ECONOMIC TRENDS

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ALL THE THREE GROUPS.

The following comparative account of the three income groups discussed above reveals the general characteristics of the families from the selected centres in urban as well as rural areas of the district The first income group spent about 36 per cent of their total income on food items whereas the second and third income groups spent 42 and 60 per cent respectively on the same account. This shows that as income falls the percentage expenditure on articles of food shows an increase. The first and second income groups spent about the same amount on milk whereas the expenditure on this item was negligible in the case of the third group.

In regard to housing a marked difference could be noted. Families in the first group stayed in spacious bungalows in better localities of the towns and in spacious vadas of the rural areas. Most of these were well ventilated bungalows or blocks of 3 or more rooms decorated with luxurious articles and costly furniture. The case of the third income group offers a contrast living as they do in densely populated or congested areas of the town and on the outskirts of villages in small huts, that were generally ill ventilated with roofs at low heights from the ground

The same contrast is visible in regard to clothes and articles of dress. The first and second income groups spent considerably On the item which the families in the third group could not afford

On recreation and entertainment the first and second income groups spent Rs. 13 and Rs. 9 per month, respectively, whereas the third income group spent only Rs. 5 on this item. So also is the case with expenditure on medical account, education, social and religious and miscellaneous items. The conditions arc how ever, gradually changing with the change that is taking place in the economy of the district and with more and better opportunities the difference between the groups would not remain so marked in times to come.

TOP