(This is a series of two articles written from the shared findings of the Access (In)Equality Index, produced by the Centre for New Economics Studies, OP Jindal Global University, critically analysing the status of access inequity in four election states, ie, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.)
As the elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir draw near, it becomes crucial to evaluate the performance of respective governments in ensuring their respective state population's access to opportunities for their citizens. The question we ask/assess here is to what extent have any meaningful strides been made in improving access to basic amenities like healthcare, education, socio-economic security, and legal recourse? How effectively are the state administrations tackling the entrenched inequalities within their regions?
The progress—or the lack of it—in these areas provides a window into how governments are prioritising the needs of their populations. Are they narrowing the gap between the privileged and the marginalised, providing access to all, or are they allowing disparities to widen further?