Chapter VI

THE SETTING A , ! TBE PROFlLE OF RESPONDENTS

This chapter provides a prologue to the field study conducted among the

educated unemployed youth in Kottayam district. A brief profile of the district is

depicted in this chapter mainly to acquaint one with the setting of the study.

Factors such as age, sex, marital status, socio-economic background would

significantly determine the views, opinions, interests, preferences and behaviour

pattern of unemployed youth. 'Ihus starting with this premise it is imperative to

analyse the characteristics of respondents and their socio-economic status to

obtain u W insights into the general attitude of the respondents towards various

dimensions of the problem.

6.1 Prrrfde of tbe District

Kottayam is one of the 1 1 districts in Kerda. It lies a little south to central

Kerda and is bounded by ErnAdam district on the north, Idukki on the east,

Pathanamthitta on the south and Aappuzha district on the west. The district lies

between 9"15' and 10" 2 1' north latitude and 76" 25' and 77" 25' east longitude.

The area of Kottayam district is 2203 sq. kms. which forms 5.7 percent of the

total area of the state.

Kottayam district has acquired its name from the Kottayam town, which is

the headquarters of the district. Its name is said to be derived fiom a compound

word - "Kotta -t Akam" which means the interior of a fort. The present district of

Kotiayarn was previously a part of erstwhile princely state of Travancore.

Kottayam revenue division was formed in 1 868. After the integration of the state

of Travancore and Cochin in 1949, the revenue divisions were called districts

marking the birth of Kottayam district. Kottayam district consists of five Taluks,

viz., Vaikom, Meenachil, Kottayam, Changanacheny and Kanjirappdly. There are

two revenue divisions in Kottayam district with headquarters at Kottayam and

Pala. There are four ~unici~alities', eleven development blocks and 73

panchayats.

Kottayam had piayed a key role in the politicd agitation of modern times.

The Malayali Memorial' agitation (1891) had its origin in ~ o t t a ~ a r n ~ . The

Malayali Memorial s o u ~ h t to secure better representation for Travancoreans in the

Civil Senice of Travancore against persons fiom outside. The hstoric 'Vaikom

~ a t h ~ a g ~ a h a ' ~ which had the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi took place in this

district. Kottayam was one of the strongholds of Wivarthan ~g i t a t ion"~ and the

agitation led by the State Congress for Responsible Government in Travancore.

According to 1991 Census the total population in the district is 18,28,271.

Male population is 9,12,860 and female population 9,15,4 1 1 . The proportion of

mral population in the district is 82.45 percent. The total Scheduled Castes

population in the district is 1,35,876 and Scheduled Tribes population is 17,996.

Sex ratio between mde and female is thousand to thousand and three. The

projected population as on March, 1997 is 19?81,000. The density of population is

830 per sq. km. The number of households is 3,6 1,8 13. Its number in rural areas

is 2,99,070 and in urban areas is 62,743. Per capita income at constant prices

(1980-81) in 1995-96; is Rs.2,277 and at current prices it is Rs.7,479.

According to Agricultural Census, 1990-91 the number of

operational holdings in Kottayam district is 3,48,017 which constitute 6.42 percent

of total operational holdings in the state. The total area under cultivation is

2,46,533 hectare which constitutes 8.13 percent of the total area under cultivation

in the state. Majority of the population depends on agriculture and died

activities for their livelihood. Agriculture is the main stay of the economy. Food

crops as well as cash crops are cultivated here. Paddy is the most important food

crop. The area under paddy cultivation is 36.397 hectares. An average of 2,325

kg./ha. paddy is produced. Next to paddy is rapioca. It is cultivated in 11,620

hectares and 2,67,260 tonnes of tapioca is produced per m u m . Rubber is the

major cash crop. It is grown in 1.07 lack hmares, the largest area under rubber

cultivation in the state and its production is gowing gradually. Here 1,05,198

metric tomes of rubber is produced per annum. Coconut, another important cash

crop, bas a total area of 46,012 hectares under cultivation. Pepper, teq ginger,

arecanut, pulses, plantains, pineapple, sugar cane, cocoa are also cultivated in this

district.

Table 6.1 : Kottayam District: A Statistical Profile

Area (sq. km.)

Population

Males

FernaIes

Scheduled Castes Population .

Scheduled Tribes Population

Density of Population (per sq. km)

Sex ratio - Females / 1000 males

Literacy rate (%)

Number af HausehoIds

Averasp Family size

Number of Operational Holdings

Total area under cuItivation (ha.)

