Indebtedness 1-1

Indebtedness

displaced from land and forests, tribals enter money economy and indebtedness begins.

NSSO 2013 data shows 16% St households are indebted and 40% below poverty line.

Process of indebtedness

Diagram

High expenses : food* marriage rituals. Low income : poor skills loss of forest and land ignorance. Borrow at high rates. Fail to pay or cheated. Indebtedness

Impact. Bonded labour, prostitution, poverty, land alienation. Health issues. Eg. Yanadis of Nellore, Irulas of Vellore, sahariya of baran face bonded labour mental trauma and malnutrition. Xax report 2014.

Government initiatives

PDS scheme for food. MGNREGA for guaranteed income.
Pesa act 1996 and forest rights act 2006 to protect tribal rights over land water and forest.
Debt relief act of Odisha 1980. Bonded labour act 1976.
Trifed and Van dhan Yojana to market produce.

But implementation lead to failure

Remedies. Xaxa report 2014.

Restore alienated lands
Improved MANREGA implementation
Strengthen gram sabha funds and powers
Proactive role of state and governors needed

Case study July 2019 in express.

Irula tribe workers rescued. Kasi was bonded labour for 5 years for his 20000 rupees loan. Causing mental and physical damage to the health. Same day after rehabilitation the mill owner threatened the tribals. The strong man escape legal action due to LAX administration.