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Chapter No. 03: Constitutional Provisions & Government’s Role.
Introduction.
General Development of SCs & STs.
The Objectives and Strategy for SC / ST Development.
Welfare Policy for the Empowerment Of The Scheduled Castes.
Constitutional Provisions for safeguards of SCs & STs.
Constitutional Provisions for the SC/ST/OBC and minorities.
Legislative framework.
Reservations -Constitutional Safeguards.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Department of Welfare of SC /ST & Minority.
Scheduled Castes/Tribes Welfare Schemes.
Social Welfare Department (Backward Class Wing) Of Maharashtra.
Measures for Uplift by Social Welfare Department Of Maharashtra.
Reservation Policy.
Scheduled Caste Welfare Organizations.
88
National Commission For Scheduled Castes.
National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC).
SC/ST Surveys.
Impact of Government Programmes.
Plan Initiatives in Development of SC & ST.
Special provisions.
Special Training And Rehabilitation Programmes For SCs & STs.
Importance of Awareness among SC / ST Community.
Strategies for Development of SC & ST.
89
Introduction: A number of Constitutional provisions exist for
protection and promotion of the interests of the weaker
sections. In conformity with the directive principles of State
Policy, social justice has been an avowed goal of
development. During the six decades of planning, a variety
of programmes were launched with the objective of
improving the socio-economic condition of Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes. These measures have, no doubt,
yielded results but not commensurate with the efforts or the
needs of the target groups. A specific sector of Backward
Classes was included from the First Plan to cater to the
special needs of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other
Backward Classes.1 It was visualized that the general
development programmes should be so designed as to take
care of the needs of Backward Classes as well and the
special provisions in the Backward Classes Sector would be
additive, to be used, as far as possible, for meeting the
special developmental needs of these groups. Unfortunately,
this expectation was belied in most cases and the Backward
Classes Sector provisions, instead of supplementing the
general sectors of development, tended to supplant the
general sector provisions. It was, in this context, that the
concept of Tribal Sub-Plan was introduced during the Fifth
Plan and Special Component Plan for Scheduled Castes
during the Sixth Plan to facilitate monitoring of development
programmes for the benefit of Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes.
90
General Development of SCs & STs: The Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) of 1979
mandated a planning process for the social, economic and
educational development of Scheduled Castes and
improvement in their working and living conditions. It was
an umbrella strategy, ensuring the flow of targeted financial
and physical benefits from the general sector of development
to the Scheduled Castes. It entailed a targeted flow of funds
and associated benefits from the annual plan of states and
Union Territories (UTs) in at least a proportion to the
national SC population. Twenty-seven states and UTs with
sizable SC populations are implementing the plan. Although
the Scheduled Castes population according to the 2001
Census was 16.66 crores (16.23 percent of the total
population), the allocations made through SCSP have been
lower than the proportional population.2
The Objectives and Strategy for SC / ST Development: The Government has spent a lot of funds on various
schemes of SC /ST development during last six decades.
This massive fund flow has helped in building up
infrastructure facilities like irrigation dams, road network,
electrification, health and education in the tribal areas. All
these have affected the living standards and quality of life of
SC /ST people. The focus of the plan was on improving the
economic status of backward and providing basic
infrastructure facilities in the tribal areas. The strategy also
specifically aimed at improving the living environment of the
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tribal by giving them better social and civic amenities and
facilities. The objectives of the 12th Plan are:3
Reduction in the incidences of poverty and
unemployment and thereby reduction in income
inequalities.
Human resource development of the scheduled tribes
by providing them economic & health services and
development of the confidence among them through
intensive educational efforts.
Development and strengthening of infrastructure base
for further economic exploitation of the resources
(physical and human both) in tribal areas.
Providing physical & financial security against all types
of exploitation.
The strategy to achieve these objectives has a blend of
area based and individual based approach. The efforts will
be to strengthen and develop vibrant socio-economic
infrastructure on the one hand and on the other to provide
better means of livelihood to those who still live on
inadequate economic base Thrust Area. Human resources
development through education and vocational training
receive the importance. Women education will be given
special importance because the literacy level of tribal women
is very low. Facilities like hostels, residential schools and
multipurpose hostels up to college level will be provided
during the 12th plan period.
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Welfare Policy for the Empowerment of the Scheduled Castes:
The welfare policy for the empowerment of the
Scheduled Castes includes various schemes. Many a times,
there are common schemes for both the Scheduled Castes
and the Scheduled Tribes.4
1. For the up-liftment of SC and ST population and to
facilitate them to secure proper place in the society,
various concessions are given to them. The
Government has also evolved methods to protect the
interests of the SCs and STs through procedural,
institutional and other safeguards.
