Economics Chapter 1: The Story of Village Palampur

Introduction to Palampur

• Palampur is a fictional village used to introduce basic concepts related to production.
• The village is well-connected to neighboring villages and towns through an all-weather road.

Demographics and Infrastructure

• The village has around 450 families from different castes.
• 80 upper-caste families own most of the land, living in large brick houses with cement plastering.
• SCs (dalits) make up one-third of the population, living in smaller houses, some made of mud and straw, in one corner of the village.
• Most houses have electric connections, powering tubewells, small businesses, and other activities.

Education and Healthcare

• The village has two primary schools and one high school.
• A government-run primary health center and a private dispensary provide healthcare services.

Economy and Production

• Farming is the main production activity in Palampur, with other non-farm activities like small-scale manufacturing, transport, and shop-keeping.
• The village has a mix of natural resources, man-made items, human effort, and money that combine to produce goods and services.

Significance of Palampur's Story

• The story of Palampur will help explore various concepts related to production.
• The narrative is partly based on a research study of a village in Bulandshahr district, Western Uttar Pradesh.