Number of Registered Small Scde Industries ( 1995-96)

Totd number of lMain Workers

Marginal Workers

Number of job seekers in the Employment Exchanges as on March 1997

Number of beneficikes of PMRY (1 995-96)

Per capita Income at current prices (1 995-96)

Source: 1- P"v C~IISUS A-ct 1991 2. Economic Mew - 1996 3. District National Informatics Centre 4. District Employment Exchnge

Figure 6.1

1

.: Map of Kottayam District

Reference

District Boundary - . .1. .- Taluk Boundary - .- .I .- Panchayat Boundary - - - - - - - Taluk Headquarters

District Headquarters a

Industrially Kottayam district is not highly advanced. At present

there are 15 large and medium scale industies, two major industrial estates, I2

mini industrial estates and three development plots. (see Appendix 5.1 & 5.2) The

number of smdl scaIe industrial units registered in the district during 1995-96 is

1,730. There are 14,834 small scale units registered at the District Industrial

Centre as on March 1 996 (see Appendix 5.3 ). The total number of main workers

in the district is 5,37,087. hide workers is 4,43,092 and female workers is 93,995

The number of cultivators is 84,327 and agricultural labourers is 1,25,424. There

are 33,761 marginal workers and 12,57,423 non-workers in the district (see

Appendix 5.4) The total number of beneficiaries of Prime Minister's Rozgar

Yojana (PMRY) during 1995-96 is 1,300 and total amount of disbursement is

Rs.462.28 Lakhs.

Kottayam is the first town in the country which has the unique

achievement of securing cenr percent literacy. According to 199 1 Census, the

literacy rate in the district is 95.72 percent which is the hishest literacy rate in the

state. The male literacy rate is 97.46 percent and female literacy is 94.00 percent.

The literacy rate for Scheduled Castes is 80.03 and the female literacy rate among

Scheduled Castes is 77.00 percent. The literacy level of Scheduled Tribes in the

district is 78.96 percent. The educational status is fairly high h the district. The

first English school in KeraIa was started by missionaries of Church Mission

Society (C.M. S.) at Kottayam in the beginning of the 19 century. There are 478

Lower Primary Schools, 204 Upper Primary Schools and 258 High Schools in the

district. There are also 24 Arts and Science Colleges, 4 Training Colleges, 3 Co-

operative Colleges, 2 Poly-Techniques, One Enginwing College, 7 Teacher

Training Institutes, 2 Industrial Training Institutes and a number of private

parallel colleges. The Mahatma Gandhi University has its headquarters in

Kottayam.

In the history of journalism, Kottayam occupies a very prominent place.

Kottayarn is the centre of newspapers and periodicals. The oldest daily in

Malayalam, Deepika (1 887) had its origin at Mannanam, near Kottayam. The

Malayda Manorama, one of the largest circdated dailies in India was started at

Kottayam in 1890. Five major ddies are being published from here. The number

of periodicals come to about thirty.

The total number of job-seekers in the Iive registers of Employment

Exchanges as on March 1997 in Kottayam district is 2,28,121. The number of

male registrants is 98,876 and females is 1.29,245. Among the registrants the

proportion of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is 11.70 percent. The

number of dipIorna hoIders in Engineering and Technology is 2,551, and the ITI

certificate holders is 4954. In addition, there are 709 National Apprenticeship

Certificate holders in the live register.

6,2 Field Study

The study was conducted among the registrants in four Employment

~xchanges~ in Kottaym district, vir, Vaikom, Pala, Kottayam and Changa-

nacherry. The study is confined to the educated unemployed youth between the

age group of 18 to 35 possessing general education from matriculation to

graduation. The scope of the study does not include post graduates because those

with second class and above marks are categorised along with professional and

executive category. They are also registered in a separate employment exchange

in Thiruvanathapuram. Rural-urban divide is less pronounced in this district.

Therefore, in the d y s i s of the data such a distinction is not followedh.

Table 6.2: Distribution of Registrants in Empioyrnent Exchanges in Kottayam district by Educational Level *

* Dec. 3 1 , 1995

Source: District Empto p e n t Exchange, Kottayarn

Educational Level

Below SSLC

SSLC

Pre-de~ree

Graduate

Post Graduate

All

Number

46325

13 5642

18645

9984

140 1

21 1997

Percentage

21.85

63.98

8.79

4.72

0.66

100.00

Twbie 6.3: Sample Size used for Estimation and Analysis

The distribution of the registrants after the completion of field study is

shown in table 6.2. The sample size used for estimation and analysis from each

educational category is shown in table 6.3. The total number of respondents was

five hundred. To ensure adequate sample size in each educational categov, the

size of the sample selected h r n each stratum was not proportionate to the

number of registrants. The data obtained Earn the field study is analysed in the

foIIowing manner.

