Equality in resources distribution urged

LAHORE: Economic experts on Monday urged the government to ensure equal distribution of resources across the country to attain inclusive growth.
“Addressing inequality requires investment in spheres, which promote inclusion,” said Naveed Anwar Khan, a senior economist. “This includes upgrading people skills and connecting them to inputs.”
Khan said even companies in Pakistan with similar size and scope face inequality when it comes to inputs.
He elaborated the proximity to seaport lessens transportation cost of a company based in Karachi as compared to the same company of Peshawar.
There are huge disparities in efficiency of companies and hence their revenues are different.
“If all the mills operate with similar infrastructure and equal power cost the benefits to workers and owners would be equal,” said Khan.
Economist Yunus Kamran since growth is concentrated in bigger cities they become more valuable in an increasingly networked economy.
“Intellectual property rights overprotecting old ideas may extend power, which not only exacerbates income inequality but also hurts innovation,” said Kamran.
He said inclusive growth ensures resource allocation for development and may generate prosperous and egalitarian society. It is true the rich disproportionately benefits from growth compared with the poor, he added.
“During an accelerated growth period, the state should try to increase economic opportunities and social mobility to address the greater need of the poor.”
Social worker Dr Kishwar Dhingra said when there is resources scarcity the public education deteriorates, and is replaced by an education system exclusive for higher income group.
“This deprives the poor of quality education and hence equal economic opportunities,” said Kishwar. “During rapid growth periods, the poor gets some share in the growth pie; yet inequality remains as high as ever.”
However, during low growth periods, most of the poor experiences no income growth and income inequalities escalate.