CHAPTER FOUR
\
\ CHAPTER IV
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA
4.1 Introduction :
With a broad survey of reports regarding the working of the RRBs in India, the study moves over to investigations of the progress of the AJGB with the ground realities. It becomes neces sary to understand the socio-economic environment of the dis tricts under study before studying the micro level aspects of the selected blocks.
The reports of the various committees have been ana lysed and commented upon in the previous chapter. It may be remarked here that, the different committees have opined in dif ferent ways. To evaluate such views it becomes necessary to study the working of the RRBs based on primary observations. It is already mentioned in the first chapter that the AJGB as one of the RRBs in Maharashtra is selected for the study. The present chapter aims at providing the background for an indepth study of the AJGB. The background sketches the demographic and socio economic profile of the two districts also.
The socio-economic environment of the two districts gives an idea of the available agricultural and man-power assets in the districts. Furthermore the micro level study of the socio economic environment of these selected blocks from the study area, is quite relevant for understanding the working of the RRB.
101 Thus t-he present chapter mainly deals with brief history, physio graphic and demographic features of the districts. In addition to this socio-economic characters of the three blocks selected for primary observations have also been incorporated in this chapter.
4.2 A Brief History Of The Districts :
The Aurangabad district is known as Aurangabad after the name of the district headquarters at Aurangabad. It was founded on the site of a village called Khirki in 1610 by Malik Amber, Prime Minister of Murtaza Nazim Shah II. After his death in 1626, the name was changed to Fatehpur by his son Fateh Khan who succeeded him as Prime Minister. When Aurangzeb invaded the Deccan in the year 1653, he made Fathepur his capital and changed the name to Aurangabad. Since then, the place has come to be known as Aurangabad. More than a third of the district was a jagir area under the Nazim’s regime. The Nazam’s own state was called "Sarf-e-khas" which along with the Government area in 1949. Aurangabad district was formerely included in the Hydrabad
State with the reorganisation of states in 1956, the district was transferred from Hydrabad state to Bombay State. Since 1st May L960, it has become a part of Maharashtra. Now the Aurangabad district comprises of 8 blocks. Aurangabad is the Division Head Quarters for Marathwada Revenue Division and is also an important 1 National-International Tourist Center.
L. Census Of India.1981.District Census Handbook Aurangabad.?. 9.
102 On the eve of the Maharashtra day of 1981, following the reorganisation of districts and blocks in the state, Jalna
District came into existence. Initially it had 5 blocks vi2 . Jalna, Bhokerdan, Jafrabad, Partur and Ambad, Keeping in view the Administrative convenience the 3 blocks, vi2 . Jalna, Ambad and Partur were further bifurcated to form additional three blocks viz. Badnapur, Ghansawangi and Mantha. This structural change was effected on 15th August, 1993. Jalna is the smallest district in the Marathwada region.
4.3 Location, Boundaries And Area Of The Districts :
The major part of the Aurangabad district falls in Godavari basin, only a small portion in the north and north-west beyond the Satmala hills lies in Tapi basin. The global position 0 of the district can be explained in terms of area between 19 18 0 and 20 40 east longitudes. It is roughly triangular in shape as shown in Map No. 1 on page no. 105. The southern side correspond ing to the Godavari river and the Northern side to the northeast trending arm of the Ajantha ranges, which themselves form the natural boundaries of the district. The district is bounded by the Jalgaon district in the North, Buldhana and Parabhani in the
East, Bid in the south and Nasik and Ahmednagar in the west. 2 Aurangabad district covers an area of 10107 K.M. .
103 Table 4.1
Demographic Features Of The Aurangabad And Jalna Districts
Sr. No. Particulars Maharashtra Aurangabad Jalna
01. Gross Area Sq.km. 3,07,690 10107 773 02. Total Population (1991) 78,706,719 2,209,052 1,364,718 Male 40,652,056 1,146,889 696,855 Female 38,054,663 1,062,163 667,863 03. Decennial Growth Rate For 25.36 39.30 32.47 1981-91(ln Percentage)
04, Density Of Population 256 219 179 05. Sex Ratio 934 922 958 06. Percentage Of Literacy 64.9 56.48 46.25 07. Percent Scheduled Cast 11.1 13.79 12.93 Percent Scheduled Tribe 9.3 3.77 2.07 08. No. Of Villages 41833 1959 915
09. No. Of Towns - 10 04
10. Literate Male Per 100- - 201 249 Literate Females (1991)
1 1 . Female Literacy Range - 30 to 40 Less- For 1991 ( in percent ) than 30
L2. Total Workers 33,737,036 946,928 657,443 Rural 23,872,005 737,892 589,252 (77.9 X) (89.6 X) Urban 9,856,031 209,036 68,191 (22.1 X) (10.4 %)
13. Work Participation Rate 42.84 45.86 48.25
Source : Census Of India 1991, Series 14, Maharashtra : Provisional Population Tables
104 Location map of the Aurangabad and Jalna Districts
105 0 Absolute location of the Jalna district is 19 15 to 0 0 ’ 0 20 32 north latitudes, and 75 36 to 76 45 east longitudes. It is surrounded by the Jalgaon district from the northern and the Buldhana and Parbhani districts from the eastern sides. On the southern there is the Beed district and at its west there is the Aurangabad district. The total area of the Jalan district is 2 273 K.M.
