Exclusion of extreme of marginalised people in Nepal - Dr. Harkha Gurung

The consequence of primacy given to Hindu ethos has been the entrenchment of the high caste in the power structure. They constitute over 90 percent of the governing elite, of which 66.2% is of hill origin. Their dominance is reflected well in education, administration, and economy. Among those with higher education, 73.8% is higher caste, 22.0% Janajati and 2.9% Dalit. Owing to their larger pool of the educated, high caste monopolise the bureaucracy. The number of candidates passing for gazetted post in recent years shows even increasing disparity. In 1984/85, the proportion of such successful ones was 69.3% high caste, 18.6%, Newar, 8.5% Madhesi and 3% Janajati. By 2000/2001, high caste share increased to 87% while those of Newar, Madhesi and Janajati declined to 8.7%, 3.2% and 0.5 % respectively.

According to the population census 2001, upper castes constitute 35.4% of total economically active population. By major occupation, they dominate in prefessional/techincal (62.2%), legislative/administrative (58.3%) and clerical (53.6%). On the reverse, Dalit who constitute 11.9% of economically active population have only a nominal representation in such occupations: 1.6 % in professional/ technical, 1.3% in legislative/administrative, 3.9% in clerical. Among those engaged in elementary occupation 36.1% are Janajati, 22.6% Dalit and 19.1% upper caste.

Nepal Living Standard Survey – II provides the latest data on per capita income by caste/ethnic groups. The Newar ranks highest with an average per capita income of Rs.
38,193. High castes come next with an average income of Rs. 24,399. Janajati
(excluding Newar) rank third with an average income of Rs. 15,630. Then follow the Dalit with an average income of Rs. 12,114. The Muslim rank the lowest at Rs. 11,014. However, some tarai social groups are worse off than others. Tarai Janajati (Rs. 12,467) have lower average per capita income than Hill Dalit (Rs.13,340) and tarai Dalit (Rs.10,889) are worse off than the Muslim. This is an obvious evidence of regional marginalisation of the terai"source : social inclusion and nation building in nepal by Dr.Harka Gurung