CHAPTER-II

STUDY AREA AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC

PROFILE OF THE RESPONDENTS:

The study is primarily concerned with people's participation in politics,

their interest and extent of engagement in different political acts. Participation

in politics differs from individual to individual in a society as it is largely

dependent upon various socio-economic variables such as income, occupational

pattern, age, gender, educational level, the level of political development,

effects of modernization as well as upon the oppoitunities made available by a

state structure. This chapter will present a profile of study area and socio­

economic profile of the respondents. It is divided in two sections: the first

section focuses on study area and the second section presents a study of socio

economic profile of the respondents.

Section I

For the purpose of the present study, five areas have been selected

namely Itanagar, Khonsa East, Pasighat East, Sagalee and Tawang. All five

study areas are Assembly constituencies in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The

study area profile will help us to understand the specificities in each of the

50

selected areas such as the distribution of different tribal groups in the area, their

traditional socio-political institutions, cultural moorings, geographical features,

total electors, male-female composition and other relevant statistical

information. Table 2.1 presents the areas selected for the purpose of the study.

Table 2.1

Study Area

Name of the district

Papiimpare

Papumpare

Tawang

East Siang

Tirap

Maine of tlie Assembly

Constituency

Itanagar

Sagalee

Tawang

Pasighat East

Khonsa East

Name of town / urban area

Itanagar

Sagalee

Tawang

Pasigliat

Klionsa

Name of the village/rural area

Borum/Sood/ Tarajuli village

Hibia/Mepsoro/Kheel

Khaitoot

Mirsam and Takilalung

Lamsa Village and Khonsa Village

1. Itanagar:

Itanagar is the capital town that comes under the district of Papumpare.

The state government declared Itanagar and Naharlagun urban blocks during the

' It may be mentioned here, that there is limited statistical data on particular town or villages

and therefore, information available for district to which a town or village belong has been

presented

51

2001 Census. Tribes such as Monpa, Khampti, Hillmiri, Tagin, Adi, Apatani,

Singhphos, Nocte and Wanchos have substantial population who are mosti)'

engaged in government service and business activities. Nyishis, however, have

the highest concentration in and around of capital town because of being

contiguous to their settlement districts. They belong to Tibeto-Mongoloid

stocks. The capital district was a part of Lakhimpur district of Assam till 1914.

By Government of India notification of 1914 tlie area covered by this district

became a part of 'North-East- Frontier Tract'. It was renamed as 'Balipara

Frontier Tract' in 1919. The district (Like other part of NEFA) was also under

the Ministrj' of External Affairs and was placed under the overall in charge of a

political officer. Again the area was curved out of the Balipara Frontier Tract in

the name of Subansiri area in 1946 with it's headquarter centred at North

Lakhimpur in 1954, "Subansiri area "got rechristened as Subansiri Frontier

Division'" and its head Quarter was transferred to Ziro.

In 1965, the Ministry of Home Affairs took over the administrative

charge of NEFA from the Ministry of External Affairs. It was on 22"

September 1992 Papumpare district was created and inaugurated at Doimukh

after bifurcating from Lower Subansiri district.

The district has three Assembly constituencies, namely, Itanagar,

Doimukh, and Sagalee. The district has the highest number of urban population

as compared to rest of the urban areas in the state. The urban population stands

at a little over half of the population (50.90%) and remaining is rural population

(49.10). The district also has the highest literacy rate, 70.31% for male and

52

61.72% for female. The density of population is also quite high. The average

density of population per sq.km is 42 persons as compared to 14 persons for

whole of Arunachal Pradesh. The total Scheduled Tribe population in the

district is 69,007 i.e. 56.56% of the district's total population (1, 22,003, 2001

census). This is indicative of having a quite large chunk of non-indigenous

population groups in this particular capital district. Amongst the schedule tribe

population, a vast majority of 60.41% schedule tribe population is recorded as

rural dwellers and 39.59% is as urban residents. Itanager provides a mixed type

of population consisting of a variety of tribes and non-tribe groups. Most of the

non-native population comes from Bihar -Uttar Pradesh, Assam - Bengal,

Orissa and Nepal and other parts of India.