6.3 Characteristics of Respondents

6.3.1 Age

The age-wise distribution of the respondents reveals that majorin falls

vlithln the age group of 18-26 years. The proportion of respondents declines &om

Level

SSLC

Pre-degree

Graduate

A11

Sex

Male

I25

75

50

250

AIl

Female

725

7 5

5 0

250

Number

250

150

1 00

500

Percentage

SO

3 0

20

100

35.60 percent in the age group of 18-20 years to 1 percent in the age group of

33-35 years (see Table 6.4). This trend may probably be due to the reason that

the job opportunities decline after the age of 25-27 years' . The average age of

the respondents is 23 years. Sex-wise differences in the proportion of respondents

under different age groups is also evident from the data. The proportion of

females declines drastically among the age group of 27-35. This indicates that the

male registrants are more keen on renewing the employment exchange

registration than femdes.

Table 6-4: Distribution of Respondents by Age and Sea

Age Group (Years)

18-20

2 1 -23

24-26

27-29

3 0-3 2

33-35

All

.All %

35.60

32.00

20.00

8.40

3.00

1 .OO

100.00

Sex

Male %

29.60

30.40

22.40

11.20

4.80

I .60

100.00

FemaIe %

41 -60

33.60

17.60

5.60

1.20

0.40

100.00

Education-wise break up of the data as shown in table 6.5 reveals that

among the SSLC and pre-degree educated respondents 36.80 percent, 48.67

percent respectively are in the age group of 18-20 years, followed by 28.40

percent and 28.67 percent in the age group of 2 1-23 years. Among the

graduates 46 percent are in the age group of 2 1-23 years followed by 34

percent in the age group of 24-26 years.

Table 6.5: Distribution of Respondents by Age and Educational Lwei

Age Group (Years)

18-20

2 1-23

24-26

27-29

3 0-3 2

33-35

All

Educational Level

S.S.L.C. %

36.80

28.40

20.00

9.20

4.00

1.60

100.00

Pre-degree %

48.67

28.67

10.67

8.67

2.66

0.66

100.00

Graduate %

13.00 I

46.00 1

34 00

6.00

1.00

0.00

100.00

6.3.2 Marital Status

As regards the marital status of the respondents, majority (90.40%) are

bacheIors and only 9.60 percent are marrieds. Sex-wise ~Iassification of the data

shows that 6.80 percent of males and 12.40 percent of females are married (see

Figure 6.2). The social custom that male folk should h d livelihood for the

f h i l y is still prevalent and as a result prolonged period of bachelorship is

found among unemployed male youth. This appears to be the reason for the sharp

differences in the proportion of married respondents in terms of sex.

Figure 6.2: Marital Status of Respondent. by Sex

100 80

SO

70 60

MI 10

30 20 I0 0

Mate % Female % All 9C

Married I U m d e d I

The relationship between marital status and the level of education is

presented in the figure 6 .2 . The data reveals that differences in the proportion of

the married under dEerent levels of education is marginal. The proportion of the

married rises marginally from 8.40 percent in the SSLC category to 12.00

percent in the case of graduates (see Figure 6.3).

Figure 6.3: Marital Status and Educational Level of Respondents

6.3.3 Educational: Qualification

Apart from the formal educational qualifications, the &Us and practical

training acquired counts a lot while considering a candidate for a job. Very often

those who have done vocational courses have an edge over those with general

qualifications. Many unemployed persons learn a job oriented course after

completing general education in order to increase their chances of hding

employment. Taking note of t h i s fact the respondents are classified into two

(i) those with general education only, (ii) those with general education

supplemented by vocational education.

The data pertaining to the subject of study show that among the pre-degree

holders, 33 -30 percent were from science discipline, 38 percent from arts and

104 - 8 0 - 8 0 - 70 - 60 - a- 10 - a0 - 20 - 10- 0

01.6 SO 88

a.4

I

SSLC % m w Graduate #

I Marrled mUmurrled I

28.67 percent &om commerce subjects. But in the case of graduates those

belonging to science constitutes 42 percent. The proportion of those studying

arts and commerce subjects declines to 34 percent and 24 percent respectively.

