Socio-Economic Status of Dalit Community: A Case study of Buddhashanti Rural Municipality-3, Jhapa District

Abstract

The present study entitled Socio-economic Status of Dalit Community: A Cast Study of Buddhashanti Rural Municipality-3, Jhapa District was conducted aiming to analyze the socio-economic status and their livelihood aspects of Dalit of the study area. The objectives were to explore the economic status, social, cultural practice of Dalit in order to face of Dalit community. Both the primary and the secondary sources of data were used for the study. Primary data were collected through interview and observation of the field. While the secondary data were collected from Ward office and various published and unpublished books and reports. Out of the total only 28 households were selected following purposive sampling method and descriptive cum exploratory research design had been applied in the study. The common housing type of the Dalits is the houses having brick wall and zinc roof and common family type is joint. The total literacy rate is 33% with 42.7% male and 24.2% female. Dalit society is full of superstitions Majority of the Dalit households possess less than 3 katthhas of land which is not enough for growing for their livelihood. Large portion of Dalits have their traditional occupation. Most of the respondents have the annual the income less than Rs. 100000 per year. The Dalits' access to the political parties is only up to the municipal level. The participation of Dalit community in the formation of government is nominal. The government should implement strong plans for Dalit inclusion, skill based training and technical support to change their subsistence level agriculture in commercialization. Awareness campaigns are to be carried out effectively. Attitude and perceptions towards positive discrimination for Dalit inclusion need to be taken care while designing program, strategies and policies for their empowerment. Cooperation between Dalits and non-Dalits should be promoted to bring Dalits in mainstreaming of Nepalese society through positive discrimination or special provisions.

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