ABSTRACT
Poverty of Adivasis is an issue which has been discussed at length in this chapter. Recent literature reveals that Adivasis are at the bottom on a range of development indicators including consumption and poverty, and disparities with other social groups are reported to be worsening. These disparities, especially while analysing the two indicators – mean consumption expenditure and poverty incidence – comparing Adivasis and other population groups at three time-points, 1993–94, 2004–05 and 2009–10, at the aggregate as well as at the district level, as analysed by Amaresh Dubey, reveal the extent of deprivation of Adivasis in this county. These statistics show that the benefits of growth have been concentrating among more affluent population groups, and increasing inequalities which further exclude the Adivasis. Economic reforms introduced in the early 1990s largely excluded the Adivasis, both in appropriating their natural resources for private firms, and also by not allowing them to steer their own development process. The chapter concludes with recommendations for research and policy regarding this hardening core of the chronic poor.
