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ABSTRACT
For an overall development of any nation, state or district, the simultaneous and even development of all the communities of the society is important. This requires for a close supervision of the social as well as economic condition by the government and policy makers. In order to make this possible, the identification of the problems and challenges faced by the different segments of the society is compulsory. Following this, the utmost importance of socio-economic studies can be inferred. The paper attempts to draw a clear picture of the socio-economic scenario of the Darjeeling Hills giving major implications. It also puts forward some important information and peculiar characteristics of the people here especially of that of the STs (Scheduled Tribes). Finally the study comes up with some important suggestive steps for further development of the socio-economic status in the region.
Keywords: Socio-Economic Status, STs (Scheduled Tribes), Other Caste, Source of Drinking Water.
INTRODUCTION
India's 1.25 billion citizens have higher expectations about their future today than they have ever had before. They have seen the economy grow much faster in the past 10 years than it did earlier and deliver visible benefits to a large number of people. Faster, More Inclusive & Sustainable Growth are the three major goals set by the twelfth five year plan (2012-2017) of India and this is particularly pointing towards a major transformation in socio-economic scenario of the whole country. The 12th Plan says that it must be guided by a vision of India moving forward in a way that would ensure a broad-based improvement in living standards of all sections of the people through a growth process which is faster than in the past, more inclusive and also more environmentally sustainable'. India is the biggest democracy with a manifold socio-economic-political fabric. It is the only country having largest and most diverse mixture of communities, traditions, culture, religion and socio-economic patterns. The current population of India is around 1.34 billion as on Monday, March 6,2017 which is 17.86 % of the total world population. The population of the country can be categorized in terms of the following social groups namely: the General, the reserved minority groups and religious minority groups. Reserved minority groups include the S.C, S.T and OBCs. Whereas...