Inequalities among Rural Households-A Case for Shri Muktsar Sahib District

Abstract

The present study attempts to analyse inequality in income, consumption and assets among rural households in Shri Muktsar district of Punjab. For the purpose of this study, one village from each development block of Shri Muktsar district has been selected on random basis. Thus, in all four villages are selected from the district for the survey. A representative proportional sample of 182 households comprising farmers, agricultural labourer and other households has been taken up for the survey. The study reveals that widespread inequalities prevail in the rural areas of Shri Muktsar district. Gini coefficient of all the households taken together is of the order of 0.3118, indicating a highly skewed distribution of income. The income concentration among the farm households is slightly greater than that of the agricultural labour households and all other households. Inequality in consumption expenditure is higher among other category households. This is because of some household are engaged in small business some other are engaged in non-agricultural labourer. The assets concentration among the farm as well as others household is higher than the agricultural labour households. Inequality in asset holding is higher than other indicators.