4.4 Physiography :
4.4.1 Relief : The study area lies on Maharashtra Plateau, the northern part of the study area is marked by the AJantha and Sathmala hills, dissected by the branches of Purna and Dhudhna Rivers. The southern part of both the districts is comparatively a plain region, in the vicinity of the river Godavari. The blocks selected for micro level studies have three different physio graphic categories. Vaijapur block is distinctly a plain and dry region. The Aurangabad block is a partly hilly and a partly plain region. In the Sillod block offshoots of AJantha ranges and tributaries of Dhudhna river offer advantages for construction of minor irrigation projects. Furthermore, the ground water resource is also comparatively good in this block.
4.4.2 Climate :
Except for the southwest monsoon period the climate of both the districts is generally dry but pleasant and agreeable during the greater part of the year. Periodically, the climate year can be classified into three seasons.
1 0 6 tl} Moderately warm wet season from June to September. C2J Cool dry season from October to February. C3J Hot dry season from March to May.
Minimum temperature in both the districts is in Janu- 0 ary. ( 1 5 C ). In rainy season the temperature normally ranges 0 0 between 20 C to 30 C. May is the hottest month in which maximum 0 temperature rises as high as 41 C. During summer the days are hot and nights are fairly cool. In winter, night cooling is fairly intense, leading to a formation of dew. This has been considered as a supplementary water resource for rabbi cultiva tion.
The south-west monsoon is responsible for the rains. The variability of rainfall is very high, due to prevalence of dryness diurnal range of temperature is high. It is reflected in the fact that the probability of getting assured and timely rainfall is quite low. According to the fact-finding committee of the State Government of Maharashtra (1973) the major portion of the districts lies in the drought prone zone. In both the dis tricts the average rainfall ranges between 600 mm to 800 mm. In the span of about every three years both the districts generally experience scarcity of rains.
4,4.3 Soil :
The soil of both the districts is black cotton ( clay ) soil, which is helpful for kharif and rabbi crops like cotton.
107 jawar, bajra, wheat, groundnut,, sunflower and pulses. The soil can be classified as light, medium and heavy according to its texture and depth. In the Aurangabad district, particularly in the southern blocks, and along the river banks the soil is deep black and very fertile. The soil along the river banks in the Jalna district, especially in Ambad and Partur blocks is deep black and quite fertile, while in the Aurangabad district in the northern and western portions is hilly and rocky where soil is shallow and poor. Similar types of soils are observed in northern parts of the Jalna district i.e. in Jalna, Bhokardhan and Jafra- bad blocks. The broad view of physiographich characteristics of the study area suggests that the area is poor in physiographic resources. It is obvious that the study area must get erogenic support so far as water resources are concerned. In addition, the techniques of management of these resources must be improved. The scope of such improvement may be understood with the help of the knowledge of demographic and socio-economic features of the study area.
4.5 Demographic And Socio-economic Features :
Some basic statistics indicating broad demographic features of the two districts along with the state are mentioned in Table 4.1. It Is seen from the table 4.1 that the decennial growth rate ( 1981- 1991 ) is significantly on the higher side in both the districts as compared to the state. Amongst the two
districts Aurangabad has highest decennial population growth rate i.e. 39.30 percent. As an indicator of backwardness, liter acy of the Aurangabad district is 56.48 percent as against the
1 0 8 state literacy of 64.9 percent. Female literacy is further on the lower side i.e. about 30 to 40 percent in the Aurangabad district and less than 30 percent in the Jalana district. The ratio of Literate male and female is more than two times in both the districts. Higher the ratio, lesser the female literacy. The working population in the districts has a rural bias. It is observed from the Table 4.1 that, about 77.9 percent of the total workers in the Aurangabad district are in rural areas; the pro portion is much higher i.e. 89.6 percent in Jalna district. This indicates that the study area is mainly dependent on agriculture and allied activities, inspite of the efforts made to develop the Aurangabad Jalna industrial area for the last 15 years. It is in this context that the importance of the RRBs should be viewed. The AJGB has its headquarters at Aurangabad along with 28 branch es spread in the Aurangabad district and 25 in the Jalana dis trict . The location of the AJGB and area covered are shown sepa rately on Map No. 2 on page no. 112.
