In which way the middle class people participate in the Non -Cooperation movement in the cities? Explain its impact on the economic front?
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Answer:
REPORT OF STUDY GROUP
Note on Urban Issues and Middle Class
INCREASING URBAN POPULATION
According to the 2011 census, the urban population in our country is now 32% of the total. For the first time, the rate of increase in the urban population is higher than in the rural. During 1971-81, the increased rate of urbanization was caused by the expansion of the public sector. Then, until 2001 when it again registered an increase, it came down. The main factors contributing to this increase in the urban population is migration from the villages and the merger of adjacent villages into urban centers. However, urbanization in our country is still less than that experienced in China.
Reasons for increasing urbanization:
• With agriculture becoming less remunerative, members of the younger generation in rural areas are migrating to the urban areas in order to better their prospects. A section of the rich peasants is also shifting from agriculture to setting up businesses in urban areas. Members of the rural rich are also settling in urban areas in order to make quality education available to their children.
• Children of the rural rich and middle class sections in villages are attending English medium schools in urban areas. This makes them accustomed to urban ways of life from early childhood.
• Because employment in agriculture is dwindling, agricultural workers are migrating to urban areas in large numbers.
• Dalits are migrating to the relative safety of urban areas to escape atrocities and discrimination.
EXPANSION OF CITIES AND TOWNS
Between 1951 and 2001, there was an increase in the number of towns and cities by a total of 2125. This figure increased to 2771 between 2001 and 2011. It should be noted that a change in census definitions has also contributed to this abnormal increase. The share of income from urban areas in the total GDP is also rising steadily and is currently 60%. Towns are administrative, employment-generating and political centers. This also means that they are becoming the centers for agitations and mass movements.
Development, wealth and amenities are concentrated in towns. Since investment in real estate and construction has increased, investment in basic amenities has also got a boost. Slums and new townships are springing up simultaneously with one another. The urban rich belonging to all castes and religions are moving from the old city-centers to the suburbs and surrounding areas. The old areas are suffering from neglect. The processes of urban development are excluding the poor, middle-class and backward social groups.
New problems are being created. Shortage of housing is a serious issue and, it is calculated there is a shortfall of 2 crore dwellings. Completely ignoring this major issue, the Government has announced that it will build 100 smart cities and has allocated 7,000 crores for this in the recent Budget. The ground is also being prepared to raise the taxes necessary for mobilizing funds for this project.