Renowned economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen weighed in on the Narendra Modi-led government’s decision to give reservation to the general category and said that quotas were “not the answer” to tackle income inequality.
The Modi government’s decision to extend 10 percent reservation for economically weaker sections of the general category has sparked debate. While some claim that the move is aimed at uplifting economically weaker sections of the society, others allege it is a political ploy by the BJP to revive its electoral fortunes after poll debacles in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
In an exclusive interview to India Today, Sen said on Monday, 21 January, "If the Modi government believes that Congress was at fault (for perpetuating reservation), which they were to some extent, then they should've corrected it instead of following it.”
"To think that income inequality can be dealt with reservation is confounded thinking. Reservation is not the answer. We can deal with income inequality through economic opportunities," he added.
Modi Govt Made Situation a ‘Lot Worse’
The economist also said the focus should shift from reservation to improving education, healthcare and economic growth.
Speaking to India Today’s Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai, he said that the Congress party was not very good at creating jobs but the Modi government had made the situation "a hell lot worse.”
Instead, we need to deal with income inequality through economic opportunities, he added.
(With inputs from India Today)
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