The sex ratio of the district is 900 female per 1000 males.' It has 11

circles with 268 villages and two urban blocks. There are 4 community

Development Blocks, namely Sagalee CD. Block, Mengio CD. Block, Kimin-

Doimukh CD. Blocks and Baligan CD. Block in the district. The Deputy

Commissioner is the overall in charge of the district who maintains law and

order with the help of administrative officers and police force. The Assam

Frontier (Administration of justice) Regulation 1945 authorizes the village

councils to settle all civil matters and petty crimes falling within the

jurisdiction.

So far as the number of electors in Itanagar Assembly constituency is

concerned the net electors stand at 42,596, out of which 23,816 are male voters

* The sex ratio for the state stands at 901 females per 1000 males.

53

and 18780 are female voters after special revision made in 2004. There are 50

general polling stations and 1 auxiliary polling station. Itanagar is selected as

the urban area for administering the schedules and rural areas are Borum/

Sood/Tarajuli under the Itanagar Assembly Constituency.

2. Sagalee:

Sagalee Assembly Constituency also comes under Papumpare district

of Arunachal Pradesh. The state government declared Sagalee and Doimukh as

urban blocks in 2005. It has four circles, namely Mengio, Leporiang, Sagalee

and Toru. The Nyishi tribe is the dominant tribe in this area. The Nyishi is a

major tribe in the state. It is divided into several exogamous clans. The Nyishi

traces their descent from a legendary ancestor whose three sons are believed to

have been the forefather of the three clans known as Dapum, Dodum and Dol

respectively. The first mention of Nyishi is found in the Ahom Buranjis.'^ The

Bangnis, whose settlement are found in East Kameng district area considered as

the western branch of Nyishi tribe. Nyishi family is polygamous with patrilineal

clans. They do not have regular traditional council like the Mishmis and Adis.

The Arbiter system bears much importance for the tribes. The arbiter performs

the role of a mediator, negotiator and a broker. Small sized villages and

scattered settlement had not been conducive for having a regular authoritative

body for the Nyishi tribe. The Nyishi has an 'impressive edifice of customary

laws' based on common accepted convention and has been functioning

effectively to serve the purposes of simple life style of the tribe.

' Bose, M.L., History Of Arunachal Pradesh, concept publishing company, New Delhi,1997, p-19

54

The Nyishi are primarily agriculturists and practice shifting cultivation

(Jhuming), although permanent cultivation is gradually and progressively

adopted where ever it is found feasible. Rearing of mithun, cow, pig, goat and

fowls forms an important area of their economic activity. The Sagalee

Assembly constituency has been divided into 22 polling stations. After a special

revision of electoral roll was made in 2004, the net electors in this constituency

stand at 10,812 out of which 4902 are men and 5910 are women. Sagalee is the

lone town under the constituency and Hibia, Mepsoro and Kheel are the rural

locations for the study.

3. Pasighat East Constituency:-

Pasighat East constituency comes under East -Siang district of

Arunachal Pradesh. There are four other Assembly constituencies in this district

namely, Pangin, Nari-koyu, Pasighat- West and Mebo. Adi tribe is the local

inhabitant of the district. It is a great family of tribes and sub-tribes. The Adi

tribe is spread over East Siang and West Siang districts. A small section of Adi

people namely, Padom live in the Dibang Valley district. Regarding the origin

of Adis, R.C.R Gumming recorded in the Census Report in 1931, "hi none of

these tribes there are any traditions of origin going back very far. All claims

origin from one race or tribe settled at Killing in the Bomo-Janbo country. From

Killing, part of the tribe journeyed south across the Siyom river and occupied

the hilly country between that river and Subansiri and Brahmaputra. These are

known as Galong. Others crossed the Dihang (San Fo) or settled on its baiik or

55

neighborhood"'^ The Adis are considered as having the most effective systems

of village administration. Their village council is known as Kebang which has

democratic stmcture. Every male reaching the age of reason becomes an active

member of Assembly. Women are normally not found attending Kebang session

except for puiposes of giving evidence or to lodge complaint. However,

participation of women is not a taboo. All village activities are directed by

Kebang on the basis of traditional laws which are rarely questioned. Its sessions

are usually held in the Moshup or Dere (bachelor's dormitory).Wilcox, the

British explorer who visited the Adi countiy in 1825 described the hall of

audience and debate, where Kebang met. He emphasized that everyone had an

equal vote but notes that though not acknowledged by them, it is evident that

some, either through their superior wealth, hereditaiy, esteem or real ability,

exerts very strong influence as the rest can be swayed over to any measure

generally; the senior members present are given precedence in speaking. A

member can speak for whatever length of time he chooses to speak.

