Development and Use of Productive Potential of SC & ST People in the Changing Business Scenario: A Case Study of Odisha, India

Abstract

Economic growth paved the way for the major goals to be achieved in the first few five year plans. The assumption was that economic growth would automatically solve the problems of poverty, unemployment and lack of basic needs. Due to the necessity of building up adequate infrastructure in the industrial, power and irrigation sectors, the percolation effect was also expected to operate. As we gathered some momentum in infrastructure, expertise in the adequacy of percolation effect, creating distance between the GNP and Unemployment, the question of Social Justice became important. There is a wide range of disparities among different section of population in India. Especially the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) sections of the population are socially, educationally, economically weaker than the other sections of the population. One of the major concerns of Indian planning has been the removal of disparities among different section of the population. In order to correct some of these imbalances the Planning Commission emphasized the need for district level planning. The state Odisha constitutes as many as 62 tribal communities which are about 22% of the total population of the state. The district Mayurbhanj of Odisha consists 60% of its population as STs, majority of whose living standards are below poverty line and also said to be land of tribal. Out of 62 communities, 45 communities of tribal can be found in the district like Santal, Ho, Bhumija, Bhuyan, Bhathudi, Kolha, Munda, Gond, Kharia, Lodha and Dungaria etc. However some of its villages are up to the mark in the process of developing. Therefore the researchers are putting their efforts to utilize the productive potential of those STs as a means to an end to help the emergence of healthy, talented and successful intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs those can take over challenges of responsibility among them for their economic growth by establishing enterprises at rural areas. The district is endowed with vast natural resources-mineral, agricultural and forest wealth. Water resources are plentiful. Potential of agriculture is unlimited. The development should be paired with this abundant natural resources with a mission of a broader, deeper and more dynamic process of learning and change, aimed at creating appropriate and equitable human activity system and ways of life (i.e., culture) for a greater sustainable development. This is the true aim of the study at district level.