2. A broad strategy was evolved for welfare and
development of SCs and STs by introducing 'Tribal
sub-Plan' for STs and the Special Component Plan for
SCs, from the 5th Five Year Plan.
3. Covering all activities of the Central Government
through its various Ministries such as Health and
Education. The Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment runs a number of programs for the
development of SCs and STs.
4. State Governments also have standing committees of
State Assembly on the welfare of these two
communities.
5. The concessions available to them are:
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a. Reservation in service/post in government and public
sector Undertakings to be filled up by direct
recruitment and promotion.
b. Relaxation of maximum age limit for direct recruitment
and posts to be filled by promotion.
c. Concessions in recruitment fees, Examination fees etc.
d. Separate interviews for SC/ST candidates for direct
recruitment.
e. Relaxation of qualification, experience and other
criterion for appointment.
f. Travelling allowance for attending written test
interviews for recruitment.
g. Extension of zone of considerations for promotions to
indeed SC/ST employees.
h. Reservations in general residential accommodations.
Provisions in the Conduct Rules against harassment of
SC/ST employees.
i. Reservations in dealerships of PSU products and
concessions in the conditions related to dealership.
Various welfare schemes are run by the Central
Government itself and also through the State Governments.
They are run by the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment. They provide grants for hostels, book banks,
Ashram schools, grants to voluntary organizations, research
and training, investment in share capital, low literacy
pockets for girls, vocational training centers, scheme of
village gram bank, post-matric scholarships, national
94
overseas scholarships, coaching and allied scheme, scheme
for liberation of scavengers etc.5
The Special Component Plan (SCP) was introduced in
India in 1979 with a view to achieving overall development
of SCs and STs and to raise them above the poverty line. It
is an umbrella program implemented by Central and State
governments for addressing the needs of these communities.
Under the Central schemes introduced in 1979-80, the
Special Component Plan is to be extended to supplement
efforts of State/Union territories for ensuring rapid socio-
economic development of SCs. The objective of the SCP is to
give an added thrust to the developmental programs for SCs
with reference to their occupational needs for increasing the
productivity of and income from their limited assets by
taking up family oriented schemes for them. It is used to fill
the critical gaps and provide the Central Government a
leverage in directing flow of funds in area critical to the
developmental needs of the SCs. Government at both the
levels have, according to the exigencies of time, evolved and
adapted several intervention mechanism for the welfare of
the SCs. These measures have been introduced to secure
their social, educational and economic development. To
achieve their social integration and development and
specifically to protect them from exploitation, the protection
of Civil Rights Act, 1955, and Prevention of Atrocities Act
1989 were enacted.6 These are different instruments aiming
95
at prevention of exploitation of the person belonging to the
SCs in any form.
Constitutional Provisions for safeguards of SCs & STs: The social and economic position of the Scheduled
Castes had been the concern of the Constitution. For
providing safeguards for Scheduled Castes special
provisions were made to promote the social, educational,
economic and service interest of this section of the society.
In order to ensure that the safeguards are properly
implemented the Constitution on its inception, provided for
appointment of a special office under Article 338 of the
Constitution to investigate all matters relating to the
safeguards provided for Scheduled Castes & Scheduled
Tribes and report to the President about the working of
these safeguards. In pursuance of this provision a Special
Officer known as the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes &
Scheduled Tribes was appointed for the first time on 18th
November, 1950. By 1965 the Commissioner of Scheduled
Castes & Scheduled Tribes has 17 regional offices located in
various States, headed by Assistant Commissioners for
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who were in July
1965, re-designated as Deputy Commissioners. This field
organization of the Commissioner was recognized into 5
Zonal offices in June 1967 and placed under the control of
the newly created Directorate General of Backward Classes
Welfare in the department of Social Welfare.7
96
Each Zonal office was headed by a Zonal Director.
Backward Classes welfare & the erstwhile regional Deputy
Commissioner for SC & ST were re-designated as Deputy
Directors. Backward Classes welfare and placed under the
control of Zonal Directors located at Chandigarh (Northern
Zone), Bhopal (Central Zone), Patna (Eastern Zone), Baroda
(Western Zone) and Madras (Southern Zone). The Eastern
Zone office has two branches at Bhubaneswar and Shillong
and later a branch office of the Central Zone was set up at
Lucknow. Each of these branches was headed by a Deputy
Director. The Western Zone office was shifted to Ahmedabad
in 1969.
