Socio Economic Development of the Scheduled Castes of Assam

Abstract

This book contains some selective papers written by eminent scholars, writers, and social workers in connection with the seminar on Socio Economic Development of the Scheduled Castes of Assam held on September, 1990 at Guwahati. Most of the papers included in this book are based on empirical studies. As many as sixteen papers have been included in this volume. Most of the papers tried to throw light on the problems of the Scheduled Castes population residing in various pockets of Assam. It is discussed in the papers that scheduled castes of Assam are composed of sixteen distinct Jatis or exogamous groups. Of course, two groups are advanced and more or less at par with other backward classes in regard to economic condition. The Namasudras and the Kaivartas are the dominant scheduled caste group of Assam. A state level survey report 1984 revealed that more than 91% scheduled castes in rural areas are below the poverty line against states total of 51.10% in 1977-78. Compared to other sections of people, very little amount of change or mobility is taking place in their social and economic life. Hence real problems are the absence of dynamism in the social life of the Scheduled Caste people and social immobility is due to the absence of real education among them. Moreover indebtedness and traditional occupation are more obvious and significant socio-economic problems in their development. Nevertheless landlessness and over growth are more hindering factor in their socio-economic development.The Political and Economic safeguards provided for the Schedule Castes of Assam by the Constitution makers granting justice in Economic, Political and Social fields to the Scheduled Castes in the Preamble to the Constitution have not been properly implemented