Explain with examples the causes of inequality in india

The main reasons are the following:

1. Unemployment:

The main reason for low level of income of the majority of Indian people is unemployment and underemployment and the consequent low productivity of labour. Low la­bour productivity implies low rate of economic growth which is the main cause of poverty and inequality of the large masses of people. In fact, inequality, poverty and unemployment are inter­related. Since sufficient employment could not be created through the process of planned economic development, it was not possible to increase the income levels of most people.

2. Inflation:

Another cause of inequality is inflation. During inflation, few profit earners gain and most wage earners lose. This is exactly what has happened in India. Since wages have lagged behind prices, profits have increased. This has cre­ated more and more inequality. Moreover, during inflation, money income increases no doubt but real income falls. And this leads to a fall in the standard of living of the poor people since their purchasing power falls

3. Tax Evasion:

In India, the personal in­come tax rates are very high. High tax rates en­courage evasion and avoidance and give birth to a parallel economy. This is exactly what has hap­pened in India during the plan period. Here, the unofficial economy is as strong as (if not stronger than) the official economy. High tax rates are re­sponsible for inequality in the distribution of in­come and wealth. This is due to undue concentra­tion of incomes in a few hands caused by large- scale tax evasion.

4. Regressive Tax:

The indirect taxes give maximum revenue to the government. But they are regressive in nature. Such taxes have also cre­ated more and more inequality over the years due to growing dependence of the Government on such taxes.

5. New Agricultural Strategy:

No doubt, India’s new agricultural strategy led to the Green Revolution and raised agricultural productivity. But the benefits of higher productivity were en­joyed mainly by the rich farmers and landowners. At the same time, the economic conditions of lan­dless workers and marginal farmers deteriorated over the years. Most farmers in India could not enjoy the-benefits of higher agricultural produc­tivity. As a result, inequality in the distribution of income in the rural areas has increased.