It was felt that the office of the Commissioner for
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was not enough to
monitor the safeguards provided to SCs & STs. Hence, due
to voice raised by Members of Parliament, a proposal was
mooted for amendment of Article 338 of the Constitution
(46th Amendment) by replacing the single member Special
Officer by multi-member system. The first Commission for
SC & ST came into being on August, 1978. With effect from
1-12-78 the field offices were transferred to the newly set up
Commission for SCs & STs and the Zonal Directors, BCW
and the Deputy Directors, BCW were re-christened as
Directors for SCs & STs and Deputy Directors for SCs & STs
respectively. Later on the Zonal set up was abolished and
the Commission once again had 17 field offices. Since the
field Directors were also working for the Commissioner for
97
SCs & STs, they were re-designated as Director for SCs &
STs and Ex-officio Deputy Commissioner for SCs & STs.
The functions of the Commission for SCs & STs and of
the Commissioner for SCs & STs co-existed till 11.03.1992.
The erstwhile Commissioner for SCs/STs during their office
had submitted 30 reports. The setup of the Commission of
1978 underwent change in 1987 and it was named as
National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes. This Commission being a National Level Advisory
body played the role of adviser on major policy and
developmental issues relating to SCs/STs. This Commission
for SCs & STs had submitted 8 reports during its tenure.
The National Commission for SCs & STs came into
being consequent upon the 65th Amendment Bill, 1990
notified on 8.6.1990, and rules there under were notified on
3.11.1990. In the 89th Amendment of the Constitution it
was decided to have a separate National Commission for
Scheduled Castes & separate National Commission for
Scheduled Tribes. This came into effect on 19.02.2004. The
erstwhile National Commission for SCs & STs was
bifurcated into two different Commissions. After bifurcation
there are at present 12 State Offices under the jurisdiction
of NCSC. These are located at Agartala, Ahmedabad,
Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad,
Kolkata, Lucknow, Patna, Pune & Thiruvananthapuram.8
98
Constitutional Provisions for the SC/ST/OBC and Minorities:9
Art. 15(4): Clause 4 of article 15 is the fountain head of
all provisions regarding compensatory discrimination
for SCs/STs. This clause was added in the first
amendment to the constitution in 1951 after the SC
judgment in the case of Champakam Dorairajan vs
State of Madras. It says thus, "Nothing in this article or
in article 29(2) shall prevent the state from making any
provisions for the advancement of any socially and
economically backward classes of citizens or for
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes." This clause
started the era of reservations in India.
Art. 15 (5) : This clause was added in 93rd amendment
in 2005 and allows the state to make special
provisions for backward classes or SCs or STs for
admissions in private educational institutions, aided or
unaided.
Art. 16(4): This clause allows the state to reserve
vacancies in public service for any backward classes of
the state that are not adequately represented in the
public services.
99
Art. 16 (4A): This allows the state to implement
reservation in the matter of promotion for SCs and
STs.
Art. 16(4B): This allows the state to consider unfilled
vacancies reserved for backward classes as a separate
class of vacancies not subject to a limit of 50 per cent
reservation.
Art. 17: This abolishes untouchability and its practice
in any form. Although the term untouchability has not
been defined in the constitution or in any act but its
meaning is to be understood not in a literal sense but
in the context of Indian society. Due to the varna
system, some people were relegated to do menial jobs
such as cleaning toilets. Such people were not to be
touched and it was considered a sin to even touch
their shadow. They were not even allowed to enter
public places such as temples and shops. The
constitution strives to remove this abhorring practice
by not only making the provision a fundamental right
but also allows punishment to whoever practices or
abets it in any form. Towards this end, Protection of
Civil Rights Act 1955 was enacted. It has implemented
several measures to eradicate this evil from the society.
It stipulates up to 6 months imprisonment or 500 Rs
fine or both. It impresses upon the public servant to
investigate fully any complaint in this matter and
100
failing to do so will amount to abetting this crime. In
the case of State of Kar. vs Appa Balu Ingle, SC upheld
the conviction for preventing a lower caste person from
filling water from a bore well.
Art. 19(5): It allows the state to impose restriction on
freedom of movement or of residence in the benefit of
Scheduled Tribes.
Art. 40: Provides reservation in 1/3 seats in
Panchayats to SC/ST.
Art. 46: Enjoins the states to promote with care the
educational and economic interests of the weaker
sections, specially SC and STs.
Art. 164: Appoint special minister for tribal welfare in
the states of MP, Bihar, and Orrisa.