Table 4.2
Socio-economic Features Of The Aurangabad And Jalna Districts
Sr.No. Particulars Aurangabad Jalna
01. Geographical Area Sq. Km. 10,107 773
02, Area Under Forest Land 79,000 3,500
109 Sr.No. Particulars Aurangabad Jalna
03. Fallow Land 14,000 76,300 (12.6 %) 04. Net Cropped Area 7,55,000 6,05,000 05. Total Irrigated Area 1,26,000 1,03,000 06. Net Irrigated Land 1,15,000 69,800 07. Total No. Of Farmers 3,65,000 2,15,400 08. Total No. Of Labors 2,51,000 1,74,100 09. Land Holding (In Hector) (1981)
Cal Less than 2 hectors 33,891 20,680
r.bl Between 1 to 2 hectors 1,24,563 35,508 [c] Between 2 to 5 hectors 3,32,554 69,032 Cd] Between 5 to 10 hectors 2,07,757 25,490 Ce] Above 10 hectors 12,268 12,480 10. Markets
Cal Market Yards 8 5
[b] Co.Op.Marketing Society 8 5
[cl Ware-Houses 15 5 LI. Transport Arid Communication
Ca] Roads (K.m.) 5,308 2,328 C d Railways (K.m.) 102 88 Cc] Post-Offices (No) 331 162
110 Sr.No. Particulars Aurangabad Jalna
12. Bank Offices ( In Numbers )
Ca3 Commercial Banks 24 08 Cb3 Branches Of Comm. Banks 106 47 r—5 1 _ 0
1 District Central Co.Op. Banks 01 01 [d] Branches Of DDC 134 86 Te3 Regional Rural Banks 01 - [ The AJGB Head Office >
[f 3 Branches Of the RRB (AJGB) 28 25 [g3 Primary Agreed Co.Op. Societies 694 472 L3. Industries
[al Permanent Registered SSI Units 1,761 880 J m cr U i—1 Temporary Registered SSI Units 3,789 10 Cc3 Medium And Big Industries 121 13 14. Power
[a3 Villages Electrified 1,250 904 [b3 Pumpset Electrified 95,473 40,300 [c3 Bio-Gas Plants 7,347 5,120
Sources :
[13 Economic Survey Of Maharashtra 1992-93, The Aurangabad District. [23 District Census Handbook Of 1991. [33 Ministry Of Health And Family Welfare (1991-92). 4 [43 Epitome Of Agriculture In Maharashtra (1989-90).
Ill
Primarily both the districts are thus predominantly agriculture-based. With the exception of the industrial base near Aurangabad City, the economy of the two districts almost wholly depends on agriculture. Detailed information regarding socio economic features of the two districts coming under the perview of the AJGB is mentioned in Table 4.2. The data given in the table focus on the fact that Jalna district is more backward than the Aurangabad district, in terms of urbanisation, agriculture and industries. e.g. The urban workforce in Jalna district is just 10.4 percent. There is only one railway line 88 k.m. in length. The roads are also just 2328 k.m. long. The no. of com mercial and co-operative banks is on a lower side in the dis trict. About 12.6 percent of the cropped area is a fallow land. This indicates the effects of harsh environments for agriculture. It seems that Jalna is one of the industrially backward districts in the state. Out of 880 small scale units in the district, only 396 were functioning. These industries are mainly engineering or agro-based. They alone account for about 75 percent of the total number of industrial units. As far as infrastructural facilities and marketing arrangement are concerned, Jalna lags much be hind, while Aurangabad is many times well advanced in all these
respects.
4.6 Blockwise Profile Of The Study Area :
We have selected three blocks from the igabad district for the collection of primary data. These bl~— v have relatively different features. Aurangabad is an industrial as
113 well as a "tourist center. Sillod is a rural block. It is a more irrigated block. It has a larger no. of farmers. The rainfall in the area is also relatively more. Besides Sillod has a very low rate of literacy compared to the two other two blocks.
