Financial Inclusion among Backward Communities: A Study of the Tea Garden Workers in Assam, India

Abstract

Assam, a north-eastern state in India contributes the largest share in India’s total tea production. However, the workers in the tea gardens of the state are considered as one of the poor and marginalised sections of the population. The workers’ community has limited access to anti-poverty social security programmes and other social welfare schemes including formal financial services. Using primary data, this study examines the extent of financial inclusion among the tea garden workers in Assam. We study financial inclusion in terms of access to a bank account, credit and insurance. Our results reveal that financial inclusion among the workers has deepened considerably but not in all dimensions. We find education as an important determinant of financial inclusion among the tea garden workers in Assam. To make the process of financial inclusion among the tea garden workers more expeditious and comprehensive, specific initiatives towards delivering government-sponsored schemes are needed.