GENERAL SURVEY
SECTION I-POPULATION
Scheduled Castes According to 1981 census, the Scheduled Castes numbering 10. 5 crores form 15.8% of the total population in the country. Their percentage to total population in 1971 was 14.6. Out of the total SC population, more than 50% live in 4 States namely, Uttar Pradesh (2.3 crores), West Bengal (1.2 crores), Bihar (1.0 crores) and Tamil Nadu(0.9 crores). Their population is negligible in the States of Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland in the North-Eastern Region and the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep Islands. In other States and Union Territories, it varies from around 7 % in Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Sikkim to more than 20% in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Scheduled Tribes The Scheduled Tribes population, as per 1981 census, is 5.2 crores and constitutes 7.8% of the country's total population. Their percentage to total population in 1971 was 6.9. The Scheduled Tribes are mainly concentrated in the States of Madhya Pradesh (1.20 crores), Orissa (0. 59 crores) Bihar (0. 59 crores), Maharashtra (0.58 crores), Gujarat (0. 48 crores), Rajasthan (0. 42 crores), Andhra Pradesh (0.32 crores) and West Bengal (0.31 crores). The tribal population in these States constitutes more than 3/4th of the total tribal population in the country. However, the states of Nagaland and Meghalaya and Union Territories of Lakshadweep 'and 'Mizoram are in the group of States/ UTs having more than 80% of their population as scheduled tribes, though the combined strength of Scheduled Tribes population in them is 22 lakhs only.
The state-wise details of population of SC/ST as per 1971 and 1981 census can be seen in Table 1. In Table 2 States have been ranked according to the size of SC population and in Table 3 according to the size of ST population.
SECTION II-LITERACY There is large variation among the-level of literacy achieved by various States and union Territories. This is briefly discussed below separately for SC and ST.
Scheduled Castes According to 1981 census, the State-wise literacy rates among SC vary from 10.40% in Bihar to 55.96% in Kerala. In case of the literacy rates for SC females, these vary from 2.51 % in Bihar to 49.73 % in Kerala. In case of UTs, these vary from 21.21 % in Pondicherry to 53.33 % in Mizoram. In ranking the states according to literacy rates Of SCs, Kerala and Gujarat top the list, while Rajasthan and Bihar are at the bottom. The literacy rates for SC females are very discouraging, particularly in the states of Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh where these are lessthan even 5 % in 1981. It is seen that there is an improvement in ranking of the SC literacy rates in some of the states namely Himachal Pradesh (from rank 9 in 1971 to 6 in 1981), Jammu & Kashmir (from rank 17 in 1971 to 12 in 1981), Sikkim (from rank 1.1 in 1971 to 8 in 1981) and Tripura ( from rank 7 in 1971 to 4 in 198 1). Of course, Assam, an educationally forward state has not been included for ranking in 1981 due to lack of data.
Scheduled Tribes There is a large variation in literacy rates of STs among the various states. According to 1981 census, the literacy rates of ST vary from 14.04% in Arunachal Pradesh to 59.63% in Mizoram. In all the UTs the literacy rates are higher than the national average of 16.35% except in case of Arunachal Pradesh where it is slightly lower. The literacy rates for ST are lower than the national average of 16.35% in the States of Andhra Pradesh (7.82), Madhya Pradesh (10.68), Orissa (13.96), Rajasthan (10.27)
2
4
and West Bengal(13.21). These rates are much lower in case of ST females, where these vary from 1.20%. in Rajasthan to 32.99 % in Nagaland. The ST female literacy rates are distressingly low in the states of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal where they vary from 1% to 5%.The literacy rates of scheduled tribes art comparatively better in the states of Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim, Kerala and, Meghalaya (all in the North-Eastern region except Kerala).
A noteworthy feature in the statewise comparison, is the improvement made by some states during 1971-81 in their ranting on the one hand and coming to a lower position by some other states on the other. For example, the states of Maharashtra (from rank 11 in 1971 to 8 in 1981), Nagaland (from rank. 5 to 1) and Tamil Nadu '(from rank, to 10) showed better performance by improving their position, whereas the states of Karnataka (from rank 8 to 12) and Meghalaya (from rank 2 to 5) got displaced to lower positions.
