SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF SC

COLONY SURVEY RESULTS &

RECOMMENDATIONS:
The basic motivation for choosing this project was that our study will be helpful to improve
the living conditions of the backward and marginalized communities, which have been socio-
economically and psychologically submerged due to centuries of social discrimination. SC
community, which comprises of a 2.7% of the Perumanna Panchayat population, resides across
18 wards and sangethams. Even though the Panchayat presided by Mrs. K Ajitha, has proactively
taken many initiatives for the upliftment of the community, we recognized that the awareness level
regarding these steps and various government schemes is abysmally low.

INSIGHTS:
Based on the insights received from in-depth interviews with multiple stakeholders, and
the qualitative survey questionnaire data, we could identify the pain points in the current socio-
economic status of the community. Lack of awareness along with bureaucracy conflates a number
of different economic, political, and social issues like poor infrastructure, barriers to higher
education and employability, execrable living conditions, drinking water crisis etc. Also, a
significant share of the men in the community are prone to issues like alcoholism, and hence inept
financial planning and unemployment.

UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUES:
Regardless of the higher literacy rate of the panchayat (94%) and presence of educational
institutions in the vicinity, even the degree holders are either unemployed or depends on the daily
wage works like plumbing, masonry etc. Even the daily wage market is highly competitive post
the inflow of the workers from the northern states of India, leading to severe job crisis for the
localities. Further it has also been observed that the level of self-perception is low and life is mainly
reduced to a struggle for survival for the people.

WATER ISSUES & RECOMMENDATION:

Since water is one of the fundamental necessities for survival, appropriate funds should
be allocated for water provision to houses whenever the public distribution fails. Either dig new
common wells in suitable and accessible area or make use of the on-demand water supply
organizations which costs Rs.200 per 500litres tank (required per house per day.)

EDUCATION RECOMMENDATION:

To help the candidates prepare for competitive exams, arrange tuition free (or with a
minimal pay) coaching classes for PSC preparation and conduct insightful talks on career
guidance and motivation. Similarly, conduct seminars on financial planning and small-scale
business opportunities, mainly targeting the female population of the community.

ALCOHOLISM ISSUE & RECOMMENDATIONS:

Alcoholism was one of the other key issues which some families were facing. Due to
Alcoholism some families were financially weak as the male member was not going for any work
regularly and hence one lesser source of revenue. The female counterpart had to manage the
burden. To tackle this the panchayat could organize regular awareness programs by means of
street plays, workshops, pamphlets to curb alcoholism.

FUNDS & GOVT SCHEMES – ISSUES & RECOMMENDATIONS:

So, the core issues are the scarcity of funds for all and one-size-fit-all schemes causing
the deserving people to be left out of the benefits. The government has to make the affirmative
action’s practically implementable such that the employment or education opportunities can be
extended further. It can be achieved via decentralization to grass root level by granting some
degree of decision-making rights to the Panchayat. Likewise reform the outdated criterions of
certain schemes (e.g.: - house, study room schemes), which also act as barriers for the deserved
people in availing the benefits. Also, the Panchayat has stopped sanctioning new requests for
home renovation and similar schemes, since they don’t have the wherewithal to finish the ones
they have approved in previous terms.

In addition, provide fund allocation to houses facing water leakage, ones without proper
roofs, windows, and whichever are in a bad shape on a priority basis. To boost the entrepreneurial
spirit among the youth and women, group loans can also be provided at a nominal interest rate.