C H A P T E R : E L E V E N

SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT
AND
CONCERNED
ISSUES
DEVELOPMENT concerns all nations, whether it
be developed or developing. All nations are
making efforts for development with the best
possible utilisation of their manpower and
resources. They may differ in their approach
towards development, but not about the
development as a goal.
Energy crisis, environment pollution,
technology transfer, ozone layer depletion,
procurement of raw materials, consumerism
and world market, growth of information
technology, etc., are such examples whose
implications are felt all over the world. On
the other hand, alleviation of poverty,
eradication of illiteracy, population control,
sustainable resource utilisation, health and
family welfare are the topics of the states
concern, and are now also being addressed
in global perspective. Today, development is
no more a national issue, it is rather a
global concern.
Social Development
Social development is a dynamic concept. The
process of social development is a complex
one, comprising economic, social, political and
administrative elements. Only a comprehensive
approach can cover and integrate these
elements. This unified approach makes the
development process internally consistent,
sound and effective.
The economic gains alone do not guarantee
social well-being even to the developed nations
what to say of developing nations. The ultimate
purpose of the development is to attain social
and economic justice. Changes in socio-
economic structure are required for social
transformation.
Social development is a process of planned
institutional change. It brings about a better
adjustment between human needs and
aspirations on the one hand, and social policies
and programmes on the other hand. Therefore,
to chalk out the strategy for social
development, it is necessary that
(i) need of the society is assessed for policy
making,
(ii) institutions are made responsible to the
concerns of the people,
(iii) structural changes are required to
facilitate planning, and
SOCIAL SCIENCE: PART II 98
(iv) people are associated with the decision-
making process.
In short, social development is aimed at
improving the overall quality of life, human
relations and living conditions of all
individuals and social groups. Thus, social
development is all about the development of
society and promotion of social welfare.
In India, due to a long spell of foreign rule,
the social welfare sector largely remained
neglected. Framers of the Indian Constitution
incorporated a number of provisions in the
Constitution to effect socio-economic changes
in our society. On the one hand, Preamble
aims at assuring social, economic, political
justice to the people, and on the other hand
the Directive Principles commits the nation to
be a welfare state. The interests of both
individual and the state are being protected
with the mixed pattern of economy which
stands for the co-existence of both private and
public sectors. Thus, Indian model of social
development is based on both socialist and
democratic patterns.
Planning in India derives its objective and
social premises from Directive Principles of
State Policy. The Planning Commission of
India prepares the blue print of Indias
development in terms of constitutionally
defined social goals. Under the various Five
Year Plans, social sector development of our
country has made significant progress over
the years. The strategy of the Tenth Five Year
Plan (2002-07) is to achieve 8 per cent GDP
growth rate for the enhancement of human
well being. It also aims to improve the quality
of life by providing adequate access to the
basic services like education, health, nutrition,
family welfare, drinking water, sanitation and
rural development. It could be said that the
central objective of planning in India has been
to raise the standard of living of the people
and to open out the new vistas of opportunities
for a richer life.
India has chosen the path of a welfare state
and is trying to combine the principles of
planning and democracy. People have been
assigned an important role in the
implementation of the plans through the local
bodies i.e. Panchayats and Nagar Palikas.
Planning has greatly helped in achieving
growth and self-reliance. But, still a lot is to
be done to raise the living standard of people
to remove poverty to reduce economic
inequality and regional imbalances for the
harmonious socio-economic order.
Legal Literacy and Its Need
One who can read and write in any language
with understanding, is called a literate person.
Literacy is the base for receiving information,
knowledge and training in building skills.
Literacy has many aspects, just as computer
literacy, where one needs to have some
working knowledge about computer
operations. In the same way, legal literacy is
that where one needs to have some broad
information about legal provisions and
processes. Likewise, now-a-days we observe
that there is a move to initiate sex literacy for
the prevention of AIDS.
The cause for the low level of legal awareness
in our country can be primarily attributed to
the lack of proper education and poor rate of
literacy. In the court of law, ignorance of law
is no excuse. Breach of law due to ignorance
is not pardonable. Judiciary of our country
treats every person as legal literate.
Legal literacy is all about legal education.
It is just the elementary knowledge of law
and not an expert knowledge of an advocate.
It is about awareness of the countrys political
set up, Constitutional and Legal Rights, and
about our actions and social behaviour that
amounts to crime, and, punishable under
law. Legal literacy helps in seeking legal
remedies against exploitation and injustice.