The state-wise details of literacy rates of SC and ST in comparison with other communities and their interse ranking could be seen in Tables 4 and 5 respectively.
SECTION III-ENROLMENT The enrolment ratios* of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students at Primary Stage (Classes I to V) increased from 61.5 % and 53.1% respectively in , 1970-71 to 82.2% and 70% respectively in 1980- 81. Similarly the corresponding enrolment ratios at Middle Stage (Classes VI-to VIII) increased from, 20.6 % and 13.8 % in 1970-71 to 29.1% % and 19.5 % respectively in 1980-81. However, the enrolment ratios of SC/ST students are much lower than the corresponding enrolment ratios for students belonging to other communities. There is also much variation in the enrolment ratios of the SC/ST students in various States. The enrolment ratios are particularly low in case of SC/ST girls as compared to boys. These are discussed below separately for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes:-
Scheduled Castes (a) Primary Stage-The enrolment ratio of SC students at primary stage in 1980-81, was 82.2 % at all-India level as compared to 84.5% for students belonging to other communities. In case of SC girls the enrolment ratio was 57.8% only as compared to 69.9% for girls belonging to other communities. Whereas there was sex wise variation in the level of enrolment ratio achieved there, was also much variation between different States. In 1980-81, there were 10 States/ UTs where the SC enrolment ratio, was about 100% or more. These were Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Delhi and Goa, Daman and Diu. The enrolment ratio was above 90 % in case of Assam (94.8 %) and Pondicherry (99.1%). In other States/UTs the enrolment ratio varied between 51 % in Bihar and Rajasthan to 86.61/ Chandigarh. The enrolment ratio was between 50 % to 60 % in three States (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan); between 60 % to 70% in 4 States (Haryana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal); between 70% to 80%. in two States (Jammu and Kashmir, and Orissa) and between 80% to 90 % in Chandigarh. In case of enrolment ratios for SC girls the enrolment ratios were particularly low. There were only 7 states/UTs. where the enrolment ratio-for SC and ST girls was 100% and above. These were Kerala, Manipur, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Delhi and Goa, Daman and Diu. In other States the enrolment ratios varied between 15.7 % in Rajasthan to 99%. in Andhra Pradesh. The enrolment ratio was lower than 30% in States of Rajasthan (15.7% Bihar (21. 1 %) and Madhya Pradesh (27.o%) (b) Middle Stage-The enrolment ratio of SC students at middle stage in 1980-81 was 29. 1% at all-India level as compared to 44.2 % for students belonging to non SC/ST communities. In case of ST girls, the entrolment ratio was 16.2 % only as against 31.1% for girls belonging to other communities. The State-wise enrolment ratio was 100% or above in cast of only one State i . e. Kerala. It was between 80 % to 100% again in case of one State Union Territory, i.e., Goa, Daman and Diu (81.2 %). The enrolment ratio varied between 50 % to 70 % in Pondicherry (53. 1%) Manipur (56. 0 %), Assam (59. 1 %), and Delhi (64.7%). In all other STates/UTs the enrolment ratio was less than 50% where
*Enrolment Ratio=Enrolment of SC/ST students on rolls/Population of SC/ST in the Corresponding age-group.*100
6
it varied between 11.5% in Bihar to 49.7% in Gujarat. In case of SC girls, the enrolment ratio was 100% in Kerala followed by 53.4% in Goa, Damana and Diu. The enrolment ratio was less than 10% in the States of Rajasthan (2.5%), Bihar (2.9%), Uttar Pradesh (6.3%), Haryana (8.0%), Orissa (8.5%) Madhya Pradesh (8.7%) and West Bengal (9.9 %).
Scheduled Tribes (a) Primary Stage-The enrolment ratio for SC students at primary stage (Classes I to V) at all India level in 1980-81 was 70.0% as compared to 84.5% for students belonging to non-SC/ST communities. This ratio was even lower than that of SC which was 82.2%. Similarly the enrolment ratio of ST girls was 45.9 % as against 69.9 % for girls belonging to non SC/ST communities and 57.80%, separately for SC girls. There were, large variations in the enrolment ratios achieved by the different States.
