Punjab Newspaper

While drawing a perspective on the ever-increasing problem of multi-layered social, ethnic and cultural groups, Prof S.K. Thorat, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, called upon the policy makers to ensure economic empowerment without discrimination, especially in the monopolistic markets. While delving on the issue of social exclusion, group and individual specific demands, he advocated the cause of giving proportionately due rights and privileges to women, dalits, religious minorities, nomadic, de-notified tribes and other excluded groups, which constitute a substantial section of our population.


Dr Thorat made these remarks in his valedictory address on the concluding day of the three-day 51st Labour Economics Conference at Punjabi University here today. He underlined the idea of developing an authentic database of the marginalised and “poor within the poor” strata of the society, who have lesser access to the benefits accruing to them, keeping in mind the socio-economic parameters and their cultural identities. Both social and individual exclusion and inclusion at multiple levels needs to be analysed for human poverty reduction, he said.

Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jaspal Singh urged the economic experts to forthwith initiate corrective measures for the upliftment of the downtrodden and the under-privileged sections of the society. He lamented the miniscule proportion of the down-and-outs, who just manage to earn the privilege of getting higher education even in one of the most prosperous states like Punjab. “Wasn’t it shocking to note that just 4.16 percent and 3.17 per cent of rural students get a chance to receive higher education in traditional and professional courses, respectively against 66 per cent of rural population”, he questioned. Punjabi University’s efforts nevertheless to set up neighbourhood campuses and regional centres in the most backward areas of Punjab has added to this proportion, making it a little over nine per cent, he said. He drew attention of the UGC Chairman to make efforts for getting additional grants for Punjabi University to continue its spree to provide education to the poor sections of the society at their doorsteps.

Prof G.K. Chadha, former member of Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, said that academicians should help policy drafters in diagnosing the problems of the deprived and suggest measures to improve upon the financial health of the country. Prof Thorat, Prof Chadha and Dr Jaspal Singh conferred the prestigious Sanjay Thakur Memorial Award for the best conference paper to Dr Kakuli Barua from Lady Sriram College. From among 300 scholars and delegates from India and abroad, who participated in the conference, 75 presented their papers. Conference Presidents, Dr S.S. Gill and Dr R.S. Ghuman also spoke on the occasion.International Conference on Labour Economics begins at PU