Migration and growth :

Lure of urbanisation in India

Authors

  • Deepanjli Saraf Independent Researcher
  • Milindo Chakrabarti O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonepat

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54945/jjpp.v7i1.208

Abstract

This paper examines the role of the Indian informal sector in the process of urbanisation and checks whether models of migration curated by economists are applicable in explaining their role in reducing the dualism that hinders development. The study has been limited to the Indian urban sector (non-agriculture) and the analysis is based on several data sources. Calculated wage differences in the workforce show a persistent urban-rural wage gap over a span of time; the wage gap between regular/ salaried employees and casual labour present at any point of time captures the informalisation of the urban economy. Labour segregation based on skill set and the bifurcation of migrants based on duration of stay are two factors missed by models of migration. The results reveal a substantial contribution by the informal sector in the urbanisation process, in which low-income unskilled rural migrants execute a noteworthy role. In addition, these results share the failure of models of migration to explain the continuation of the informal economy in India.

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Author Biographies

Deepanjli Saraf, Independent Researcher

Deepanjli Saraf is currently an independent researcher in the field of public policy. Her research interest lies in the area of urban sector, programme evaluation and impact assessment. Prior to this, the author was a Graduate Research Immersion Program (GRIP) Fellow at O.P. Jindal Global University. Deepanjli has a Master's degree in Public Policy from Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat and Master's degree in Economics from Indira Gandhi National Open University. She has a bachelor's degree in Economics, Public Administration and Sociology with honors in Public Administration from Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Milindo Chakrabarti, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonepat

Prof. (Dr.) Milindo Chakrabarti is a Professor at Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonepat. Prof. Chakrabarti has experience of over 27 years as a Professor of Microeconomics, International Trade & Business, Environmental Economics, Indian Economics and Development Economics, nationally and internationally. Along with his long-standing career in teaching, Dr. Chakrabarti holds Research Experience of 27 years and has written and published numerous research papers, articles and books from India and abroad. Dr. Chakrabarti has extensive experience in policy development and practice and vast knowledge and experience working in different sectors such as natural resources, social sectors, rural development, key crosscutting issues, environment, governance and institutional development. In his list of professional affiliations, he has also been a Member of the Western Economic Association International, USA, Executive Director of the Development Evaluation Society of India (DESI) and also Member, Network of the Network on Impact Evaluation (NONIE)

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Published

2023-04-01

How to Cite

Saraf, D., & Chakrabarti, M. (2023). Migration and growth :: Lure of urbanisation in India. Jindal Journal of Public Policy, 7(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.54945/jjpp.v7i1.208

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