Art. 275: Allows special grant in aids to states for tribal
welfare.
Art. 330/332: Allows reservation of seats for SC/ST in
the parliament as well as in state legislatures.
Art. 335: Allows relaxation in qualifying marks for
admission in educational institutes or promotions for
SCs/STs.
101
In the case of State of MP vs Nivedita Jain, SC held
that complete relaxation of qualifying marks for
SCs/STs in Pre-Medical Examinations for admission to
medical colleges is valid.
Art. 338/338A/339: Establishes a National
Commission of SCs and STs. Art. 339 allow the central
govt. to direct states to implement and execute plans
for the betterment of SC/STs.
Art. 340: Allows the president to appoint a commission
to investigate the condition of socially and
economically backward classes and table the report in
the parliament.
Legislative framework: The Constitution provides a three-pronged strategy to
improve the situation of SCs and STs:10
Protective arrangements: Such measures as are
required to enforce equality, to provide punitive
measures for transgressions, to eliminate established
practices that perpetuate inequities, etc. A number of
laws were enacted to implement the provisions in the
Constitution. Examples of such laws include The
Untouchability Practices Act, 1955, Scheduled Caste
and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,
1989, The Employment of Manual Scavengers and
102
Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993,
etc.
Affirmative action: Provide positive or preferential
treatment in allotment of jobs and access to higher
education as a means to accelerate the integration of
the SCs and STs with mainstream society. Affirmative
action is popularly known as reservation.
Development: Provide resources and benefits to bridge
the socioeconomic gap between the SCs and STs and
other communities
Reservations - Constitutional Safeguards
The main objective for providing reservations for
Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes in civil posts and
services of the Government is not just to give jobs to some
persons belonging to these communities and thereby
increase their representation in the services, but to uplift
these people socially and educationally and make some
place for them in the society. This was the more important
objective of reservations which included reservation in
Legislatures also. With the same end in view, the
Constitution envisaged in the Directive Principles of State
Policy and elsewhere, economic development of the weaker
sections, particularly the SC and ST.
103
Against this Constitutional background, the Central
Government has provided for reservation for members of the
Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes. Article 16 (4) of the
Constitution permits reservation in favour of backward
classes of citizens and does not mention anything about
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes specifically. The
matter of reservation of SC/ST, to which there is a reference
in Article 335, has to be considered with reference to Article
16 (4), which should be read with Article 16 (1) and 16 (2).
Article 16 (2) prohibits discrimination against any citizen in
respect of any employment or office under the State on
grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of
birth, residence or any of them. Article 16 is placed under
the heading ‘Right to Equality’ of which Article 14 is the
general Article covering the concepts of ‘equality before the
law’ and ‘equal protection of the laws’.11 The Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was constituted in 1999
with the objective of providing more focused attention on the
integrated socio-economic development of the most under-
privileged sections of the Indian society namely, the
Scheduled Tribes (STs), in a coordinated and planned
manner. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal Ministry
for the overall policy, planning and coordination of
programmes for development of STs. To this end, the
Ministry of Tribal Affairs undertakes activities that flow from
104
the subjects allocated under the Government of India Rules,
1961. These include:12
1. Social security and social insurance to the Scheduled
Tribes.
2. Tribal Welfare: Tribal welfare planning, project
formulation, research, evaluation, statistics and
training.
3. Promotion and development of voluntary efforts on
tribal welfare
4. Scheduled Tribes, including scholarship to students
belonging to such tribes
5. Development of Scheduled Tribes 5(a) All matters
including legislation relating to the rights of forest
dwelling Scheduled Tribes on forest lands
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs shall be the nodal
Ministry for overall policy, planning and coordination of
programmes of development for the Scheduled Tribes. In
regard to sectoral programmes and schemes development of
these communities policy planning, monitoring, evaluation
etc. as also their coordination will be responsibility of the
concerned Central Ministries/Departments, State
Governments and Union Territory Administrations. Each
Central Ministry/ Department will be the nodal Ministry or
.Department concerning its sector Scheduled Areas.13
It needs to be emphasized that the programmes and
schemes of the Ministry are intended to support and
105
supplement, through financial assistance, the efforts of
other Central Ministries, the State Government and
voluntary organizations, and to fill critical gaps taking into
account the situation of STs. The primary responsibility for
promoting the interests of Scheduled Tribes thus rests with
all the Central Ministries. The Ministry compliments their
efforts by way of various developmental interventions in
critical sectors through specially tailored schemes. These,
comprising schemes for economic, educational and social
development, are administered by the Ministry of Tribal
Affairs and implemented through the State
Governments/Union Territory Administrations and
voluntary organizations.
