Dalits in India: Search for a Common Destiny/

Chapter 1: Introduction
The Scheduled Castes: Who are They?
History of Social Legislations in India
The Government Approach to Dalit Empowerment
Focus of the Study
Database
Chapter 2: Government Strategy against Discrimination and for Empowerment
Constitutional Safeguards
Reservation Policy
Educational Policies
Policies and Programmes for Economic Development
Administrative Set-Up for Implementation and Monitoring
Financial Mechanisms
Chapter 3: Demographic Profile
Population Size and Changes
Gender Distribution of the SC Population
Level and Pattern of Urbanisation
Summary
Chapter 4: Occupational Pattern
Sectoral Distribution of the Rural Workforce
Rural Occupational Pattern in the Agricultural Sector
Rural Occupational Structure in the Non-Agricultural Sector
Urban Occupational Pattern
Summary
Chapter 5: Access to Agricultural Land
Pattern of Landownership
Disparities in Landownership
Summary
Chapter 6: Rural Wage Labour
Magnitude of Wage Labour
Landownership Background of Rural and Agricultural Labour Households
Wage Rates in Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Employment
Summary
Chapter 7: Employment and Unemployment
Rural Employment: Level and Disparity (1999/2000)
Changes in the Level of Rural Employment (1983–1999/2000)
Urban Employment: Level and Disparity (1999/2000)
Changes in the Level of Urban Employment (1983–1999/2000)
Rural Unemployment: Level, Disparity and Change
Urban Unemployment: Level, Disparity and Change
Summary
Chapter 8: Employment under Reservation
Representation in Government Services, 1960–2003
Representation in Public Sector Enterprises, 1971–2004
Representation in Public Sector Banks, 1978–2004
Representation in Insurance Companies, 1993–2000
Total Employment in Government Jobs
Summary
Chapter 9: Rural Poverty: Magnitude and Change
Persistent Rural Poverty: Situation in 2000
Changes in the Levels of Poverty by Social Groups
Causes of Persistent Rural Poverty: Some Reflections
Factors Governing Poverty of Social Groups
Summary
Chapter 10: Literacy and Education Levels
Literacy and Educational Attainments
School Enrolment and Dropout Rates
Higher Education
Summary
Chapter 11: Health Status and Utilisation of Healthcare
Infant and Child Mortalities
Nutritional Status
Child Healthcare
Maternal Healthcare
Disparities among the Social Groups
Summary
Chapter 12: Access to Civil Amenities: Housing, Water and Electricity
Housing Amenities
Household Amenities
Summary
Chapter 13: Practice of Untouchability and Atrocities
The Practice of Untouchability: Contemporary Evidence
Economic Discrimination
Atrocities on SCs: Nature and Pattern
Summary
Chapter 14: Conclusion and Policy Directions
Purpose
Positive Improvements but Disparities Persist
Policy Directions