Table 6.6: Distribution of Respondents by Course of Study and Sex

The data shown in table 6.6 reveal that majority (54.20%) of the

respondents have completed vocational courses in addition to the general

education with the aim of securing a job. Sex-wise classiftcation reveals the

differences in the proportion of males and females with regard to additional

vocational training. Among the maIes, the proportion of respondents with

vocational courses is 50.40 percent, whereas it is slightly higher, that is, 58

Course of Study

General Education only

Gend and Vocational Education Combined

A11

All %

45.80

54.20

100.00

Sex

Male Yo

49.60

50.40

100.00

Female %

42.00

58.00

100.00

percent in the case of femdes. The vocational courses undergone by the

respondents include courses like I.T.I., T. T.C., B. Ed. and certificatefdiploma

courses; viz., StenofTypewriting, Computer Application, Tailoring, Aluminium

Fabrication, PrintinglComposing, Nursing Assistant, Laboratory Technician,

Secretarial Practice, Tax Consultant, TraveYTourism, Hotel Management.'

Catering and so on.

Figure 6.4: Course of Study and Educationat Level of Respondents

SSLC X Predegree% Gtaduete % I

Education-wise distribution of the respondents having undergone

vocational courses of study and others is shown in figure 6.4. The proportion of

respondents with vocational courses of study is 50.40 percent among the SSLC

category, it rises to 53.33 percent and 65 percent for pre-degree and graduates.

Therefore the data shows that the proportion of those with vocational trainins is

more than those without it at each level of education. As the education level

goes up, the proportion of those with vocational training tends to register

systematic increase. In other words, the higher the level of education, the higher

will be the proportion of those with vocational training.

6.3.4 Educational Performance

Educational performance is generally tested by the clasdpercentage of

marks scored in the respective examinarions and it is regarded as the te5t of a

candidate's intelligence and ability while being considered for a job. The table 6.7

shows the class obtained by respondents in the highest examination, this being

the criterion adopted to determine educatiod performance. The data shows

that only 9.60 percent of the respondents have obtained first class marks, that is,

60 percent and above. More than two third (70.80%) of the respondents fall

under thrd class category, that is, between pass mark and 50 percent. The

relatively poor educational performance of the respondents appears to be

one of the factors contributing to their unemployment. Sex-wise division

shows that female respondents are relatively better in educational performance

than male respondents . This is in consonance with the general performance

trends in public examinations conducted by various educational institutions in

Kerala.

Education-wise distribution shown in figure 6.5 represents the

educational performance of each category. The bleak educational performance

of SSLC category is clsarly evident from the data. Among the SSLC holders only

2.40 percent have obtained tirst class and among the rest majority (83.20%) fbll

under third class category. Pre-degree educated category shows little

improvement in the scoring of marks. Graduate respondents stand high in

educational performance with 32 percent being first class holders.

Table 67: Distribution of Respondents by Class Obtained in the Examination md Sea

Class Obtained

First Chss

Second Class

Third Class

All

Sex

All Yo

9.60

19.60

70.80

100.00

Male Yo

7.60

19.20

73.20

100.00

Female Yo

11.60

20.00

68.40

100.00

Figure 65: Class Obtained in the Examination and Educational LRvel of Respondent

- 1 tlFfrsl Class Second CIass OT-~ 1

6.3.5 Duration of Registration in Employment Exchange

The duration of registration in Employment Exchange reveals the

waiting period for getting a job. Table 6.8 shows that 37.60 percent of

respondents have registered their names with the Employment Exchanges in the

last three years. Around 39 percent of the respondents completed 4 -7 years in

the register of the employment exchanges. The remaining respondents retained

their regstration for a period 8-1 1 years and above. The prolonged waiting

periods in the Employment Exchanges show the intensity of the probjem of

unemployment among the educated youth. Sex-wise division of the data

confirms that the male respondents are keen on renewing the registration even

after a waiting period of more than eleven years .

Table 6.8: Distribution of Respondents by Duration of Registration with Employment Exchange and Sex

Figure 6.6: Duration of Registration with Employment Exchange and Educational Level o f Respondents

I 'Ol 82

Duration of Registration IY ears)

< =3

4-7

8-1 I

> I 1

AII

I SSLC % Re-degree% Graduate % I

13c = 3 m4 -7 ff8-11 Dri1 I

Sex

Male %

32.80

40.40

26.80

10.00

100.00

Female %

42.40

37.20

17.60

2.80

100.00

A11 %

37.60

38.80

17.20

6.40

100.00

The duration of registration in the Employment Exchanges has a

correlation to the level of education as revealed in figure 6.6 Among the SSLC

and pre-degree educated respondents 38 percent, 52 percent respectively

registered themselves with the Employment Exchange in the last three years.