Adi Kebang's are of tliree kinds, at village level. Bane Kebang and Atek

Kebang which are primarily concerned with different village activities. In the

second comes the Bango Kebang where mutual interest or disputes of two or

more villages are deliberated. Bogum Bokang Kebang is the supreme body

where representatives of different village Kebang i.e. Bane and Atek, and Bango

" i b i d . p.20.

" Verrier, Elwin : A Philosophy for NEFA, P-156, quoted in Sanjay Dubey's Dynamics of Tribal

Local Polity and Panchayat Raj in Arunachal Pradesh, p.2.6.

56

participate to discuss issues of war, peace, culture, development and for

consideration of cases of greater significance to their society.

The East Siang district covers an area of 4687 sq. km. The total

populations of the district 87,397, out of which 45,265 are male and 42,132 are

females. Pasighat is the only town in the district. There are five sub- divisions,

namely, Pasighat, Mebo, Ruksin, Nari and Boleng as per 2001 census. There are

144 inhabited villages and almost 75% of the populations are living in rural

areas. In terms of literacy it ranks third in the state with 60.7 percent just below

Papumpare (69.30) and West Kameng district (60.80). There are 16 polling

stations in the Pasighat West Assembly consitituency and the net elector stands

at 10,247 after special revision of 2004. Pasighat is only town in the Assembly

Constituency and is selected for the present study. The names of the villages are

Mirsam and Takilakmg.

4. Khonsa East:

Khonsa East comes under Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. Besides

this assembly constituency, there are six other assembly constituencies that are

covered by the district. They are Namsang, khonsa East, Borduria- Bogapani,

Kanubari, Londing- Pumao, and Pongchau-Wakka. The geographical area of

the district is 2362 sq.km. The total population of the district is I, 00326, out of

which 52,537 are male and 47,789 are female (As per 2001 censu.s). It has the

highest average density of population (43 persons per sq km). Nocte, Wancho

and Tangsa are the major tribal groups that inhabit in the district. The Nocte live

in the central part of Tirap district and to the north of Wanchos. They have long

57

and traditional contact with the people of the neighboring Assam plains.

Chieftaincy prevails among all the three tribal groups as a strong system of

village governance. Growing betel leaves and making salt from springs are their

indigenous industry. Nocte were fierce head hunters in the past and today many

of them are Vaishnavite. The Wancho tribe is similar to Nocte tribe and inhabit

in the south western part of the Tirap district bordering Nagaland. In the past

Wanchos were too fierce head hunters. This tribe is also organized under chiefs.

A chief rules over a number of villages and receives tribute from his subjects.

They follow animistic religion and believe in benevolent and malevolent deities.

Tangsa tribe denotes dozen of tribal groups within its fold, and each tribe is sub

divided into number of exogamous clans. They inhabit east of the central part of

Tirap district, which goes along Indo-Myanmar border. Among'all other tribes

of Arunchal, Tangsas appear to be the only tribe which adheres to monogamy.

They migrate very frequently from place to place in search of land for shifting

cultivation. They are followers of the Hinayana sect of Budhism.

The Assembly constituency of Khonsa East has a total of 27 general

polling stations. After a special revision of electoral roll was made in 2004 the

net elector in the Assembly constituency is 8993 out of which 4910 aie male

voters and female electors stand at 4083. KJionsa is selected as the ruban

location and Lamsa and Khonsa Village are as the rural locations under the

Assembly Constituency.

*̂ Dubey, Sanjay.Tribal Local Polity and Panchayat Raj in Arunachal Pradesh, Premiere

Publishing House, New Delhi, 1991, P.1.14.

58

5. Tawang:

Tawang constituency comes under Tawang district of Arunachal

Pradesh. The district covers an area of 2172 sq.km. The total population of the

district is 38,924 and the average density of population is 18 persons per sq. km.

(2001 census). The total Scheduled Tribe population of the district is 29,191 out

of which 14,241 aie male ajid 14, 950 are female. The percentage of urban

population is just 21.52 and a vast proportion of the population lives in villages.

So far as literacy in the district is concerned, it is below fifty percent (47.3%).

(Census of India, 2001) The Monpa is the pre-dominant tribe in the district.

Monpas are quite, gentle, artistic and dignified'^. The sub- tribes' amongst them

are Tawang, Dahing and Kalan. They regard themselves as migrated from

Bhutan and their script has come from Tibet. They have patriarchal society.