Department of Welfare of SC /ST and Minority:
The Department is fully committed to the highest
standard of excellence and transparency in providing the
benefits to the people belonging to
SC's/ST’s/OBC’s/Minorities. Numbers of schemes are being
implemented by Govt. of NCT of Delhi for socio-economic
development of residents of Delhi belonging to SC's /ST’s /
OBC’s / Minorities. Name of the schemes implemented
amount of financial assistance given under the schemes and
conditions lay down therein which are to be completed by
the applicant, name and telephone number of the officers of
the department dealing with the various schemes is given in
the last. Format of the application form is published in the
newspapers along with advertisement of the schemes.14
106
Scheduled Castes/Tribes Welfare Schemes: Ministry’s Schemes:
Central Sector Scheme of 'Rajiv Gandhi National
Fellowship' for Providing Scholarships to Scheduled
Caste Students to pursue Programmes in Higher
Education such as M. Phil and Ph. D.
Interviews for final Selection of awardees under the
Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for SC etc.
Candidates for the Selection Year 2009-10.
Centrally-sponsored Pilot Scheme of Pradhan Mantri
Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)
State, District and Block wise abstract of villages
selected under PMAGY.
Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana.
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students.
Pre-Matric Scholarships for the Children of those
Engaged in Unclean Occupations.
Central Sector Scholarship Scheme of Top Class
Education for SC Students.
Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual
Scavengers.
National Overseas Scholarships for Scheduled Castes
(SC) etc. Candidates for Selection Year 2010-2011.
Form for the Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship
for SC etc. Candidates for the Selection Year 2010-11.
107
Special Educational Development Programme for
Scheduled Castes Girls belonging to low Literacy
Levels.
Up-gradation of Merit of SC Students.
Scheme of free Coaching for SC and OBC Students.
National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development
Corporation (NSFDC).
National Safaikaramcharis Finance & Development
Corporation (NSKFDC).
Assistance to Scheduled Castes Development
Corporations (SCDCs) Supporting Project of All India
Nature of SCs.
National Commission for Safai Karamcharis. The major schemes/programme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
The major schemes/programme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs are-
Special Central Assistance & Grants Under Article
275(1) Of The Constitution.
Scheme of Development of Primitive Tribal Groups.
Tribal Research Institutes.
Girls / Boys Hostels for Sts.
Ashram Schools in Tribal Sub-Plan Areas.
Vocational Training Centers in Tribal Areas.
Grants-in-aid to State Tribal Development Cooperative
Corporations and others.
Village Grain Bank Scheme.
108
Social Welfare Department (Backward Class Wing) of Maharashtra:
The new Social Welfare Department was constituted
from 1956. It was formerly on a Directorate level. The
Backward Class Welfare work done previously by the
Backward Class Department is now done by the Backward
Class Wing of the Social Welfare Department. The other
Wing of the Social Welfare Department is the Correctional
Wing. The designation of the Director of Backward Class
Welfare is now changed to Director of Social Welfare who is
the head of the Social Welfare Department of the
Maharashtra State. He is assisted by a Joint Director of
Social Welfare—an I. A. S. Officer of senior grade—who
looks after the Backward Class Welfare work. The post of
the Chief Inspector of Certified Schools and Institutions is
re-designated as Deputy Director of Social Welfare
(Correctional Wing) and this officer assists the Director of
Social Welfare in matters relating to the Correctional Wing.
A third post of Deputy Director has also been created under
the Social Welfare Department to look after the work other
than that of Backward Class Welfare and Correctional Wing.
These two posts are Class I posts. The Backward Class
Wing of the Social Welfare Department aims at ameliorating
the conditions of Backward Classes so that they reach the
standards of other privileged sections of the society as
quickly as possible.15
109
There are no divisional offices at present. However,
there are Regional Officers. The final set-up of the
department after the re-organization of States is still (July,
1959) under consideration of Government. At the district
level, the department has district officers now termed as
Social Welfare Officers who are of the status of second grade
mamlatdars. They execute the schemes implemented by the
Social Welfare Department and co-ordinate the work of
Backward Class Welfare in the district in respect of
Backward Class Welfare schemes implemented by the
various departments of the State. The Backward Class
Department is now re-designated as the Social Welfare
Department. Measures for Uplift by Social Welfare Department of Maharashtra:
Reservation of posts in State Service: The
maximum age limits prescribed for appointment to
Class III and IV services and posts under the
relevant recruitment rules are relatable by five years
in favour of backward class candidates.
