Data Hand Book On STs & SCs Of Orissa

Abstract

The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) constitute an important segment of Odishas population. Together they accounted for nearly 40 percent of the total population of the State. Since Independence, in consonance with the constitutional provisions, the Welfare Government is making all-out efforts to bring about all-round development of the weaker sections of the society, particularly the SCs and STs in order to integrate them with the mainstream of population. To achieve these objectives suitable plans and programmes are being devised and implemented among these groups during different Five-Year Plans. The importance of basic statistical data assumes utmost importance for proper scientific planning. When we attempt to make such exercise for the SCs and STs, we look for these basic data on them and contact several organizations to get the same and spend a lot of time in the process. The only source for us is the Census Organization, Govt. of India. Very little attempt has been made so far to compile basic demographic data on SCs and STs relating to different Census years at one place in the form of a book. SCSTRTI, being the premier Research Organization of the State engaged in conducting research among the Sch. Castes and Sch. Tribes of our State, scholars from outside often come to this Institute in search of demographic data on SCs and STs to meet their requirement. During our interaction many of them have advised us to bring out a publication based on compilation of Statistical data on STs and SCs of Orissa. Therefore, the need for bringing out a publication of this type was felt quite for some time. It contains State, District, ITDA and Block-wise compilation of Census data from 1961 to 2001 on broad demographic-parameters. Such a publication will not only serve the institutes internal need but also be helpful to the Planners, Researchers, Academicians, Social Scientists, Development Administrators, and the General Public as a whole engaged in the task of development and research among STs and SCs.