Interface of Gender and Caste in the Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Displaced Women in the Rayagada District of Odisha

Abstract

Kashipur block in Rayagada district of Odisha has witnessed displacement of tribal and Dalit people because of the establishment of Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL). During the process of establishing UAIL, the local communities were promised adequate compensation and a fair resettlement and rehabilitation policy by the state government as well as the company. However, there has been a lack of equitable distribution of resettlement and rehabilitation facilities, widespread gender bias and caste-based discrimination against Dalits and tribals while the company offered semi-skilled jobs. Moreover, the Dalit and tribal women have been subjected to gender-based discrimination on top of the caste-based discrimination faced generally by these communities. The present study is an attempt to examine such discriminations and the effect that this has had on the traditional livelihood practices of Dalit and tribal women. The study also explores how upper-caste people are controlling the legal and informal power in the region.