Financial Vulnerability, Sustainable Livelihoods, and Entrepreneurial Resilience among SC and ST Communities: Evidence from Pune District
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66635/8fzpxe10Keywords:
financial vulnerability, economic resilience, sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurial resilience, financial inclusionAbstract
Financial vulnerability and economic resilience are central to understanding the socioeconomic conditions of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in India. Despite constitutional safeguards, affirmative action policies, and welfare initiatives, these communities continue to face structural disadvantages related to unstable income, limited asset ownership, informal employment, indebtedness, and restricted access to institutional finance. This study examines financial vulnerability, sustainable livelihoods, and entrepreneurial resilience among SC and ST households in Pune District over the period 2015–2025. Using a mixed-method approach, the study draws on primary data from 60 respondents and secondary information from policy documents, government reports, and financial inclusion sources. Key indicators include income level, employment status, indebtedness, savings behavior, asset ownership, access to formal banking, participation in welfare schemes, self-employment, micro-enterprise activity, skill development, and market access. The findings indicate that financial inclusion has improved through bank accounts, welfare benefits, direct benefit transfers, and microfinance support. However, low income, dependence on informal credit, limited insurance coverage, and weak productive asset ownership continue to constrain long-term resilience. Education, savings habits, welfare participation, SHG support, and livelihood diversification strengthen household resilience. The study concludes that financial inclusion alone is insufficient unless linked with entrepreneurship development, institutional credit, skill training, market linkages, and asset-building strategies to promote sustainable livelihoods and inclusive economic growth among SC and ST communities.
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