It makes us aware of several laws which have
been enacted for the welfare, protection and
security of the citizens. Consumer Protection
Act, as we have already read, tells us how to
protect ourselves from the sellers exploitation
in market. In nutshell, legal literacy reminds
us about our rights, duties and legal
obligations towards society. Absence of legal
literacy leads to the perpetuity of exploitation
and victimisation. It makes us responsible
persons of a civil society, and a society which
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONCERNED ISSUES 99
is just and orderly, where everyone lives with
honour and dignity.
Rights of Citizens
Rights are those conditions of life without which
no one can achieve his or her best self.
Possession of rights has been an essential
characteristic of citizenship. Promotion of
democracy and the worldwide thrust on
Human Rights have inspired nations to
facilitate the enjoyment of Rights to their
citizens. Personality of a state is known by
the rights which it maintains.
The Constitution of India has conferred
upon its citizens a variety of justiceable rights,
called Fundamental Rights. Since these rights
are basically Human Rights which are
constitutionally guaranteed and provide basic
conditions of life, they are fundamental in
nature.
They are essential for the establishment
of a full-fledged democracy in India. We
have read in the previous class that the
Constitution of India outlines six
Fundamental Rights, namely
Right to Equality
Right to Freedom
Right against Exploitation
Right to Freedom of Religion
Cultural and Educational Rights, and
Right to Constitutional Remedies, to
enable its citizens to blossom to their
fullness.
As is seen, the Constitution not only
enumerates various Fundamental Rights, but
also guarantees them by making provision for
the Right to Constitutional Remedies, itself a
Fundamental Right. Fundamental Rights are
paramount in the governance of our country.
In case of their violation, any person can
directly approach the Supreme Court or High
Courts for immediate and effective remedies.
An elaborate declaration of Human Rights has
been made in our Constitution. Rights under
our Constitution are more real than those
found in other countries of the world.
Rights Of a Child
Children are the most vulnerable section of our
society. They need special care and protection if
the future of the nation is to be made secure.
Child development and welfare is in the priorities
of social development. Children being the asset
of the nation, should be grown up to become
robust, physically fit, mentally alert and morally
healthy citizens. Child is the father of man is
an old, but true saying, because conduct and
character of an adult person reflect what he has
imbibed in childhood. Hence, the interest of the
child is the interest of the society and of the nation
writ large.
The United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Child, 1992 is designed as the
Charter of Rights for childrens survival,
development and welfare. They are
recommendatory in nature to the states.
Among these Rights of Child, some major
rights can be to ensure :
the childs inherent Rights of life, without
discrimination of race, colour, sex,
language, religion, nationality, etc;
the childs right to be cared by his/her
parents. Child should not be separated
from his/her parents. In the event of the
childs adoption, the best interest of child
shall be of the paramount consideration;
the right of a child to education directed
towards the development of childs
personality;
the right of a child to the enjoyment of
highest attainable standard of health, and
to engage in play and recreational
activities appropriate to his/her age;
the childs right to conscience, religion and
to be with his/her community and
culture;
the childs right of free expression and
freedom of association and peaceful
assembly;
protection of children from all forms of
physical or mental violence, exploitation
and abuse, narcotics use, torture or
inhuman punishment;
SOCIAL SCIENCE: PART II 100
the right of a child to social security and
standard of living adequate for the childs
physical, mental, spiritual, moral and
social development.
Protecting Children from Exploitation
Millions of children suffer neglection or
exploitation, or both, in their life due to the
circumstances beyond their control. The
problems of child abuse and child labour are
the outcomes which our society confronts
today. Children need care and attention and
also protection against their exploitation.
Child Abuse
Any deliberate, not accidental, act causing
mental or physical injury or harm to child, is
called child abuse. Its negative effect on child
can be both at psychological and physical
level. Even acts like abuse, threat and physical
punishment given to a child by his/her
teacher or parent at times, are viewed as the
case of child abuse.
Generally, child abuses are of physical,
sexual and emotional nature. The incidents
of physical abuse can easily be verified
through physical symptoms like cut, burn,
fracture, swelling, bruises and abrasions.
Sometimes, we come across such news that
a child is sexually abused by his/her own
neighbours, close relativs or acquaintances.
Out of shock, fear, shame and threat, the
victim child hesitates to disclose that act of
sex abuse to his/her parents, or in
whomsoever he/she confides. He/she should
share such issues with parents/elders.