They have got caste and clan system with no social hierarchy and

discrimination. The Monpa tribe has a well developed from of village council

with strong democratic tradition. They have a sti'ong sense of protocol. The

influence of Budhism could be seen in all aspects of their life. Agriculture is

their main economy stay. They are distinguished for their terrace cultivation,

carpet making, wood carving and yak and sheep reaiing. The Budhist monastery

of Tawang is the heart of the Monpa life.= There are three Assembly

constituencies that come under the districts of Tawang, namely, Lumla, Tawang

and Mukto. Tawang Assembly constituency has 18 General polling stations.

After special revision of electoral roll made in 2004 the net electors in this

"ibid. , p.1.8.

59

constituency stand at 8535. out of which 4596 are men and 3939 are women.

Schedules are administered in the only town, namely, Tawang and in the

village, namely, Khartoot.

Section II

Socio-economic profile of the respondents:

The study, initially proposed to select a total of 500 respondents from

both urban and rural locations in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. However, it

may be mentioned that in the final stage of administration of schedules;

respondents numbering 425 could be contacted for interview as some had

expired, some were found to be out of stations, and few were reluctant to give

the interview. While selecting the study areas, it was considered essential to

include the tribal groups having distinct characteristics in their social-political

governance. On this basis five study areas have been selected, namely, Itanagar,

Sagalee, Tawang, Pasighat East and Khonsa East. Each of these areas is the

Assembly Constituency in Arunachal Pradesh. One town and one or two rural

locations have been selected from each of the Assembly Constituency for the

purpose of selecting the respondents. The division of respondents into rural and

urban category can help in giving enough evidences of the rural-urban

differences in political participation, hi the table below, presents the area-wise

distribution of sample size.

60

Table 2.2

Distribution of Sample size

Study Areas

Itanagar

Khonsa East

Pasighat East

Sagalee

Tawang

Total

Sample size

200

50

75

52

48

425

1. Age

Political participation is a dependent variable and as such several

independent variables like age, marital status, education, income, occupation

etc. are closely associated with it. The age of individual also has a positive

correlation with his level of engagement in politics. Older people are likely to

take more interest in political matter than the younger. As they grow old, they

become matured, acquire property, family and develop deeper and closer

network with like-minded people. There may be some political activities that

attract particular age group people and other age group may not be that

interested. Therefore, age of an individual is an important factor related to the

concept of political participation.

Tables 2.3(a) and 2.3(b) present the distribution of respondents by age in

rural and urban areas. Age has been presented in the intervals of 10 years

starting from below 25 years and closing at 56 and above. Accordingly, there

are five categories of age groups.

61

Table 2.3 (a)

Distribution of respondents by age (Rural Area)

Age

Below

25 years

26-35

36-45

46-55

56 and

above

Total

Borum/So od/

Tarajuli

25

(36%)

29

(42%)

07

(10%)

05

(7%)

03

(5%)

69

(100%)

Mirsam and

Takilalung

08

(25%)

07 (22%)

12(38%)

03 (9%)

02 (6%)

32

(100%)

Hibia/Me psoro/ Kheel

08

(24%)

05

(15%)

10

(29%)

05

(15%)

06

(17%)

34

(100%)

Kliartoot

03

(15%)

09

(45%)

02

(10%)

05

(25%)

01

(5%)

20

(100%)

Lamsa Village and

Khonsa Village

05

(25%)

08

(40%)

02

(10%)

04

(20%)

01

(5%)

20

(100%)

Total

49

(28%)

58

(33%)

33

(19%)

22

(13%)

13

(7%)

175

(100%)

Note: (Figures in the brackets represent percentage to the respective total vertically).

(Source: Field work)

From the above table2.3 (a), it is clear that in the rural areas, the young

age group respondents constitute more than the half of the total respondents. If

the first two young age groups are combined, the total respondent stands at 107

(61%). Therefore, there is visibly preponderance of young respondents in the

rural areas. This is followed by the respondents in the older age groups i.e. 46-

55 and 56 and above age groups. Next are the middle-aged respondents (36-45

age groups) which stand at 19%.