The proportion of graduates falling under this category is only I5 percent. This

indicates that majority of the respondents registered their name in the

ernpIoyment exchange either with SSLC or pre-degree. The acute problem of

unemploqment even among the graduates is also evident from the data. The

waiting period of 34 percent of the graduates is between 8-1 1 years

Prolonged period of unemployment in some way also reduces their chances

for employment especidIy in the private sector as this is seen as a handicap by the

potential empio yen.

6.4 Socio-Economic Status

6.4.1 Caste

Caste background of a person plays a significant role in determining

the socio economic statusg. Therefore it is important to andyse the socio-

economic status in terms of caste division. For the purpose of analysis, the

respondents are categorised into three broad caste groups; viz., Forward

Castes and Communities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) and

Other Backward Castes and Communities (OBC).

Figure 6.7: Caste of Respondents

SCIST

OBC 34.2%

The forward castes consist of Brahmins and Nairs of Hindus and S!rm

Christians. The backward Hindu caste Erhavas and MusIims and L ~ i n

Christians constitute the other back-yard castes and communities. Figure 5 .7

shows that 54 percent of the respondents were from forward castes 34.20 pe:cent

fiom OBC and 1 t .80 percent from SCiST.

The correlation between educational attainment and caste status is

shown in figure 6.3. Caste-wise classification of data discloses inter caste

Merences in educational attainment. Among the SC/ST category only 1,; 17

percent has secured a graduate degree while the proportion for other a t e

groups are 14.62 percent for OBC and 25.55 percent for forward castes. The

data reveals the backwardness of SC/ST category in educational attainment.

Thus the inference drawn from the data is that educational attainment to a great

extent is influenced by caste status, that is, the higher the caste, the higher the

educational attainment and vice versa.

Figur6.8: Education and Caste of Respondents

Forward Ca*s.A OBC % SCIST %

S.S.L.C. W Pmdegree Gradur re

6.4.2 Family Income

Monthly household income as shown in figure 6.8 depicts the economic

status of the respondents. The respondents are largely concentrated in the

monthly income groups of Rs. 500- 1500 (36.60°h) and Rs. 1500-2500 (27.00%).

The proportion of respondents having a monthly income less than Rs. 500 is 2.60

percent only (see Figure 6.9). Average monthly f d y income of the househoIds

is Rs. 2396. Family income is not an independent variable, as it largeIy depends

on nature of occupation in which they are engaged, the size of land holdings,

the number of earning members and so on. The inter relationship of these factors

is examined separately in the discussion of each category.

Figure 6.9: Monthly Household Iacome o f Respondents

The correIation between monthly family income and caste status is

analysed in table 6.9. Caste-wise division of the data confirms the fact that caste

still iduences the economic status of the family. The data reveals that 50.85

percent of the SC/ST population U s under the income group of Rs. 500- 1 500.

The proportion in this income group is 43.28 percent for 08C and 29.26 percent

in the case of forward castes. Sharper differences are seen in the proportion of

SClST category with other caste groups in the lowest and the highest income

group..

Table 6.9: Distribution of Respondents by Monthly HousehoId Income and Caste

The educational attainment of the respondents in relation to monthly

house hold income is shown in table 6.10. The data reveal-that a higher

proportion of respondents with SSLC (44%) and pre-degree (32%) educated fall

under the income group of Rs. 500-1500. Among the graduates a higher

Monthly Household Income

(Rs.)

< 500

500- I500

1500-2500

2500-3 500

3 5 00-5 000

> = 5000

All

Forward Castes %

1.85

29.26

27.04

13 .33

12.22

16.30

IOO.00

OBC yo

2.92

43.28

29.24

10.53

4.09

9.94

100.00

SCIST %

5.08

50.85

. 20.34

13.56

6.78

3.39

100.00

proportion(26%) is found in the highest income group. However the data do

not clearIy indicate the iduence of economic background on educational

attainment of respondents.

Table 6.10: Distribution of Rmpondents by Monthly Househokl Income and Educational Level

6.4..3 Occupational Status of the Main Earner

The data regarding occupational status of the main earner in the

household and the interreIationship between caste and occupational stahrj is

shown in table 6.1 1.