Emotional abuse is difficult to comprehend,
since it is psychological one. Emotional abuse
consists of and is related to disregarding the
childs physical, emotional, moral and social
needs. Sometimes, this kind of stress is caused
by maladjustment between his/her parents.
Child Labour
Labourers below the age of 14 years of age are
called child labourers. India has the largest
number of child labourers in the world, who
are engaged in both organised and non-
organised sectors. Child labourers in India are
11.29 millions, which constitutes 1.34 per cent
of the total population (1991) of our country.
Of the total child labourers, 45 per cent are
girls. Most of the child labourers are engaged
in agriculture and allied sectors, such as
livestock, forestry, fisheries in urban and semi-
urban areas. You can find a number of small
children working in dhabas, small restaurants,
eating places, or as helpers or cleaners in buses,
or as domestic help.
Children are cheap source of labour. Their
inability to protest against their employers
makes them preferable labourers. Child
labourers are an exploited community. They
have long working hours, hazardous working
conditions and less wages. Devoid of
education, recreation, leisure, love, and care,
these unfortunate children can hardly live
their childhood.
The main reason behind child labour is
poverty. Children are forced to work early in
their life. They work not only for their own
survival, but also for their family. In such poor
conditions, children are seen as extra hands
of earning to improve their household income.
Indebtedness also compels poor parents to
get their children employed as domestic
servants, agricultural workers and daily wage
earners. Street children, who are either
orphans or have run away from their homes
due to domestic violence or poverty, have no
option but to work in order to feed and clothe
themselves.
For the protection and development of
children, the Constitution of India has made
the following provisions :
No child below the age of 14 years shall
be employed to work in any factory or in
any hazardous employment.
Childhood and youth are to be protected
against exploitation and against moral
and material abandonment.
The state shall endeavour to provide
free el ementary educati on to al l
children till they complete the age of
14 years from the commencement of the
Consti tuti on wi thi n a peri od of
10 years.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONCERNED ISSUES 101
Protecting the Aged and Disabled
The problem of aged and disabled is a
worldwide phenomenon. No doubt, their
problems are individual in nature, but concern
the society as a whole. It is time to pay special
attention to them and to their cause.
Old Age Problem
Better health services, rise in the standard of
living, and increase in life expectancy have
enhanced the number of aged people world-
wide. As a result, old age problems have
become social problems. To emphasise this
issue, the United Nations declared 1999 as the
Year of Older Persons, which was also
observed in India. It extended this declaration
to the year 2000 also.
Old age is inevitable. With the advancement
of age, physical and mental strength decreases,
and so their role and status. The growing sense
of individualism and materialism has adversely
affected their respect and position. The emerging
nuclear family is another factor which has
added to their agony of neglect. The elder, older
or aged find themselves out of place and
neglected, especially when they are in need of
more care and attention. To address the
concerns of aged, Government of India
announced the National Policy for Older Persons
(NPOP) in 1999.
Disabled
Concern for the disabled is growing all over
the world. Disability is a serious human
problem, which is to be patiently cared with
human approach. Out of the estimated total
500 million disabled of the world, about 12
million are Indians, who constitute nearly 1.8
per cent of their population. The United Nations
declared the year 1981 as the International
Year of Disabled Persons, and the decade,
1983-1992, as the Decade of Disabled
Persons. The main thrust of the United Nations
is to dispel the discrimination and difficulties
faced by the disabled at all levels.
One who suffers physical deformities or
mental incapabilities, whether by birth or
accident, is called a disabled person. Thus,
disabilities are of two types: physical and
mental. The physically disabled are deaf,
dumb, blind and orthopedically handicapped,
whereas, mentally disabled are those who
suffer through mental retardation or illness,
autism and cerebral palsy.
Disabled, besides their physical
inadequacies, have to face social prejudices.
Disability not only affects the disable but also
his/her family members and the development
of the society as a whole.
The Constitution of India directs the states
to make effective provisions for disabled and
aged people in securing the right to work,
education and public assistance. Law makes
it obligatory for the people with substantial
means, to support their parents if they are
unable to maintain themselves.
There are basically three legislations in India
dealing with the interests of the disabled. These
are : (a) The Rehabilitation Council of India Act,
1992, (b) The Persons with Disability (Equal
Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full
Participation) Act, 1995, and (c) The National
Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism,
Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and
Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.
The Rehabilitation Council of India Act (RCI),
1992, gave statutory status to the
Rehabilitation Council. It regulates the
programmes and institutions for various
categories of professionals in the area of
disability.
