Gender Equality a Precondition of Meeting Challenge of Poverty

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2014 which created Telangana, has made the population ratio as the framework for allocation of assets and liabilities, between Telangana and the residual state of Andhra Pradesh. The bifurcation has several economic implications. Unemployment will increase as the population is being divided on a linguistic basis, and people of Telugu origin will rush to the new state, and vice-versa; leaving the administration in tatters. Division of assets and officials, the sharing of common resources and particularly sharing of water and energy will be a major problem. It would be the interest of both states to address the issues arising out of reorganisation of existing Andhra Pradesh through dialogue and ensure peaceful industrial climate in both states.

Success is achieved by developing strengths, not by eliminating weaknesses. There is an urgent need to communicate with the public and help explain where there is consensus, and where there are doubts about sustainable development. The three pillars of sustainable development—economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion—carry across all sectors of development.

Telugu Desam firmly believes gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.

A farmer tells his child, “study well and get a job or you will suffer like me.” This is not an isolated caution from a hapless father, but a reality. Parents don’t want their children to farm. Every government wants to increase food productivity, but for a successful transformation, policy-makers have to make farming a profitable profession.

An effective crop insurance mechanism will do away with the need for calamity relief measures. The plight of farmers emphasises the need for crop insurance that triggers automatic payments for losses from natural disasters.

Economies around the world in the recent past have been reshaped by technology and globalisation. Economic globalisation and  advances  in  information  and  communication technologies (ICT) led  to  the  emergence  of  knowledge  economy—an economy that creates, disseminate  and  uses  knowledge  to  enhance growth and  development.

The use of ICT helps raise labour productivity, growth and employment in agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors as well.

India’s growing population of young people will give the country a demographic advantage over many western countries. As a result, India must position itself to “leapfrog in the race for social and economic development” through the formulation of knowledge-oriented focus of development.

Cooperation among key stakeholders in the government, private sector and civil society will be important in formulating and implementing polices that harness knowledge that already exists within the country to increase welfare and productivity of the economy.

The access to knowledge is a fundamental goal of TDP.  It is critical for the majority of the population to possess the means to not only obtain this information but have the necessary educational background to understand and then communicate with others about the knowledge to expand learning through discussions.

Despite challenges facing the economy, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana have the resources to emerge from this period of turmoil stronger and more competitive. We have an enterprising and resilient business base; a youthful and well educated population; a strong manufacturing base; excellent research and innovation attributes; a world class telecommunications network; strong international links; and unique natural and cultural resources. Our strengths far outweigh our weaknesses. Developing policies that exploit these strengths will create the right conditions for growth and address many weaknesses.