ABSTRACT
The extant literature identifies social justice as a critical determinant of better economic performance by impacting a set of proximate causes. However, economic growth can also lead to improvements in social justice through a positive effect on these causes. We investigate this phenomenon for the agricultural households in Bihar against the backdrop of the state’s stellar economic performance over the last two decades. Specifically, we study the evolution of access to physical capital, financial capital, and technology across caste-based groups in agricultural households. To carry out our analysis, data from three rounds of the Situation Assessment Survey, conducted by the NSSO in 2002–03, 2012–13, and 2018–19, respectively, have been used. These rounds are appropriate, given that the first survey was conducted just before the growth rate took off, the second survey took place after the state experienced the increased growth rate for a considerable time, and the third survey took place after the growth rate in the state plateaued. We also draw a comparison with All-India to underline the differences in the evolution of these factors in Bihar. While the within-state comparison among the social groups and the comparison between Bihar and All-India across the social groups reveal some progress in social justice over time, the changes are not uniform across all parameters of our consideration. Policy measures, especially targeting the disadvantaged castes, are required to bridge the gap further.
