[The book] by noted Indian economist K.S. Chalam, Caste-based Reservations and Human Development in India, is worth a read. The title is self-explanatory. Where it is quite different from similar works is how it deals with the subject of caste. It does not pre-suppose that the caste system is either bad or good. It is not moralistic in terms of calling for a movement to abolish the system.
Caste-based Reservations and Human Development in India by K S Chalam charts a difficult course…. What makes this publication interesting and worth a serious look is the route taken by Chalam. Instead of sticking to cliché’s and calls in the thin air about “social justice”, he has decided to take the road less travelled. Methodically, through data culled from NSSO rounds, the Census reports and other studies, he has constructed more than a hundred tables…. Brings a refreshing wealth of data to ground the debate on reservations in recent history.
The well-researched publication should be of immense value to those who wish to specialise in the economy of India.
The book presents a chronological description of the reservation policy in India. It also deals with the role of the state during the colonial period and independent India….The book analyses the impact of caste-based reservations on the target groups, as well as on major human development indices….Providing an informed perspective on an issue that is of immense topical relevance, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of development studies, policy planning and international relations.
Caste-based Reservations and Human Development in India analyses the impact of such reservations on the target groups and on major human development indices, taking into account time series data. An alternative strategy of applying the democratic principle of caste-based reservation is discussed.
The book gives a good insight into the impact of caste in all spheres of human life and all conclusions are based on statistical data rather than mere subjective interpretations…A goog book to read in the present social and economic Indian Scenario.
K S Chalam’s slim volume is an attempt to recollect the arguments for reservations, remove some ot the misconceptions that gained currency since the V P Singh government’s move to introduce the Mandal Commission recommendations, and also to look at the notion of reservations in a post-liberalised, open economy.