Notwithstanding the various special developmental measures initiated since the First Five Year Plan, majority of dalits particularly SCs have remained as agricultural labourers. There is a substantial gap in the level of development between SC/ST population and others. There is a need for strict implementation of land reforms, redistribution of surplus and waste lands particularly among Scheduled Caste agriculture labourers and marginal farmers. There is also need for increasing the outlay on welfare for SCs/STs. The state should provide micro-credit to improve their productivity and financial assistance to improve their educational level.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Ahluwalia I.J., (1991): Productivity and growth in Indian manufacturing, Oxford University Press, Delhi.
2.
“Estimates of poverty for SC, ST and female-headed household,” Economic and Political Weekly, July 29,2000, Vol. XXXV, No. 311.
3.
Gosh P.K., and Chakrabarthy, G. (1997): “Uneven Growth of literacy across major States: Performance of SCs and STs,” paper submitted in National Seminar on Neo-Economic Policy and Social Groups held at Jawaharlal Nehru University during 3-5, April, 1997.
4.
Government of India, (1992): VIII Five Year Plan Vol. II.
5.
Government of India, Report of the Commissioner for SCs and STs. 1986-87.
6.
Government of India, Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment, Dept. of Rural Development (1999), Quarterly (Cumulative) Progress of Report on the implementation of land ceiling laws (September).
7.
Haque T., (1995): “Role of land reform in rural development in the wake of economic liberalisation,” Kurukshetra Annual Number (October).
8.
Hashim, S.R.: “Indian poverty and the poverty alleviation programmes-An overview” paper submitted for the National Workshop on Planning and Management of development projects for SC/ST/OBC,” Nov., 24-29, 1997.
9.
Macus Franda, (1979): India's Rural Develonment, Indian University Press, Bloomington and London.
10.
Meenakshi, J., V., Ranjan Ray and Souvik Gupta (2000): “Estimates of poverty for SC, ST and female-headed households,” Economic and Political Weekly, (JuIy-AugUst) 2000, Vol. XXXV, No, 31.
11.
Nancharaiah G, (1988): Land and Caste, Himalaya Publishing House, Bombay.
12.
Nancharaiah G ., (1990): “The Changing position of SCs as agricultural labourers in the labour market,” Social Action, Vol, 40, No. 2 (April- June).
13.
National Commission for SC/ST. Fourth Reoort—1996-97 & 1997-98.