Economic Rehabilitation: Economic rehabilitation
is mainly effected by-
a. Grant of cultivable waste lands and other facilities
for rehabilitating backward classes in agriculture,
110
b. Establishing training centers for imparting
training in hereditary crafts and providing
financial help for their rehabilitation in various
cottage industries,
c. Imbibing the co-operative spirit in their day-to-
day life by giving them all facilities provided by the
State under co-operative activity with special
additional concessions and safeguards for
Backward Classes.
d. Introducing special measures for housing of
backward classes,
e. Reserving certain percentage of vacancies for
backward classes in services under State
Government and local bodies and under semi-
Government organizations.
Social Welfare: The activity under this head is
designed to remove the stigma of untouchahility in
respect of Scheduled Castes, assimilation of
Scheduled Tribes in the general population without
destroying then hereditary traits and rehabilitation
of ex-criminal tribes and nomadic and semi-nomadic
tribes from among the category of other Backward
Classes. Legislation as well as propaganda through
111
voluntary agencies are used as the means to achieve
this object.
Social Uplift: Measures have been taken to ensure
the social uplift of the Backward Classes, especially
Harijans. The Bombay Harijan (Removal of Social
Disabilities) Act (X of 1946) and the Bombay Harijan
Temple Entry Act (XXXV of 1947) as amended in
1948 have been enacted with a view to bringing
about the complete removal of untouchability as far
as public and civic rights are concerned. The
Bombay Devadasis Protection Act (X of 1934) has
declared unlawful the performance of any ceremony
having the effect of dedicating girls as devadasis.
The devadasis were usually members of the
Backward Classes.
The Backward Class Department has to see that the
policy of Government is fully implemented in day-to-day
administration. Mention may be made here of the
Untouchability Offences Act, 1955 passed by the
Government of India to stop the practice of observance of
untouchability. With the liberal assistance of the Central
Government under Article 275 (i) of the Constitution of
India, amounting to 50% of the expenditure by State
Government, various measures are undertaken by the
State Government for the uplift of Scheduled Castes,
Scheduled Tribes, Vimukta Jatis and other Backward
112
Classes under the Second Five-Year Plan. These measures
are framed after taking into consideration the needs of
these sections of Backward Classes and, with a view to
achieving their economic uplift, Settlement and removal of
their social disabilities. The Second Five-Year Plan
provides for a programme of Backward Class Welfare for
which a total outlay of Rs. 4.50 crores has been made.
Besides this, Government of India has also sponsored on
cent pet-cent basis a special programme amounting to Rs.
3.27 crores for the welfare of Backward Classes in the
then Bombay State which includes the opening of seven
multipurpose projects in Scheduled Areas of the State,
along with other measures for the welfare of Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Vimukta Jatis.16
In the implementation of these Backward Class
Welfare measures, advice and co-operation are also
sought from the eminent social workers and voluntary
organisations through the State Board for Harijan
Welfare, the State Tribes Advisory Council and the
District Backward Class Sub-Committees of the District
Development Board in each district. The following
institutions have been established in the district for the
welfare of Backward Classes:—
113
Reservation Policy: In the ancient period of India, the backward castes had
been denied all kinds of social and economic endowments.
Hence, they had been lagging behind in the process of
development. The social and economic deprivation among
Scheduled Castes had been most common during pre and
post-Independence. Therefore, there was a need of number
of special safeguard policies. One of that is, ‘Reservation
Policy’ in the Government Recruitment. The objective of the
reservation policy is to eradicate the social and economic
disparities which existed in the society.17
Article 15 (4) and 16 (4) of the Indian constitution has
made provision of reservation for backward classes in
educational institutions and public employment. The
reservation policy has to be followed by both, Central and
State government. “When the first Backward Classes
Commission was constituted on 29th January, 1953 under
the chairmanship of Kakasaheb Kalelkar, he wanted
economic backwardness to be the criterion and not caste in
deciding backwardness. But he had to field to the majority
of the members who wanted caste to be the criterion, to
decide the backwardness”. Finally, the government accepted
the reservation policy. The social and economic up-liftment
of SCs/STs could be made through the reservation policy.
