Extreme deprivation in remote areas in India: social exclusion as an explanatory concept

This paper elaborates on the multi-dimensionality of poverty and processes that contribute to deprivation , arguing that social exclusion is a helpful concept to further our understanding of poverty, and proposes to apply the relatively new concept of social exclusion to provide better insight into the dimensions and causes of poverty in one of India’s poorest regions. It looks in particular at the inter relation and overlap of economic factors, human development and social identity as elements of deprivation, and the institutional and cultural factors that have caused and maintain this complexity of deprivation.

The paper covers:

• some of the familiar ground regarding NSS data, but emphasises differences across regions (comparing this at times with other sources of data)
• a focus on the differences within Orissa, using NSS region data and information for Orissa’s districts
• a description of the deprivation of social groups in India and in Orissa, and looks into the question about the extent to which various dimensions overlap
• a preliminary analysis of the effectiveness of government policies, particularly those targeted to the poorest and tribal groups
• an analysis of the link between citizens voice, the state’s accountability, and continued deprivation