The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst, exacerbating class inequalities and deepening poverty levels across India. The economic fallout of the pandemic disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, with marginalized communities facing the brunt of the crisis. Lockdown measures and disruptions in economic activities led to widespread job losses, particularly in the informal sector, where a significant portion of the population is employed. The divide between the affluent and the economically disadvantaged widened as those with secure jobs and financial resources were better equipped to weather the storm. Additionally, the shift to remote work highlighted the existing digital divide, further marginalizing those without access to technology and online education. The pandemic exposed the inadequacies of social safety nets, with many individuals and families struggling to meet their basic needs. As the nation grapples with the long-term impacts of the pandemic, addressing and mitigating these heightened inequalities and poverty levels becomes imperative for a more inclusive and resilient society.
UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 1 Mains 2020
Poverty and Developmental Issues
UPSC Mains Civil Services IAS Exam Question Paper – 2020
Structure of the Question
- In Introduction,
- Write how COVID-19 is more than a health crisis.
- In Body,
- Substantiate how inequality and poverty are growing by giving data from International Bodies like WEF, UNDP, ILO, etc.
- Steps taken to minimize the socio-economic crisis imposed by Covid-19
- Conclude by giving positive and futuristic suggestions.
Answer
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented. From the perspective of the economy, both rural and urban areas have been impacted adversely. According to the Oxfam Report 2019, In India, the top 1% hold 51.53% of the national wealth, while the remaining 99% make do with almost 48%. However, the Inequality Virus Report, released by Oxfam International, has found that the Covid-19 pandemic deeply increased the existing inequalities in India and around the world.
Impact of the Pandemic on Class Inequalities & Poverty
- A new study from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has found that an additional 207 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty by 2030 due to the severe long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the total number of the world’s extremely poor to more than a billion.
- According to the World Economic Forum, Higher-paid workers are working from home while lower-paid blue-collar workers typically do not have this option. The pandemic is increasing poverty and inequality between the rich who can afford to provide social safety nets, and the poor who do not have the capacity to do so.
- The unemployment rate among women rose from an already high 15% before Covid to 18%.
- The World Bank has noted that India is at risk of losing many of its hard-won gains against poverty. In its 2020 India Development Update, the World Bank noted that half of India’s population is vulnerable with “consumption levels precariously close” to the poverty line.
- The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimated that nearly 400 million workers in India’s informal economy are at risk of falling deeper into poverty.
- The UN World Food Program and Food and Agriculture Organization also reported that “food insecurity is spiking as people lose their incomes and have to reduce consumption “.
- Gender inequality increasing: According to the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy, the already low labor participation rate for women has shrunk even further after the pandemic to 11% compared to 71% for men.
- Greatest migrants’ crisis: Repeated extension of the lockdown has caused economic devastation to workers in the informal economy as it has left them with no income, no food, and no shelter. The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy estimates that about 140 million people have lost jobs since the lockdown.
- Digital Inequality: The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) revealed two startling facts. One, only a little under a third of India’s school children are accessing online education—the only means available to students with schools shut down for the last seven months. Second, even fewer can take live online classes.
Conclusion
In order to combat the ill effects of COVID-19, the government has launched PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Growing inequality is neither good for society nor the economy. It leads to greater fissures, and more violence, and undermines democracy and democratic processes. The government can make the Public Distribution System universal (so that no poor goes hungry), expand rural jobs guarantee schemes, and start a similar urban jobs guarantee scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How did the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to the acceleration of class inequalities in India?
A: The pandemic disproportionately affected different socioeconomic groups in India, with the marginalized communities facing heightened vulnerabilities. This FAQ could delve into the economic impact, job losses, and access to healthcare, highlighting how these factors widened the gap between the rich and the poor.
Q: What role did the lockdown measures play in exacerbating poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic in India?
A: Explore how the stringent lockdown measures implemented to curb the virus spread impacted daily wage workers and informal sector workers. This could include discussions on loss of livelihoods, lack of social security, and the challenges faced by those living below the poverty line.
Q: How did the education sector in India witness disparities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in terms of class divisions?
A: Address the shift to online education and its implications on students from different economic backgrounds. Discuss issues related to access to digital devices, stable internet connectivity, and the overall impact on the education of children from lower-income families.
Q: Were there specific government policies or initiatives that contributed to the exacerbation of class inequalities and poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic in India?
A: Explore whether existing policies were effective in mitigating the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable populations. Discuss any shortcomings in the government’s response and whether there were specific measures that inadvertently worsened the situation for certain socioeconomic groups.
Q: How did the healthcare system in India contribute to the widening gap in health outcomes between different economic classes during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Discuss the strain on the healthcare infrastructure, disparities in access to medical facilities, and the impact on the overall health of individuals from lower-income groups. Address issues such as limited testing and healthcare resources, as well as the challenges faced by those without adequate health insurance.
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