Constraints in the Socio Economic Development of Backward Communities: A case Study of the Dalits of Palakot Areain Baglung, Nepal

Abstract

It is clear that Nepal isanamalgamation of diversity in terms of natural and culturalfeatures. So manymysterious as well as superstitious values and norms of Nepalesesociety have presented the country as a complex cultural combination. Traditionally,Nepalese society has inherited deep roots in the Hindu caste system, with hierarchy ofdifferent groups of people within the system. Traditional social systemsand beliefs have made some communities of societysocially and economically backward. Daltis of Nepal are one of the communities withinHindu caste system whose social, economic health status and participation in social andpolitical activities are lower compared to other communities. They have been sufferingfrom inhuman prejudices, and unbearable discrimination throughout the country.Various practices have been carried out in order to uplift living standard of suchcommunities in different time periods but the Dalits have yet been surviving inmiserable conditions. Progress and prosperity of the countryside isbeing disturbedbysuch conditions. In this context, this study is an attempt to identity barriers in thesocioeconomic development of the Dalit community concentrated only in the Palakotarea of Baglung district. The overall socioeconomic condition of the people in this area is approximatelysimilar to the rest of theNepalese countryside. Sarki, Damai and Kami are the Dalitcastes in this area. Population of the Dalits covers 19.08 percent (842) of the totalpopulation in this area who live in 143 households. About 48 percent (70) of totalhouseholds have been taken as respondents usingthe stratified samplingmethod. In spite of so many promotional practices, there is no remarkable alternation,progress and prosperity in the overall socioeconomic condition of the Dalits in this area.Unfavorable customs and superstitious thinking in thesociety, onone side, economicbackwardness, on the other, have compelled them to survive miserably. Inherenttraditional occupationsof the Dalits have been going towards vulnerable condition dueto lack of competitive capacity and advancement. Likewise, inadequate promotionalpractices and lack of continuity of appropriate programmes are also themajor factorsbehindthebackwardness of these communities. Social and economic developments are closely related, i.e., they areinterdependent variables. Thus, equalemphasisshould be given on social and economicfactors fortheoverall developmentof Dalit communities.