Opportunities for Scheduled Caste Communities of South Odisha in Private Sector

Authors

  • Dr. Kapila Khemundu , Dr. Krushna Chetty

Abstract

The scheduled caste community of south Odisha is one of the neglected and backward marginal
communities. Despite possible opportunities in private sector Companies and MSME Industries, the socioeconomic
condition of the region where large number of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe population
are living. The lack of development strategies both in government as well as private sector, the Scheduled
Caste people of Southern Odisha are suffering a lot. Southern Odisha has the largest minerals like bauxite,
chromite, zinc, china clay and other minerals. Now it is a major place of attraction for economic growth and
mineral hub of India. There the possibility of establishing increasing numbers of small medium and large
industries for the economic development of the nation. Hence the rich natural resources of Southern Odisha
is a nice destination for establishing Industries and having the potential opportunities for creating job
opportunities for marginalized sections of the society including scheduled caste community for their
improvement in socio-economic conditions. But the unhealthy social relations of Scheduled Castes
categories and upper caste are needed to be addressed. Historically the upper caste people continue to
suppress SCs and other lower strata in Indian Society. With the social reformation today the Scheduled
Caste people are getting an increasing job opportunity in industries. Education and skill is an important
criteria among the Scheduled Caste which distinct between them and the upper castes. Another key factor is
that the Southern Odisha’s SCs communities are the original inhabitants to this place, they born and brought
up in these natural hill terrain and forest areas. All the hills and forests are their own conserved assets.
Therefore, the industrial establishments need to create employment opportunities for this marginalized
people. There is an urgent need to improve the lives of excluded Scheduled Caste people from their socioeconomic,
political empowerment. As a development strategy required to eliminate poverty, hunger, provide
quality education, good health and wellbeing, need to increasing more industries and employments,
entrepreneurship development, innovation, infrastructures in South Odisha asserting their constitutional
fundamental rights, basic human rights, peace, justice and strong social institutions that could adequately
address their issues. This paper is an attempt to highlight the possible economic opportunities in private
sector for Scheduled Caste communities in South Odisha and their developmental challenges. The study is
based on government reports and statistical information with some supplementary information obtained
from the secondary sources of information

Published

2020-03-25

Issue

Section

Articles