The socio economic condition of the slum dwellers is generally poor because of the lack of basic social amenities; functional skills, proper education, source of the income, hygiene and health resources. However, slum dwellers directly or indirectly play an important role in nation building. With this point of view the study of slum dwellers becomes important. This paper attempts to demonstrate the theoretical ideas relating to socio-economic conditions of slum dwellers and its reasons and to extend appropriate measures for the improvement in the conditions of slum dwellers. Since, slum dwellers are the stock of the potential human resource, it can be developed through skill enhancement programmes initiated by the government and through appropriate public action relating to social provisions and redistribution social amenities. This paper is conceptual in nature and based on detailed literature collected from various sources like books, research articles, NSSO reports, Census of India etc. Lastly, this paper suggests the effective measures to minimize the problems and raise the living conditions of the slum dwellers.

Slums dwellers are vulnerable parts of the society. They are facing various types of the problems like health and hygiene related problems, low level of income, poor housing conditions and lack of social amenities. Unhealthy living conditions of slum dwellers are the result of a lack of basic services, with visible, open sewers, lack of pathways, uncontrolled dumping of waste, polluted environments, and unorganized building constructions etc. The existence of the slum is a global phenomenon. Some social scientist said that, slum is the by-product of modern era. The development of the city is very important, but the provision for the slums population is needful. There is need to develop the plans and policies for the up gradation of the slum dwellers in terms of infrastructural development and basic amenities. Slums are increasingly faced with negative consequences such as polarization of population in large cities, high density, slums and squatter settlements, acute shortage of housing and basic civic amenities, degradation of environment, traffic congestion, pollution, poverty, unemployment, crime and social unrest.