that Muslims in Goa have not been part of the inclusive growth process of the state. “The report says that although Goa has a weak agriculture base, it has made reasonable progress. It has seen inclusive growth to a considerable extent. The growth rate among Hindus and Christians of the region have been largely fine but many Muslims in Goa are still leading their lives in deprivation. Inclusive growth in Goa has bypassed Muslims”, Dr. Joshi said.

On the other hand in Karnataka, Dr. Joshi said, although the report states that there have been grave inequalities, Muslims have been included in the growth process fairly better than Goa. He added that the fiscal deficit of Karnataka had also not exceeded the prescribed limit.

Speaking about inclusive growth in Kerala, Dr. Joshi said that the state's human development was its strength. “Amartya Sen had appreciated the human development in Kerala. However, there too the story of inclusive growth is incomplete. Second generation problems are propping up now along with quality issues concerning health, education etc. It is not as high as it was in the past”, he said.

Dr. Joshi also mentioned that there is a need now to reconsider the 73^rd and 74^th amendments made to the Constitution which concentrated on decentralisation.

In his presidential address, Fr Swebert D'Silva, Principal, St Aloysius College, Mangalore, said that there has to be inclusive growth in educational sector too. “There should be access, equity and quality. Only 8-10% of our youngsters go to colleges so the access has to be increased. No one should be left out as far as providing education is concerned and quality must not be compromised upon. One should also think about one's own individual growth too along with inclusive growth,” Mr. D'Silva said.

B V Raghunandan, Associate Professor of Commerce, SVS College, Bantwal, Dr Mani K P, Director, Dr John Mathai Centre Campus, Trichur, Professor and Head, Department of Economics, University of Calicut, and Dr. T Mallikarjunappa, Professor, Dept of Business Administration and Coordinator, MBA (Tourism Administration), Mangalore University, are the resource persons for the day-long workshop.