62

Table 2.3 (b)

Distribution of respondents by age (Urban Area)

Age

Below

25 years

26-35

36-45

46-55

56 and

above

Total

Itanagar

27

(23%)

26

(23%)

41

(36%)

13

(11%)

08

(7%)

115

(100%)

Pasighat

15

(35%)

09

(21%)

09

(21%)

08

(19%)

02

(4%)

43

(100%)

Sagalee

09

(26%)

10

(29%)

05

(15%)

06

(18%)

04

(12%)

34

(100%)

Tawang

06 (22%)

05(18%)

08 (30%)

04(15%)

04(15%)

27

(100%)

Klionsa

07

(23%)

10

(32%)

07

(23%)

05

(16%)

02

(6%)

31

(100%)

Total

64

(26%)

60

(24%)

70

(28%)

36

(14%)

20

(8%)

250

(100%)

(Som-ce: Fieldwork)

Table 2.3(b) shows the respondents that come under different age groups

in the urban areas. In the urban areas too, there is dominance of young people.

50 percent of the total respondents belong to young age group i.e. below 25 and

26-35 age groups. The percentage of Middle-aged respondents is higher in the

urban areas (28%) than in the rural areas (19%) in the overall age composition

of the respondents. So far as older age-group respondents are concerned, they

represent a substantial percentage of the respondents. 22% of the respondents

can be placed in the older age groups i.e. 46-55 and 56 and above age groups.

63

Sex

It is generally held that women participate less in political activities than

their male counterpart. The male-female representation in the study will be

helpful in revealing the sex-differences in political engagement, which would be

analyzed in subsequent chapters. Table 2.4 (a and b) shows the distribution of

respondents by sex.

Table 2.4 (a)

Distribution of respondents by sex (Rural Area)

Sex

Male

Female

Total

Boruin/ Sood/

Tarajuli

40

(58%)

29

(42%)

69

(100%)

Mirsam and

Takilalung

17

(53%)

15

(47%)

32

(100%)

Hibia/ Mepsoro/

Kheel

20

(59%)

14

(41%)

34

(100%)

Khartoot

14

(70%)

06

(30%)

20

(100%)

Lamsa Village

and Khonsa Village

12

(60%)

08

(40%)

20

(100%)

Total

103

(59%)

72(41%)

175

(100)

(Source: Field work)

The above table is cleai' and self-evident so far as distribution of male

and female respondents is concerned, bi the rural areas, the number of male

respondents is higher than the female respondents. There are 103 male as

against 72 female and their percentages are 59 and 41 respectively.

64

Table 2.4 (b)

Distribution of respondents by sex (Urban Area)

Sex

Male

Female

Total

Itanagar

76

(66%)

39

(34%)

115

(J 00%)

Pasigiiat

26

(60%)

17

(40%)

43

(100%)

Sagalee

19

(56%)

]5

(44%)

34

(100%)

Tawaiig

15

(56%)

12

(44%)

27

(100%)

Khonsa

20

(65%)

11

(35%)

31

000%)

Total

156

(62%)

94

(38%)

250

(100%)

(Source: Fieldwork)

Table 2.4(b) shows that there is a pre-ponderance of male respondents in

the urban areas, hi urban areas, the percentage of male is little higher than the

rural areas (62%) whereas in terms of female representation, it is lesser than

rural representation (38%). Out of the total 250 respondents in the urban area,

156 are male and 94 are female.

Education

Another important determinant of political participation is the level of

education of the population. One of the conditions for the success of democracy

is the literacy rate of the population as it is held that education will increase the

civic awareness and political consciousness of the people. This, in turn will

have a positive impact on the nature of participation. Education provides them

with necessary confidence and efficacy required to engage in different political

activities. The education level for the present study has been categorized in five

groups, starting from illiterate to graduate and above.

65

Table 2.5(a)

Distribution of respondents by Education (Rural Area)

Education

Illiterate

Below

Matriculation

Matriculates

Under

Graduate

Graduate and

above

Total

Borum/Sood/ Tarajuli

25

(36%)

15

(22%)

14

(20%)

10

(15%)

05

(7%) .