Protective discrimination policy like ‘reservation policy’ must
be adopted. The Government of India has been following
114
this policy in the recruitment. The reservation policy is
being followed in recruitment.18
The reservation policy for Scheduled Castes is most
important, since it is linked with their social and economic
identity. Reservation is the right of the SC and STs,
however, there have been high rate of disparity in the
implementation of reservation policy in India. But in the
present context, the Scheduled Castes have achieved a
satisfactory level of education all over India. The disparity in
the implementation of reservation policy for SCs has
resulted into serious economic consequences, which are
closely connected to their life. Even after fifty-nine years of
Independence, the reservation status of SCs in all
Government branches has been unsatisfactory. The
reservation policy has been underutilized. An Inspite of
Constitutional provision, the reservation policy has been
neglected. This must be taken as violation of Constitution.
There must be significant representation of SCs in the
decision-making posts, which could help further, for the
development of SCs, as a whole. Similar kind of trend could
be found among Scheduled Tribes (STs).19 The policy of
reservation should be viewed as a part of the total policy for
the development. Efforts should be made to observe that it
is being implemented sincerely and honestly. However it
would be well to remind us that the reservation would not
be enough for the development.
115
Scheduled Caste Welfare Organizations: Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation:
A national Foundation viz. ‘Babu Jagjivan Ram
National Foundation’ has been established in the memory of
Babu Jagjivan Ram and to propagate his ideology,
philosophy of his life and mission and services rendered for
the sake of the underprivileged. and the country. The
Foundation shall function as an autonomous body under
the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. It is
registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act,
1860 with a onetime corpus grant of Rs. 50 crore. It will be
located in Delhi. The main objectives of the Foundation are
as follows:20
To propagate the ideology and philosophy of life and
mission of Babu Jagjivan Ram;
To collect, acquire, maintain and preserve the personal
papers and other historical material pertaining to
Babu Jagjivan Ram;
To encourage and promote study and research on his
life and work;
To publish, sell and distribute books, papers,
pamphlets and information in pursuance of the
objectives the Foundation;
To acquire, preserve and protect places connected with
him and raise memorials;
116
To propagate his ideals and memory through print and
electronic media by promoting artists belonging to dalit
community who are not getting ample opportunity to
come up;
To encourage and promote dalit artists through
specially designed development schemes for their
social, cultural, educational and economic
development;
To implement special schemes for removal of
untouchability and caste-based prejudices in the
society;
To undertake and implement various schemes and
programmes assigned from time to time by the Central
and State Government;
To organize birth and death anniversaries and other
commemorative events of the life of Babu Jagjivan
Ram;
To undertake all such activities as are not specially
mentioned in the aims and objectives listed above, but
which promote these objectives.
The entire expenditure would be borne from the XI
Plan outlay of this Ministry. This is a plan scheme under the
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, which involves a
projected expenditure of Rs.54 crore in the 11th Five-Year-
Period. The proposed provisions include both recurring and
non-recurring expenses. An amount of Rs. 50 crore is
proposed by way of one time grant to create a Corpus Fund.
117
However, a grant of Rs. 4 crore would also be provided to
kick-start the activities and to meet the initial establishment
costs. Dr. Ambedkar Foundation:
The Centenary Celebration Committee of Baba Saheb
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar headed by the then Prime Minister of
India decided to set up Dr. Ambedkar Foundation to carry
out the programmes and activities for furthering of Dr
Ambedkar's ideology and spread his message of social
justice to the masses not only in the country but also
abroad. Dr. Ambedkar Foundation was established by the
Government of India under the aegis of the Ministry of
Welfare (now Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment)
on March 24, 1992 as a registered society under the
Societies Registration Act, 1860. The Foundation has been
entrusted with the responsibility of managing administering
and carrying on the important and long-term schemes and
programmes identified during the Centenary Celebrations of
Bharat Ratna Dr B.R. Ambedkar. The main objectives of the
Foundation inter alia include implementation of
programmes and activities for furthering the ideology and
message of Baba Saheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar among the
masses in India as well as abroad. The Foundation has been
entrusted with the responsibility of managing, administering
and carrying on the important and long term schemes and
programmes identified during the Centenary Celebrations of
Bharat Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. The activities and
118
programmes currently pursued by the Foundation are as
below:21
Setting up of Dr. Ambedkar National Public Library at
Janpath.
Dr. Ambedkar National Award for Social
Understanding and Upliftment of Weaker Sections.
Dr. Ambedkar International Award for Social Change.
Dr. Ambedkar Chairs in Universities/Institutions for
carrying out research on the thoughts and ideals of
Baba Saheb.
Publication of the Collected Works of Baba Saheb Dr.