In 1980-81, there were 7 States/UTs where the enrolment ratio was 100% or above, These were the States of Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep. The enrolmentratio was above 90% in the States of Gujarat and Kerala. In other States the enrolment ratio varied from 39.8 % in Madhya Pradesh to 82.6 % in Maharashtra. In case of ST girls the enrolment ratios were very low in States of Rajasthan (12.1%), Madhya Pradesh (20.7%), West Bengal (31.8%), Tamilnadu (34.5%) and Orissa (42.3 %).
(b) Middle Stage-The enrolment ratio of ST students at middle stage in 1980-81 was 17.8% at all-India level as compared to 44.2% for non-SC/ST communities and 29.1% for SC. In case of ST girls the enrolment ratio at this stage was 10.8% only as against 31.1% for non- SC/ST communities and 16.2% for Scheduled Castes. Statewise enrolment ratios were 100% or above in Nagaland and Lakshadweep. It was above 70% and below 100% in one State only i.e. Karnataka (71.1 %). It was between 50% to 70% again in one State i.e. Manipur (53.2%). it was less than 50% in other States/UTs where it varied between 8.3 % in West Bengal to 47.8 in Kerla. In case of ST girls the enrolment ratio was around 100 % in Nagaland only. It was 70.7 % in Lakshadweep. In all other States/UTs. the enrolment ratio was less than 50%. It was very low in the States of Rajasthan (1.4%), Madhya Pradesh (4.1 %) Andhra Pradesh (4.5%), West Bengal (5.4%), Orissa (5.9%), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (6.4%), Bihar (8.7%) and Maharashtra (9. 1%).
The Statewise details call be seen in Tables 6 to 13.
SECTION IV-SCHEDULED CASTE AND SCHEDULED TRIBE TEACHERS The latest data on SC & ST teachers is available only for the year 1978-79. There were 2.06 lakh SC teachers working in institutions at school level. This formed 6.88 % of the total number of teachers at this stage. The number of Scheduled Tribe teachers was 1.05 lakhs constituting 3.52% of the total. At collegiate level, the number of scheduled caste teachers was 4126 forming 1.65 % of the total teachers at this stage. The correspoending number of scheduled tribe- teachers was 1494 constituting only 0.60% of the total teachers. The total number of scheduled caste teachers (school plus collegiate levels) was 2. 10 lakh is and formed 6.97% of the total teachers. Correspondingly, the number of scheduled tribe teachers was 1.07 lakhs and its percentage to total number of teachers was 3.30%.
Thus it will be seen that the proportions of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe teachers to total number of teachers were much less than their corresponding population proportions. To have a clear picture of the number, of scheduled. caste and scheduled tribe teachers in relation to the population proportion of scheduled castes scheduled tribe all indicator-co-efficient of the equality-has been worked out as under:-
Co-efficient of equality= Percentage of SC/ST teachers to total teachers/percentage of SC/ST population to total population*100
8
If the value of co-efficient of equality is more than 100, it shows that the Appointment of scheduled caste or scheduled, tribe teachers is better thin their population proportion and if the value is less than 100 it indicates under, representation SC/ST teachers in relation to their population. The State-wise position of percentage of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe teachers to total number of tecachers and the corresponding co-efficient of equality have been shown in Table 14 and discussed below:
Scheduled Castes There were only two States, namely, Gujarat and Maharashtra, where there presentation of scheduled caste teachers is better than their population proportion and accordingly their co-efficient of equality is more than 100. In all other States there is a strong case for improving the representation of schedule caste teachers. The average co-efficient of equality for country as a whole works out to 43.2 %. There were 15 States 'where representation of scheduled caste teachers was less than the national average. The ratio is particularly low i.e. less than 20% in case of the States of Haryana(16.9) and Delhi (19.5).