69

(100%)

Mirsam and

Takilalung

09

(28%)

07

(22%)

08

(25%)

04

(12.5)

04

(12.5)

32

(100%)

Hibia/Me psoro/ Kheel

10

(29%)

12

(35%)

05

(15%)

05

(15%)

02

(6%)

34

(100%)

Khartoot

06

(30%)

06

(30%)

03

(15%)

02

(10%)

03

(15%)

20

(100%)

Lamsa Village

and Khonsa Village

09

(45%)

02

(10%)

04

(20%)

04

(20%)

01

(5%)

20

(100%)

Total

59

(34%)

42

(24%)

34

(19%)

25

(14%)

15

(9%)

175

(100%)

(Source: Field work)

The above table presents the distribution of respondents in the various

educational categories. It is clear that a major section of the respondents fall in

the illiterate category. It represents 34% of the total respondents in the rural

areas. There are sizeable numbers of respondents that belong to under

matriculate and matriculate levels. The graduate and above educational category

has the lowest percentage of respondents in the rural areas. 9 percent of the rural

respondents fall in the graduate and above category.

66

Table 2.5(b)

Distribution of respondents by Education (Urban Area)

Education

Illiterate

Below

matriculation

Matriculates

Under

Graduate

Graduate

and above

Total

Itanagar

26

(23%)

65

(56%)

07

(6%)

10

(9%)

07

(6%)

115

(100%)

Pasigliat

19

(44%)

15

(35%)

02

(5%)

04

(9%)

03

(7%)

43

(100%)

Sagalee

12

(35%)

11

(32%)

03

(9%)

05

(15%)

03

(9%)

34

(100%)

Tawaiig

08

(30%)

10

(37%)

04

(15%)

02

(7%)

03

(11%)

27

(100%,)

Khonsa

07

(23%)

17

(55%)

02

(6%)

03

(10%o)

02

(6%)

31

(100%)

Total

72

(29%>)

118

(47%)

18

(7%)

24

(10%>)

18

(7%)

250

(100%)

(Source: Fieldwork)

There are some differences in the educational level of the respondents in

the rural and urban areas. In the urban areas, 47 percent of the respondents are

below matriculate and only 29 percent are illiterate. Each of the Matriculate and

graduate & above categories has 7 percent of respondent. From the above two

tables it is seen that majority of respondents in both the rural and urban are

either illiterate or have education up to matriculation level only. The total

percentage of respondents who have education at the higher level is low. This

is indicative of the educational scenario of the state where the literacy rate

stands at 54.74 (Census of India, 2001)

67

Occupation

Occupation of an individual can also affect his propensity to participate

in politics. There are certain occupations that help people to develop social and

intellectual skills that might carry over to politics and their stake in

governmental policies might be more prominently felt. Lester Milbrath^°

stresses upon different characteristics of jobs that are valuable input in political

engagement:

1. An opportunity for political involvement in terms of blocks of

time and inter-personal relations;

2. Verbal skills developed or required by the job

3. Effects of government and political decisions on the job

4. Vulnerability of the position, if the employee becomes active in

politics.

In India, the professional class of people such as doctors and engineers,

the business class of people and farmers who are directly affected by the

governmental policies are most likely to participate in politics considering their

higher stake from government.

Arunachal Pradesh has predominantly agricultural-based economy

where primitive method of cultivation of ,Ilmm is widely practiced by a vast

°̂ Goel, Madan Lai., Political Participation in a Developing Nation: India, Asia Publishing House,

Bombay 1974, P.60.

68

section of population. There is not much tangible industrial activity that could

be seen in the state. However, efforts aie on to tap the potentials for industrial

activity with locally available resources. The Fifth Economic Census Report of

Arunachal Pradesh 2005 shows that there are 28,734 enterprises in the state

engaged in different economic activities other than crop-production and

plantation and I, 10385 persons are working in them. Among these enterprises,

396 are agricultural engaging 1.38 percent of workers whereas rest 28,338

enterprises belong to non- agricultural activity engaging 98.62 percent of

workers. A total of 18799 (65.42%) enterprises are located in the rural areas and

9935 (34.58%) are located in urban areas.

The Statistical Abstract of 2009 of Arunachal Pradesh shows the number

of total workers (main and marginal) in Arunachal Pradesh stand at 4,82902,

out of which 293612 are male and 189290 are female. In terms of occupational

classification and its percentage, the cultivators stand at 29.1%, the percentage

for agricultural laborers is 3.9, workers in household industries are 1.3% and

other workers constitute 37.0% (Census 2001).

