Multi-Dimensional Factors of Social Exclusion...

Multi-Dimensional Factors of Social Exclusion: A Household Level study in Two Districts of Karnataka, India

Author Name : Dr. V. Ramakrishnappa

ABSTRACT Social exclusion is a multi‐dimensional concept conceived to capture different aspects of social disadvantage‐economic, social, political and cultural‐that exist in multiple ways. The present study aims to explore the factors of social exclusion which are most affecting Scheduled Castes (SCs) in the backward and forward regions of Karnataka. This can be due to a variety of factors, including unequal access to education and health care and a lack of access to land resources and opportunities. The present study concludes that, the social exclusion index for education was estimated to be larger for SCs/STs as compared to non-SCs/STs, especially in the case of backward areas; it was relatively larger in the case of SCs/STs in the backward areas as against the SCs/STs in the forward areas. As far as access to health care services is concerned, the social exclusion index expected larger in the case of SCs/STs vis-à-vis OBCs and Others both in the backward and forward areas; more in the case of backward. This implies that in the backward area, a larger proportion of members are poor, and health care facilities are also located in far off places so both availability and ability to access health care facilities are relatively limited. Social exclusion in terms of landlessness is reported to be severe in the case of SCs/STs as compared to that of OBCs and Others both in the backward and forward areas; more so in the case of backward areas. The members of a backward region are more likely to suffer from social exclusion traps.