Table 4.3
Blockwise Profile Of The Study Area
Sr.No . Particulars Aurangabad Sillod Vaijapur
[A] Demographic Features
Gross Area ( in Sq. Km. > Total 1,610.6 1,517.2 1,510.5 Rural 1,560.1 1,517.2 1,502.7
Urban 50.5 - 7.8 Population (in ’000) (1991)
Persons 829 296 218 Male 438 152 112 Female 391 144 106 Rural 237 267 188 Urban 595 029 030 Density Of Population
Total 320 147 116 Rural 128 147 102
Urban 6,268 - 2,629 Sex Ratio (1981) 889 959 960
114 Sr.No. Particulars Aurangabad Sillod Vaijapur
r.5i No. Of SCs and STs Population (1991) (’000)
Total 37(4.5%) 24(8.1%) 18(8.3%) Male 20 12 09 Female 17 12 09 Rural Total 18 24 16 Male 09 12 08 Female 09 12 08 Urban Total 19 - 02 Male 11 - 01 Female 08 - 01 [6] Percentage Of Literacy (1981) Total 47.94 28.44 40.73 Male 60.33 44.59 56,90 Female 34.02 11.59 23.87 Rural Total 29.73 28.44 38.66 Male 45.52 44.59 55.51
Female 12.96 11.59 21.18
Urban Total 59.43 - 56.16 Male 69.26 - 67.09 Female 47.97 ““ 44.38
115 Sr.No. Particulars Aurangabad Si Ho d Vaijapur
[B] Socio-Economic Features
CU No. Of Villages 218 173 163 Inhabited 191 171 163 Uninhabited 27 02 -
[2] No. Of Cities 02 - 01 [33 No. Of Farmers 47,800 56,000 36,100 [43 No. Of Agriculture 29,300 27,900 24,700 Labourers
[53 Household Workers 3,900 1,600 1,300 [6] Rainfall (mm) 734 776 544
[73 Geographical Area (100 ha) 1,611 1,517 1,593 [8 3 Forest Area (100 ha) 268 28 03 C9] Total Cultivated Area 1,363 1,042 1,393 (100 ha)
[103 Pasture Land (100 ha) 108 54 41 CU] Fallow Land (100 ha) 30 164 28 C12] Total Irrigated 18,915 19,868 11,787 Land (In ha)
[13] Irrigation Wells (No.) 7,615 6,027 8,870 [14] Electric Pumpset (No.) 17,532 12,557 13,541
v\ !-* i—\ Tube Wells (No.) 472 391 570 C 16] Bullocks (No.) 35,914 41,980 32,856 [17] Cows (No.) 23,395 20,441 20,008 C18] Cattle Population (No.) 2, 16,776 1,88,507 1,55,179
116 Sr.No. Particulars Aurangabad Sillod Vaijapur
r.19] Veterinary Aid Centers 17 08 14 [201 Dairy Societies 107 56 49 [211 Sugar Factories 01 01 03 [22] No. Of Post And Telegraph 47 55 49 Offices [231 Banks
Source :
[13 Economic Survey Of Maharashtra, 1992-93. [23 Socio-Economic Review And District Statistical Abstract, Aurangabad, 1991 - 92.
Table 4.3 depicts the distinctive features of the three blocks. Aurangabad block has a high level of urbanisation and hence a high density of population, i.e. 320. Sillod shows the
117 second highest, density (147) with 100 percent rural population. Vaijapur being a drought-affected block shows lowest density of rural population. (102). In this block there is only one urban center having density of population 2629. This suggests that the urbanisation is not intensified because of the lack of industri alization. Sillod and Vaijapur blocks show a higher proportion of socially weaker sections i.e. 8.1 percent and 8.3 percent respec tively. While Aurangabad has only 4.5 percent. The number of farmers in the Sillod block is the highest of all the districts under study i.e. 56,000. It is experienced in the field survey that, the process of the fragmentation of land has been acceler ated due to irrigation in this block. This has affected on the land-holding pattern. The proportion of small farmers and margin al farmers is thus on a higher side. Although Vaijapur block shows the highest no. of wells, irrigation potential is very low due to lower ground water level. The field survey reveals that the funds for digging wells are quite insufficient to tap the ground water resource. It may be appropriate to remark here that the credit strategy of the RRB to achieve rural development should be flexible according to the local environmental factors.
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