Monthly House hold income

1

< 500

500- 1 500

1500-2500

2500-3500

3500-5000

> = 5000

Ail

SSLC ?6

2.00

44.00

26.80

13.20

7.20

6.SO

100.00

Pre -degree YO

3.33

32.00

30.68

13.33

7.33

13.33

100.00

Graduate %

3.00

25.00

22.00

9.00

15.00

26.00

100.00

Table 6.11: Distribution of Respondents by Occupational Status of the Main Earner and Caste

For the purpose of d y s i s the occupational status of the main earner is

broadly categorised under different occupational categories. The households are

mainly distributed among fow occupational groups; viz., , agriculturists,

(3 3.80%) nan- agriculturists, (24.00%) unskilled labourers(l3.80 %) and

public sector employees(1 1.80°/o). Surprisingly the remittances from those who

are employed abroad constitute only a smaller segment (2.60%). Caste-wise

Occupation of the Main Earner

Agriculturists

Non Agriculturists

Public Sector Employees

Private Sector Employees

Skilled Labourers

Unskilled Labourers

Pensioflentl Interest Earners

Persons Employed Abroad

iUI

Forward Castes

Yo

40.37

23.70,

13.70

8.15

1.48

7.42

2.59

2.59

100.00

OBC

%

28.65

28.65

8.19

3.51

7.60

17.55

2.34

3.51

100.00

SC/ST

54

18.65

11.86

13.56

1.69

18.65

32.20

3.39

0.00

100.00

All

%

33.80

24.00

1 1.80

5.80

5.60

13.80

2.60

2.60

100.00

break up of the data indicates the influence of caste factor on the occupational

status of the main earner . Sharper inter-caste differences are seen in the

proportion of skilled and unskilled labourers. The proportion of skilled labourers is

32.20 for the SC/ST. It declines to 17.50 percent in the case of OBC and it is

7.42 percent among the forward castes. Regarding public sector employment

forward castes (13.70%) and SC/ST(13.56%) have the same proportion in this

occupational category. This trend seems to be due to the reservation in

employment for the lower caste group.

The interrelationship between monthly household income and

occupational status of the main earner is shown in table 6.12. At a glance it can be

observed from the table that the proportion of t!e main earner is low among

skilled and unskilled labourers, pensioners and so on. Data reveals that 20.69

percent of private sector employees, 37.29 percent of public sector employees

and 84.62 percent of non-resident household members are earning a monthly

i income of Rs.5000 and above In a nutshell the observation from the data is that

monthly household income is directly related to the nature of job they are

engaged.

Table 6.12: Distribution of Respondents by Monthly Household Income and Occupatianal Status of the Main Earner

r

Monthly Household

Income (Rs-1

< 500

500- 1 500

1500-2500

2500-3 500

3500-5000

> = 5000

All

Occupation of the Main Earner

Agriculturist s

yo

3.55

43.20

30.18

10.05

5.92 '

7.10

100.00

Non- Agriculturist

s

yo

1.67

34.17

30.83

9.17

14.16

10.00

100.00

Public Sector

Employees

y o

0.00

3.39

22.04

18.64

18.64

37.29

100.00

Unskilled Labourers

9'0

7.25

65.22

27.53

0.00

0.00

0.00

100.00

Private Sector

Employees yo

0.00

13.79

17.24

3 1.04

17.24

20.69

100.00

Skilled Labourers

yo

0.00

42.85

25.00

32.14

0.00

0.00

100.00

PensionlRentl Interest Earners

yo

0.00

46.1 5

23.08

30.77

0.00

0.00

100.00

Persons Employed

Abroad %

0.00

0.00

0.00

7.69

7.69

84.62

100.00

6.4.4 Land Ownership

The land owned by the households is shown in table 6.13. The data

indicates that for more than 56 percent of the households the size of holding is less

than 50 cents of land. The number of households tends to fall with the increase in

the size of land holdings. The average size of land holdings of the households is

75 cents per holder which is lower than the average size of holdings in the district,

that is, 101.27 cents (0.4 1 ha.) according to Agricultural Census 199r3-9 1

Table 6.13: Distribution of Respondents by Land Owned by Households and Caste

Table 6.14: Distribution of Respondents by Occupational Status of the Main Earner and Caste

Castedivision of data incorporated in table 6.13 indicates the inter-

relationship between land ownership and caste. The inter-caste differences in

the possession of land is clearly evident from the data. The area of land owned

by 37.29 percent of the SC/ST category of respondent households is less than

50 cents per holder. The proportion of households in this group are 11.48 percent

and 27.49 percent respectively among the fonvard caste and other backward

castes. The forward castes enjoy a better position in the possession of land

holdings.