69

Table 2.6(a)

Distribution of respondents by occupation (Rural Area)

Occupation

Govt,

service

Business

Fanner/

Cultivator

Unsi<illed

workers

Not in labor

force

Total

Borum/ Sood/

Tarajuli

12

(17%)

10

(14%)

28

(41%)

03

(5%)

16

(23%)

69

(100%)

Mirsam and

Takilalung

04

(12%)

06

(19%)

12

(38%)

01

(3%)

09

(28%)

32

(100%)

Hibia/ Mepsoro/

Kheel

03

(9%)

07

(21%)

10

(29%>)

03

(9%)

11

(32%)

34

(100%)

Khaitoot

02

(10%)

03

(15%)

09

(45%)

01

(5%)

05

(25%)

20

(100%)

Lanisa Village

and Khonsa Village

04

(20%)

04

(20%)

07

(35%)

01

(5%)

04

(20%)

20

(100%)

Total

25

(14%)

30

(17%)

66

(38%)

09

(5%)

45

(26%)

175

(100%)

(Source: Field work)

Table 2.6(a) shows the occupations of the respondents. The farmer

group is the largest occupational group in the rural areas. 38 percent of the total

respondents are farmer/cultivators, followed by respondents belonging to 'trot in

labor force' who are mostly students, housewives, retired personnel and aged

dependent and their percentage is 26. 17 percent and 14 percent of the

respondents are engaged in the 'business' and 'governinent service'

respectively. The lowest percentage of respondents is represented by 'unskilled

workers' group (5%).

70

Table 2.6(b)

Distribution of respondents by occupation (Urban Area)

Occupation

Government

service

Business

Farmer/

Cultivator

Unsi<illed

workers

Not in labor

force

Total

Itanagar

34

(30%)

31

(27%)

08

(7%) .

12

(10%)

30

(26%)

115

(100%)

Pasighat

14

(33%)

12

(28%)

05

(12%)

02

(4%)

10

(23%)

43

(100%)

Sagaiee

09

(26%)

10

(29%)

05

(15%)

03 (9%)

07(21%)

34

(100%)

Tawang

05

(19%)

08

(30%)

02

(7%)

03

(11%)

09

(33%)

27

(100%)

Khonsa

08

(26%)

07

(23%)

04

(13%)

02

(6%)

10

(32%)

31

(100%)

Total

70

(28%)

68

(27%)

24

(10%)

22 (9%)

66

(26%)

250

(100%)

(Source: Fieldwork)

Table 2.6(b) shows that there are three big occupational groups in the

urban areas. Amongst the three, 'government service' category constitutes the

largest group (28%). This is followed by 'business' category (27%). Sizeable

number of respondents is found in the 'not in labor force', constituted by

housewives, retired persons, unemployed persons and students. It may be

mentioned that both in rural and urban areas, respondents in the lowest

percentage are from 'unskilled workers'. The percentage of business

occupational groups is higher in the urban areas (27%) as compared to rural

areas (17%).

71

Income

It is generally held that income of an individual has a positive

correlation with her/his political engagement. Higher income individuals have

greater exposure to mass-media, higher educational attainments and broader

social network and contacts than the economically disadvantaged sections. It

can also supply people with required level of confidence to act in a political

environment. However, it could be mentioned that there are certain difficulties

for getting information on income and on its accuracy. This is so particularly in

the case of farmer/cultivators who have no fixed source of income. There are

some respondents who are reluctant to give the actual figure of their income. In

such cases, the information has been confirmed on the basis of property owned

by them, such as land, precious traditional beads, mithun (bison), car, jeep

/truck/bus, and television and radio set etc. This would help to fill up missing

gap where ever it exists.

72

Table 2.7 (a)

Distribution of the respondents by Income (Rural Area)

Income (monthly)

In Rupees

No

Income

1-2000

2001-

4000

4001-

6000

6001-

8000

8001-

10000

10000 +

Total

Borum/ Sood/

Tarajuli

15

(22%)

31

(45%)

10

(14%)

03

(4%)

04

(6%)

02

(3%)

04

(6%)

69

(100%)

Mirsam and

Takilalung

04

(12%)

09

(28%)

05

(16%)

04

(12%)

05

(16%)

02

(6%)

03

(10%)

32

(100%)

Hibia/Mep soro/ Kheel

08

(23%)

16

(47 %)

07

(21%)

01

(3%)

01

(3%)

01

(3%)

00

34

(100%)

Khartoot

05

(25%)

06

(30%)

05

(25%)

01

(5%)

02

(10%)

00

01

(5%)

20

(100%)

Lamsa Village

and Khonsa Village

05

(25%)

04

(20%)

04

(20%)

02

(10%)

02

(10%)

01

(5%)

02

(10%)

20

(100%)

Total

37

(21%)

66

(38%)

31

(18%)

11

(6%)

14

(8%)

06

(3%)

10

(06%)

175

(100%)

(Source: Field work)

Table 2.7(a) shows the respondents under different income groups. It is

clear from the above table that in respect of income, majority of the respondents

(38%) belong to the income group of Rel-2000, followed by 'no income

group' (21%). The respondents in income group of Rs.2000-4000 ranks third in

the above income categorization scheme. The income group of Rs.8001-10000

has the lowest percentage of respondents in the rural area.

