Joblessness, marginalization among Gujarat tribals, as govt schemes fail

By Rajiv Shah
The latest Census of India figures have revealed that, despite tall claims of the Gujarat government of development having touched marginalized groups of the state, large sections of the state’s tribal population is facing unprecedented unemployment and marginalization of workforce. An analysis of Census’ data on workers suggests that in the total population of the age group 15 to 34, 2.17 crore, 7.13 lakh persons, or around 3.29 per cent, are found to be seeking jobs. Then there is 9.65 per cent of the population – or 20.93 lakh – in this age group which is forced to work as marginal workers for a period of three to six months in a year. However, a comparison drawn with the two most neglected social groups reveals that while the Dalits of the age group face almost a similar proportion of joblessness and marginalization, the tribals’ predicament remains extremely pitiable.

The Census data go to show that 9.34 per cent of the tribals (2.70 lakh out of 29.67 lakh) – almost triple the proportion of all sections as also Dalits — in this age group are seeking jobs. Worse, 22.46 per cent of the tribals (6.66 lakh out of 27.67 lakh) – or double that of all sections as also Dalits – are forced to work as marginal workers, for a period between three and six months in a year. Thanks lack of job opportunities in the tribal areas, a big proportion of the younger age-group of tribals are known to be forced to migrate out of the backward tribal areas to Gujarat’s metropolitan centres like Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara. They also move to work as migrant workers in the cash rich agricultural fields of South Gujarat, North Gujarat and Saurashtra.
What is particularly astounding is that, tribals make up 38.84 per cent of those who seek jobs in Gujarat in the age-group 15-34 – there are 2.77 lakh tribal job seekers among out of a total of 7.13 lakh. Further, the tribals make up 31.84 per cent of all marginal workers in this age group in Gujarat – 6.66 lakh out of 20.93 lakh. The data do not just suggest that huge regional imbalance continues to exist in Gujarat between the well-off areas of the state and the neglected eastern tribal belt. They also point towards the fact that the 15-point programme, in the name of Adivasi Kalyan Yojna, which the Gujarat government announced almost a decade ago in order to uplift the tribals by building infrastructure facilities in the eastern belt, has not led to any bridging of gap between tribals and non-tribals.
A further analysis of the Census data of the tribals living in the eastern districts of Gujarat – right from Valsad in South Gujarat to Banaskantha in North Gujarat – reveal where the problem lies. Thus, the data go to suggest that the predominantly tribal district of Dahod, which is the hub migration to other parts of Gujarat, has the highest percentage of tribal marginal workers – they form 37.5 per cent of the district’s tribal population of 5.01 lakh of age-group 15-34. Further, 16.97 per cent of the district’s tribal population in this age group is found to be seeking job, which again the highest in Gujarat. Next is Narmada district, which interestingly houses one of India’s most ambitious projects, Narmada dam, now on the verge of completion. with the Government of India granting crucial permission to raise its height to 138.64 metres.

Analysis of the Census data of Narmada shows that the district has 27.22 per cent marginal workers and 12.88 per cent of job seekers out of the total tribal population of 1.60 lakh in the age-group 15-34. Despite huge investments running into tens of thousands of crores of rupees, the dam itself has, apparently, failed to provide employment or bring down marginalization of the workforce of the tribal district. Now, the Gujarat government plans to build world’s highest statue off Narmada dam, again within the district, in the memory or Sardar Patel. Plans have also been worked out to convert the area surrounding the dam into a top tourism destination. Meanwhile, tribals of as many as 70 villages of the district have protested against such a move, as they fear their land will be acquired in order to implement the projects.
The Census data also indicate that the situation is not very different with other districts’ predominantly tribal population. Thus, Sabarkantha district has 24.50 per cent of marginal workers and 11.84 per cent of job seekers out of 1.76 lakh tribal population in the age-group 15-34. Tapi district has 20.13 per cent marginal workers and 8.25 per cent job seeking among tribals of the age group. Valsad district has 18.83 per cent marginal workers and 8.25 per cent job seekers among tribals of the age group. And, the Dangs district has 25.25 per cent marginal workers and 9.60 per cent job seekers of its predominantly tribal population.

Comments

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani* India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas* November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Green Revolution’s reliance on chemical fertilizers, pesticides contributing to Punjab's health crisis

By Bharat Dogra, Jagmohan Singh* Punjab was once synonymous with robust health, particularly in its rural areas, where farmers were known for their strength and vitality. However, in recent years, reports from these villages tell a different story, with rising cases of serious health issues, including cancer. What led to this decline? The answer lies largely in the erosion of good nutrition, once a hallmark of Punjabi village life. The health of a population is closely tied to its nutrition, and Punjab's reputation as a provider of high-quality nutrition has suffered greatly. The loss of biodiversity in agriculture has led to a decrease in the variety and quality of crops, resulting in poorer nutrition. Pulses, a key source of protein, have seen a steep decline in cultivation due to the disruption of traditional farming practices by the Green Revolution. This has had a detrimental effect on both soil and human health. Although pulses are still available in the market, they are exp

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor* Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.

Search This Blog