Understanding Socioeconomic Conditions of Rural Households

Abstract

Reflections of Indian economy expose paradoxical nature of Indian democracy. Rapid and steady growth with adverse socio-economic conditions has become an important attribute of Indian economy. A review of recently released Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) presents harsh realities of socio-economic conditions of the rural households. With an aim to understand socio-economic conditions of Empowered Actions Group of States (EAGS), this article, using SECC 2011, attempts to examine variations among States on the basis of income slab, income source and irrigated land ownership. Results suggest that a large number of EAGS households are engaged in subsistence work like manual casual labour and cultivation. SC households of rural India and particularly Bihar among EAG States are major social group relying greatly on subsistence wage labour. Severe lack of irrigated land ownership among SC/ST households leads them to engage in subsistence work and result is low income and social exclusion. Significance of SECC 2011 lies in the fact that it has reminded and reproduced an opportunity to rethink development strategies to ensure social justice in the country.