The relation between ownership of land and monthly household income is

shown in table 6.14. The proportion of households with less than 10 cent of land

has declined from 30.77 percent in the lowest income group to 4.76 percent in

the highest income group. In contrast the proportion of households with a

holding qf five acres and above increases from 1.09 percent in the income

group of Rs.500-1500 to 19.05 percent in the highest incomegroup. Thus it

can be inferred that household income is a significant variable influencing the

ownership of Iand.

6.4.5 Family Size and Earning Membem

The average family size and average number of &g members per

family under different income levels is shown in table 6. I 5 . The average f d y

size is 4.79 for the population under study which is lower than the average

household size of the district, that is, 5.05 according to 1991 ens us^. The

average family size increases fiom 4.62 in the lowest income gmup to 5.57 in

the highest income group. But in the income groups of Rs. 500-1500and L.

3500-5000 the average family size slightly declines. On the whole it is seen that

the average family size tends to rise with the increase in monthly household

income. The average number of earning members per fmily for the households

under study is 1.3 8 and the rest of the members are dependent.

Table 6.15: Average number of Persons per Family by Earning Members and Monthly Household Income.

Monthly Household Income (Rs.1

<SO0

500- 1500

1500-2500

2500-3500

3 500-5000

3 = 5000

All

Family Size

4.62

4.49

4.70

5.08

4.86

5.57

4.79

Earning Members

1.00

1.17

1.21

1.53

1.68

2: 03

1.38

Table 6.16: Average number of Persons per Family by Earning Members and Caste

The average number of earning members also increases with family

Caste

Forward Castes

OBC

SC/ST

income from 1 .OO in the Iowest income group to 2.03 in the highest income. But

no such trend is discernible when the respondents are classified on the b&s of

Family Size

4.82

4.82

4.59

caste status and the level of education (see Table 6.16 and 6.17).

Eaming Members

1.39

I .35

1.41

Table 6.17: Average number of Persons per Family by Earning Members and Educational Level of Responden&.

Educational Level

SSLC

Pre-degree

Graduate

Family Size

4.76

4.86

4.78

Emhg Members

1.4

1.33

1.39

6.4.6 Educational Background of Household Membem

Educational attainment of household members and its correlation

with the educational level of the respondents is shown in table 6.18. The influence

of educational attainment of household members on respondents education is

dearly evident fiom the data.

Table 6.18: Distribution of Household Members (above 15 Years) by Educational Level of Respondents

Education of Household Members

Below SSLC

SSLC

Pre-degree

Graduate

Post Graduation

Professional Degree

Others

All

All %

37.59

3 5.49

14.06

6.12

1-70

1.42

3.63

100.00

Educational Level

SSLC Yo

47.00

34.56

1 1 . 6 4

3.23

0.69

0.46

2.42

100.00

Pre-degree Yo

31.45

40.86

13.94

4.90

1.51

1.13

6.21

100.00

Graduate %

24.1 1

29.86

20.00

14.79

4.38

4.12

2.75

100.00

Table 6.19: Distribution of Household Members (above 15 Yeam) by Education m d Monthly Household Income. -

Education of Household Members

Below SSLC SSLC Pre-degree Graduate Post Graduation Professional Degree Others

- AII

- -

m w

Monthly Household Income (Rs.)

<500 Yo

46.15 43.59 10.26 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

100.00

500- 1500 %

48.84 34.72 12.46 2.49 0.33 0.00 1.16

100.00

1 5 00-2 500 %

32.82 43.98 10.94 6.35 I .09 0.00 4.82

100.00

2500-3500 54

36.29 35.44 15.61 6.33 0.42 0.85 5.06

100.00

3500-5000 %

26.22 32.32 18.90 12.80 3.66 3.05 3.05

100.00

>= 5000 %

27.16 23 -40 19.25 10.57 6.04 6.79 6.79

IO0.00

Table 6.20: Distribution of Household Membem (above 15 years) by Educationand Caste

The correlation shonn in table 6.18 indicates that the proportion of

graduate household members among the SSLC educated respondents is only 3.23

percent. It increases to 4.90 percent in the pre-degree educated respondents and

14.79 percent among the graduate respondents. The same trend is visible in the

case of household members having professional degree and post-graduation.

Educational backpound presented in the table shows that higher proportion of

Education of Household Members

Below SSLC

SSLC

Pre-degree

Graduate

Post Graduation

100.00 1 00.00 100.00

OBC Yo

45.80

34.93

11.70

3.95

Forward Castes Yo

29.64

37.78

15.14

8.46

SC/ST YO

50.75

26.13

16.08

1.51

household members have an educational qualification of SSLC (35.49%) and

below SSLC (37.59 YO). The proportion of professional degree holders and post

graduates is Iess than 2 percent.

