EXTREMELY BACKWARD CASTE (EBC)
1. Context
MORE THAN a third of Bihar’s families live on around Rs 200 a day, among the Scheduled Castes that number stands as high as 43.93%; only 7% of its population are graduates; and about 96% have no vehicles.
2. Statistics of Bihar Caste Survey
- According to the caste survey report, approximately 2.97 crore families reside in the state. Among them, over 94 lakh families (34.13%) have a monthly income of Rs 6,000 or less, which is considered below the poverty line in Bihar.
- The poverty rate is highest among the SCs, with 43.93% of families falling into the BPL category, while for the EBCs, it is 33.58%. The OBCs fare only slightly better, with 33.16% earning less than Rs 6,000 a month. Even in the general category, 25.09% of the population falls below this income threshold.
- In comparison, among the Muslim population, 17.26% are classified as poor. Within the SC families, more than half of the Mushahars (54.56%) and Doms (53.10%) are in poverty. A mere 5% of SC families earn between Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000, and only 1% earn above Rs 50,000 per month.
- Among the OBCs, 3.11% and among the Yadavs, 1.55% are employed in government jobs. The Yadavs constitute the largest group in the state at 14.3%. Banias have a slightly higher representation in government jobs, at 1.96%.
- Within the EBC families, 32% earn between Rs 6,000 and Rs 10,000, 18% between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000, and only 2% earn above Rs 50,000 per month. Among the SCs, more than half of the Mushahars (54.56%) and Doms (53.10%) are in poverty.
- The Nats follow closely at 49.06%, and 42.06% of the Chamars, 39.36% of the Dusadhs, and 38.34% of the Pasis are in the BPL category. Only 5% of the SCs earn between Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000, and just 1% earn above Rs 50,000 per month.
- Among the upper castes, the Bhumihars have the highest poverty rate (27.58%), followed by the Brahmins (25.3%), the Rajputs (24.89%), and Kayasthas (13.83%). In the general category, 9% earn above Rs 50,000
3. Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs)
- The Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) in India constitute a social group facing greater disadvantages compared to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). EBCs are typically comprised of castes or communities historically involved in low-status occupations like scavenging, barbering, and fishing.
- Often characterized by landlessness and low levels of literacy, EBCs represent a significant portion of India's population, particularly in the northern and eastern states. In Bihar, for instance, EBCs make up more than 36% of the population. Despite their numerical presence, EBCs frequently experience marginalization and exclusion from social and economic opportunities.
- To address the socio-economic challenges faced by EBCs, the Indian government has implemented various policies, including reservations in education and employment, along with financial assistance programs. However, these initiatives have faced criticism for their perceived ineffectiveness and their failure to reach the most vulnerable members within the EBC community
EBCs are believed to include some 130-odd groups and sub-groups, prominent among them being:
- Nai (barbers)
- Fishermen (bearing surnames of Sahani, Nishad and Kevat)
- Lohar
In April 2015, Bihar chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a decision to include the Teli caste in the list of Extremely Backward Class in Bihar
4. Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs) vs Other Backward castes (OBCs)
| Subject | Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) | Other Backward Classes (OBCs) |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Considered more disadvantaged than OBCs | Socially and educationally less advanced than the |
| forward castes but not as much as SCs and STs | ||
| Occupations | Historically engaged in low-status occupations | Traditionally involved in occupations |
| such as scavenging, barbering, and fishing | considered lower in the social hierarchy | |
| Land Ownership | Often landless | Varied levels of land ownership |
| Literacy and Education | Low levels of literacy and education | Socially and educationally less advanced |
| compared to forward castes | ||
| Population Distribution | Significant presence, particularly in northern | Diverse and spread across different regions |
| and eastern states (e.g., Bihar - over 36%) | of India | |
| Marginalization | Often marginalized and excluded from social | May face social and economic challenges, |
| and economic opportunities | but the degree of marginalization varies | |
| Government Policies | Subject to reservations in education and | Beneficiary of reservations in education and |
| employment, financial assistance schemes | employment, and various welfare schemes | |
| Criticism of Policies | Policies criticized for ineffectiveness and | Policies may face scrutiny for not reaching the |
| not reaching the most disadvantaged members | most disadvantaged within the OBC community |
5. Way forward
The distinction between Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in India reflects the complex and diverse socio-economic landscape of the country. EBCs, identified as more disadvantaged than OBCs, have historically been associated with low-status occupations, landlessness, and lower levels of literacy. While they constitute a significant portion of the population, particularly in states like Bihar, EBCs often face marginalization and exclusion from social and economic opportunities.
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For Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc For Mains: General Studies II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections |
Source: Indianexpress