Scheduled Tribes The co-efficient of equality of scheduled tribe teachers for the country as a whole works out to only 44.1%. In all States other than Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland (which have predominant ST population), the representation of scheduled tribe teachers was less than 100. The representation of scheduled tribe teachers was lower than the national average in the States of Andhra Pradesh (11.7 %), kerala (11.1 %), Madhya Pradesh (27.6 %) Maharashtra, (32.8 %), Orissa (29.4.%), Rajasthan (15.6 %), Tripura (27.6 %), West Bengal (20.4 %), A & N Islands (13.5 %), Arunachal Pradesh (15.6%), and Goa, Daman and Diu (10.8%).
SECTION V- ADULT EDUCATION The Adult Education Programme has been accorded high priority by its inclusion in the new 20-Point Programme and the Minimum Needs Programme. The Sixth Plan document envisages coverage of entire adult illiterate population by the year 1990 which is estimated to be around 11 crores. The major schemes under implementation are Rural Functional Literacy projects, State Adult Education programmes, post- literacy and follow up programme, Assistance to Voluntary Agencies working in the field of Adult Education and Shramik Vidya Peeths. In all the schemes emphasis is being placed on provision of facilities to scheduled 'castes, scheduled tribes and women.
Table 15 gives the total enrolment of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and the rest in the Adult Education programmes. Sex-wise break-up of enrolment has also been given wherever available. The percentage of enrolment of the different groups have been worked out.
Table 16 gives the co-efficient of equality for the different groups viz. schedule castes, schedule tribes and the rest for total and female population. Co-efficient of equality here is the ratio of percentage of enrolment to the percentage of illiterate population. Thus co-efficient of equality-for schedule caste women would be:-
Percent-age, of enrolment of SC women to . total women enrolment * 100 Percentage of SC women illiterate population to total illiterate women population.
The numerator refers to the age-group 15-35 and the reference date is 31-12-1983. For denominator we have taken the 1981 census figures and the age-group is 5 years and above. These have been used as the population figures for the required reference date is not available and so is the population figures for the age group 15-35. However, the ratio, it is hoped, would be good indicator of the co- efficient of equality. It is seen from the table that in almost the States, the co-efficient of equality exceeds hundred both for schedule castes and schedule tribes and which reflects the special efforts, being made to enroll Persons from weaker sections of the society.
Of course, the coverage upto 1982-83 is only 1.4 crores while the total illiterate population is about 11 crores and thus there is a long way to go.
SECTION VI-POST-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SC/ST A Central Scheme of grant of scholarships to scheduled caste/scheduled tribe students getting admission to a recognised course of higher education is being administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Under this scheme the number of scholarships has grown to 7.51 lacs with an expenditure of Rs.74.58 crores in 1982-83. There is a constant
10
growth in the number of beneficiaries under this scheme, since all SC/ST students who get admission for a postmatric course are eligible for award of scholarship under this scheme subject to an income criteria and the award of scholarships limited to two children of a SC/ST family. The State-wise utilisation of scholarships separately for, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe students for the year 1982-83 is shown in Table 17.
Scheduled Castes The largest number of scholarships to scheduled caste students have been granted by Uttar Pradesh, numbering 1. 60 lakhs and forming 25.6 % of the total scholarships sanctioned during 1982-83. The other States in order of utilisation of these scholarships are : Andhra Pradesh (85 thousand), Maharashtra (84 thousand), Tamil Nadu (51 thou- sand), West Bengal (42 thousand) and Karnataka (40 thousand).
Scheduled Tribes The State-wise utilisation was maximum in Bihar (21 thousand), followed by Gujarat (18 thousand), Maharashtra (15 thousand) and Assam (11 thousand) . Since there are no scheduled tribes in the States of Haryana, J & K and Punjab, there are no beneficiaries of the scheme in these States. The number of beneficiaries was very small in the States of Sikkim (125) and Uttar Pradesh (940) on account of low number of STs in these States. In case of Union Territories, Mizoram alone shows significant number of beneficiaries, 7578 in 1982-83.
State-wise details may be seen in Table 17.
13