Among aforesaid Acts, the Persons with
Disability (PWD) Act, 1995, is the most
comprehensive one, which takes holistic view
of the disable and provides that (a) there shall
be 3 per cent reservation in government jobs
providing incentives for public and private
sector organisations that employ disabled, at
least to the extent of five persons of the total
workforce; (b) states shall progressively ensure
that every disabled child has access to free
education till the age of 18 years; (c) there shall
be preferential allotment of land at concessional
rates to the disabled persons for the
construction of house, setting up business or
SOCIAL SCIENCE: PART II 102
factories and for the establishment of special
recreation centres, schools, research
institutions; (d) there shall be establishment of
special employment exchanges, special
insurance policy and unemployment
allowances; (e) there shall be chief
commissioner for persons with disability who
is to coordinate the works of state
commissioners for persons with disabilities; to
monitor utilisation of funds disbursed by
Central Government, to take steps to safeguard
rights and facilities made available to persons
with disabilities and also to look into
complaints with respect to denial of rights of
persons with disabilities.
The National Trust for Welfare of Persons
with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental
Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act,
1999, sets up a trust, which is to strengthen
family guardianship of those suffering from
autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation
and multiple disabilities. It also looks after
the disabled with no family support.
Corruption : A Social Malaise
Corruption is a global phenomenon.
Corruption as a disease, is both endemic and
epidemic. It makes mockery of administration,
development and democracy. Corruption in
public life has reached an alarming stage and
has emerged globally a sensitive issue. The
level of corruption has also increased
substantially in India. The Transparency
International, which exposes corruption
among public offices and officials world-wide,
has rated India 69 in the list of 90 countries
in 2001.
Among Asian countries, Singapore was the
least corrupt followed by Hong Kong and
Japan. The worlds least corrupt first five
countries are Finland, Denmark, New Zealand,
Sweden and Canada.
Corruption breeds out of dishonesty and
illegal behaviour of the people who misuse
their official position and authority. The World
Bank defines corruption as the use of public
office for private profit. Corruption includes
bribery, extortion, embezzlement, favouritism,
etc. Corruption has various manifestations
which we encounter in our daily life.
Corruption is not limited to high level, like
politicians, bureaucrats, business and
industrial houses, but has extended to every
strata of society. Corruption is not only the
mother of black money, but often supports
criminalisation. Out of the fear of law, the
black money which is dumped, does not come
into use for the development of the nation.
Corruption deters investment, prevents
economic growth, distorts prices and
undermines the faith in the obedience of law
and governance system. It is an anti-national
act which perpetuates injustice and violation
of Human Rights. To cherish the dream of
transforming India into a superpower, the
malaise of corruption has to be rooted out
from our society and body politic.
Our government has taken several
measures to check corruption at different
levels. The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988,
was intended to contain corruption in public
life of India. The Act declares the acts of bribery,
misappropriation, obtaining pecuniary
advantages, abusing official position,
possessing assets disappropriate to income,
etc., as offence and punishable under law.
The Act is applicable to all public servants.
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) was
set up in 1964 to look into the complaints
of corruption against the public servants.
The CVC released a Citizens Guide for the
first time, prescribing some dos and donts
for the citizens. While taking note of the
general acceptance of corruption, the CVC
comments that behind every corrupt man,
there is a greedy family. Citizens Guide is
an attempt towards generating awareness
among people for making out a strong case
for the creation of a social environment
against corruption.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONCERNED ISSUES 103
EXERCISES
1. Answer briefly the following :
(i) What is meant by social development?
(ii) Name the new problems that are being faced by the world today?
(ii) What are the important subjects of state concerns?
(iii) How has the Constitution of India helped in social development of the country?
(iv) Why is social development necessary?
(v) What is meant by legal literacy?
(vi) Explain the problem of child abuse.
(vii) Name various provisions made in the Constitution of India for the protection
and development of the child.
(viii) What are the old age problems?
(ix) Define corruption.
2. Write a note on child labour and its exploitation.
3. Mention different types of disabilities. Name different legislations enacted in India,
which take care of the disabled.
4. How does corruption obstruct the development of a country?
5. Discuss corruption as a social evil and mention various measures taken by the
Government of India to check it.
6. List some major rights of the child as recommended by the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of the Child-1992.
PROJECT WORK
Find out the total number of child labourers employed in the hotels of your locality
and prepare a report on their education, total working hours and salary. Also work
out their average per hour income.
Find out the total number of aged persons of your locality, and through interview,
find out how many of them are satisfied with the treatment they get from their sons
and daughters-inlaw.