ABSTRACT
Sudha Pai in her comprehensive study of Dalit assertion in Uttar Pradesh argues that Dalit assertion has been a constant, though not always visible, feature of the society of Uttar Pradesh since the late colonial period. Emergence of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in mid1980s constitutes the third phase in the ongoing process of Dalit assertion in Uttar Pradesh. Sudha Pai has examined the emergence, ideology and programmes, mobilization strategies, electoral progress and political significance of BSP against the backdrop of a strong wave of Dalit assertion in Uttar Pradesh. In order to develop the skill levels of the beneficiaries for employment and self-employment, skill development schemes have been conducted for poor and unemployed scheduled caste as well as scavengers and their dependents in view of the changing demands of employment market. The survey team tried to analyze impact of the scheme on the socioeconomic status of beneficiaries.