The inter-relationship between economic background and educational

attainment is more evident in the case of household members than in the case of

respondents as found earlier . (refer Table 6.10). Table 6.19 shows that the

proportion of household members with higher educationd qualification; viz.,

graduates, post graduates and professional d e g e e holders increases with the level

of income. However it is to be noted that proporlionate increase is not found in

all income groups .

Caste-wise break up of the data shown in table6.20 dearly indicate the

inter-caste differences in educational attainment of house hold members as found

earlier in the case of respondents (refer Figure 6.8). The proportion of house

hold members not having SSLC qualification is 29.64 percent among the

forward castes, it increases to 45.80 percent in the case of OBC and 50.75

percent among the SC/ST. In contrast the proportion of graduate household

members is 8.46 percent, it declines to 3.95 percent, 1.5 I percent respectively

for the OBC and SC/ST (see Table 6.20). The absence of post graduates and

professional degree holders among the SCIST household members shou-s the

vulnerability position of this lower caste group in educational attainment.

This chapter confines to the description of the locale and the profile of the

resporidents. It da i s with the unique features of the district which are rdevant to

the present study. Before entering into detailed analysis of the data it is necessary

to understand the general characteristics of the respondents. The forthcoming

chapter examines the current activity status of the respondents and their

empIoyment perspectives in relation with factors such as sex, education and socio-

economic background.

Notes and References

1 . During the time of the 1991 Census there were six municipalities in Kottayam

district; viz., Palai, Erattupetta, Vaikom, Chmgamcherry, Kanjirappally and

Kottayam. The inclusion of Erattupetta and Kanjirappdy in the list of

municipalities was later cancelled.

2. The memorial which was presented to the Maharaja Sri Mulam ThirunaI was

drafted at a public meeting held in Kottayam Public Library. The: event marked

the beginning of modem politicaI movements in Travancore.

3. In Travancore untouchables were not only denied entry into temples but also

access to temple roads. The Vaikom Satyagraha sought to secure the public

road in front of ancient Siva temple in Vaikom open to untouchables. As a

result of the prolonged Satyagraha (1924-25) the road was opened to

untouchables. Later, in 1937, the Maharaja of Travancore issued a Royal

Proclamation h o w as Temple Entry Prodamation by which the doors of .

state temples were opened to all p hind us irrespective of caste or creed. The

Vaikorn satyagraha as a part of the movement for eradication of untouchability

is remembered as an important event of the fieedorn movement.

4. The Nivarthana agitation of early thirties demanded representation for non-

caste Hindus, Christians and M u h s in the State Legislature of Travancore.

5 . Few months after the completion of the field study, Pala Employment

Exchange was bifurcated into Paia and Kanjirappally exchanges. As a result

all the tduks got employment exchanges.

6 . It is a we1 known fact that strong rural-urban distinction is not marked in the

state of Kerala as compared to the rest of the country. In the present study

around 10 percent of the respondents were from urban areas in Kattayam

district. The small proportion of ufban respondenis was also a contributing

factor not to follow rural-urban distinction in the d y s i s of the data.

7. This conclusion is drawn from the fact that the age limit for many jobs in the

Central Government is 25-27 years of age. This includes jobs in Government

sectors; viz., banking, railway, army, police and so on. But there is a

special relaxation in the age limit for OBC and SC/ST. A special mention

may be made in this regard that the age limit is 35 and above in the case of

many posts filled through the State Public Service Commission.

8 . The variable of maritaI status was not used for establishing otherwise

significant correlation because the number of married respondents represented

in the study was marginal.

9. Refer Chandan Mukhejee & T.M. Thomas Isaac, 'Study of Educated

Unemployed in Kerda: Report of the Sample Survey of R ~ ~ ~ s P M ~ s of

Empluyrnetzt Exchange Regional Study Report on Educated Unemployment

Planning Commission of India, Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum,

November, 1 99 1, (Mimeograph) p . 1 7

10. The household is defined for the census operations as "a group of persons

who commonly live together and would take their meals from common

batches unless the exigencies of work prevented any of them from doing so".

But the researcher followed the concept used in the regional study report

on educated unemployment by the Planning Commission of India, that

included even those who stayed outside the household but were dependent

on income £torn the family or regularly contributed to the family income,

as long as they did not have an independent family of their own. See

Chandan Mukherjee & T.M. Thomas Isaac " Shr& of Educated Unemployed

in Kerala: Report of the Sample Survey of Registrants of EntpZoymenf

Exchange". Op. cit., p.20.