73

Table 2.7 (b) Distribution of the respondents by Income (Urban Area)

Income

(monthly)

No

Income

1-2000

2001-4000

4001-6000

6001-8000

8001-

10000

10000 +

Total

Itanagar

11

(10%)

47

(41%)

12

(10%)

09

(8%)

17

(15%)

14

(12%)

05

(4%)

115

(100%)

Pasighat

07

(16%)

15

(35%)

06

(14%)

04

(9%)

03

(7%)

05

(12%)

03

(7%)

43

(100%)

Sagalee

04

(12%)

09

(26%)

05

(15%)

04

(11%)

03

(9%)

06

(18%)

00

(9%)

34

(100%)

Tawang

08

(30%)

05

(18%)

07

(26%)

04

(15%)

02 (7%)

01 (4%)

00

27

(100%)

Khonsa

02

(6%)

10

. (32%)

10

(32%)

05

(16%)

01

(4%)

02

(6%)

01

(4%)

31

(100%)

Total

32

(13%)

86

(35%)

40

(16%)

26

(10%)

26

(10%)

28

(11%)

12

(05%)

250

(100%)

(Source: Fieldwork)

Similar is the case in respect of respondents in urban areas. In the urban

belt, 35 percent of the respondents belong to the income group of Re 1-2000 and

is followed by the income group of Rs.2000-4000 (16%).0ut of total 250

respondents, 80 respondents belong to the income categories that varies

between Rs. 4001 and Rs.lO, 000 ( Around 32%). The 'no income group' has

substantial respondents under it. 13 percent of the respondents belong to this

category. Only 5 percent of the total respondents are from Rs. 10, 000 and

above category.

74

Thus, from the above tables, it can be observed that in terms of age,

education, occupation, male and female division, and income respondents

belong to different categories. Again, there are some differences in the

representation of respondents in the aforesaid valuables in the rural and urban

area. In respect of age categorization of rural residents, it has been noticed that

there is preponderance of young respondents. In the urban areas too, urban

youth respondent forms a big proportion of the total respondents. In both rural

and urban areas, it is the oldest group of respondents that are in the lowest

number. So far as the male and female division of respondents is concerned,

sizeable number of female respondents have got represented in both rural and

urban areas. It can be observed that there is slightly higher representation of

female in the rural area (41%) than the urban area (38%). With regard to

education, there is big proportion of respondents that come in the illiterate

category as well as below the matriculate group in the rural area. In the urban

area, majority of respondents belong to 'below matriculate' category. In terms

of higher educational gains, rural respondents show higher percentages than

their urban counterpart.

So far as the occupation of the respondents is concerned, it can be

observed that in the rural part of the state majority of respondents are engaged

in agricultural activities. There is almost an equal percentage of representation

of respondents from government service and business categories in the rural

area. It may also be mentioned that 'not in labor force' category has substantial

number of respondents, who are mostly students, housewives, unemployed

youths and retired personnels. Unlike the rural area, the number of farmer

75

respondents is conspicuously less in the urban area. Respondents in the

government service and business categories have almost equal share of their

representation and they form two big occupational groups. There are good

numbers of respondents that come in the 'unskilled worker' category, who n

mostly work in the unorganized sectors. So far as respondents and their income

are concerned, a vast majority of respondents fall in low income group i.e. Re 1-

2000 and many respondents come in the income category of Rs.2001-4000. It

can be noticed that there are not too many respondents that has higher income in

the rural area. Respondents in the 'no income' group are higher in rural area

than the urban area. In the urban area, highest percentage of respondents is

formed by the income group of Re 1-2000 while there are few respondents in the

higher income category. Respondents in the middle income group i.e. between

Rs 4001 and Rs. 10,000 do not show much variation in respect of percentage of

their representation in the urban areas.

• • • * *

76