Conference on social exclusion on Oct 26

New Delhi, Oct 25: Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Arjun Singh, will inaugurate a Conference on 'Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy" tomorrow.

Prof. B.L. Mungekar, member of the Planning Commission, will be the Guest of Honour.

The two-day conference is being organised by the Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, Delhi. This conference is being jointly sponsored by Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, Delhi and Princeton University, Princeton (USA).

The main focus of this conference is to discuss the issue of social exclusion and discrimination faced by marginalized sections of the population such as SC, ST, OBC and religious minorities like Muslims and similar groups.

This is the first conference of its kind which will discuss through presentation of papers, the economic discrimination faced by discriminated groups in various market and non market transactions.

This will include employment market in rural and urban areas, occupation and business, various factors market, services, and also education and health.

Most of the papers are based on original research and will bring new insight on the theme of market and non market discrimination.

In case of labour market discrimination, the conference will discuss the four studies conducted jointly by Indian Institute of Dalit Studies and Princeton University, USA. The studies have been published by Economic and Political Weekly in the form of a special issue.

It will also discuss the discrimination in labour market and occupation in rural areas of Haryana, Orrisa, and Gujarat.

Besides, the conference will also discuss the discriminatory experiences of Dalits in educational institutions and in seeking health services in primary health centre and private doctors.

It will discuss for the first time the inequality in ownership of private enterprise by lower caste and higher castes. Some papers will discuss the discrimination faced by religious groups such as Muslims in economic spheres.

This conference is of significant importance as it will address the most important problem being faced by vast section of population, namely SC, ST, OBC, religious minority like Muslim and women and currently being discussed in the academic and government circles.

Based on the insights from the papers, the conference will also discuss policies to overcome the discrimination.

The discussion will centre on the various aspects of inclusive policy in the spheres of employment, education, health, business and other spheres both in public and private sector.

The participants from various parts of the country will attend the conference. Besides, there are participants from Northern Ireland and USA.

ANI
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