B. R. Ambedkar into Hindi and other regional
languages
Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Award Schemes for
meritorious students of Secondary Examination
belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes
Organization of seminars, symposia, conferences,
workshops, lectures, exhibitions and fairs on the life
and mission of Dr. Ambedkar
Celebration of Birth Anniversary and Mahaparinirwan
Diwas of Dr. Ambedkar on 14th April and 6th
December respectively every year.
Publication of Samajik Nyay Sandesh, a monthly
Magazine in Hindi
Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme
Dr. Ambedkar Samajik Samta Kendra Yojna
Celebration of Birth Anniversaries of Great Saints
119
Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Award Schemes for
meritorious students of Senior Secondary Examination
belonging to Scheduled Castes.
Dr. Ambedkar National Relief to SC victims of
Atrocities.
National Commission For Scheduled Castes:
For providing safeguards for Scheduled Castes special
provisions were made to promote the social, educational,
economic and service interest of this section of the society.
In order to ensure that the safeguards are properly
implemented the Constitution on its inception, provided for
appointment of a special office under Article 338 of the
Constitution to investigate all matters relating to the
safeguards provided for Scheduled Castes & Scheduled
Tribes and report to the President about the working of
these safeguards. In pursuance of this provision a Special
Officer known as the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes &
Scheduled Tribes was appointed for the first time on 18th
November, 1950.22
By 1965 the Commissioner of Scheduled Castes &
Scheduled Tribes has 17 regional offices located in various
States, headed by Assistant Commissioners for Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes who were in July 1965, re-
designated as Deputy Commissioners. This field
organization of the Commissioner was recognized into 5
Zonal offices in June 1967 and placed under the control of
120
the newly created Directorate General of Backward Classes
Welfare in the department of Social Welfare. Each Zonal
office was headed by a Zonal Director. Backward Classes
welfare & the erstwhile regional Deputy Commissioner for
SC & ST were re-designated as Deputy Directors. Backward
Classes welfare and placed under the control of Zonal
Directors located at Chandigarh (Northern Zone), Bhopal
(Central Zone), Patna (Eastern Zone), Baroda (Western Zone)
and Madras (Southern Zone). The Eastern Zone office has
two branches at Bhubaneswar and Shillong and later a
branch office of the Central Zone was set up at Lucknow.
Each of these branches was headed by a Deputy Director.
The Western Zone office was shifted to Ahmedabad in 1969.
It was felt that the office of the Commissioner for
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was not enough to
monitor the safeguards provided to SCs & STs. Hence, due
to voice raised by Members of Parliament, a proposal was
mooted for amendment of Article 338 of the Constitution
(46th Amendment) by replacing the single member Special
Officer by multi-member system. The first Commission for
SC & ST came into being on August, 1978. With effect from
1-12-78 the field offices were transferred to the newly set up
Commission for SCs & STs and the Zonal Directors, BCW
and the Deputy Directors, BCW were re-christened as
Directors for SCs & STs and Deputy Directors for SCs & STs
respectively. Later on the Zonal set up was abolished and
the Commission once again had 17 field offices. Since the
121
field Directors were also working for the Commissioner for
SCs & STs, they were re-designated as Director for SCs &
STs and Ex-officio Deputy Commissioner for SCs & STs.
The setup of the Commission of 1978 underwent
change in 1987 and it was named as National Commission
for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This
Commission being a National Level Advisory body played the
role of adviser on major policy and developmental issues
relating to SCs/STs. This Commission for SCs & STs had
submitted 8 reports during its tenure.
The National Commission for SCs & STs came into
being consequent upon the 65th Amendment Bill, 1990
notified on 8.6.1990, and rules there under were notified on
3.11.1990. In the 89th Amendment of the Constitution it
was decided to have a separate National Commission for
Scheduled Castes & separate National Commission for
Scheduled Tribes. This came into effect on 19.02.2004. The
erstwhile National Commission for SCs & STs was
bifurcated into two different Commissions with actual
bifurcation date being 1.12.2004. After bifurcation there are
at present 12 State Offices under the jurisdiction of NCSC.
These are located at Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bangalore,
Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata,
Lucknow, Patna, Pune & Thiruvananthapuram.23
122
Functions and Duties of the Commission:24 The functions, duties and power of the Commission
have been laid down in clauses (5), (8) and (9) of the Article
338 of the Constitution. It shall be the duty of the
Commission:
1. To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the
safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes under this
Constitution or under any other law for the time being in
force or under any order of the Government and to
evaluate the working of such safeguards;
2. To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the
deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled
Castes;
3. To participate and advise on the planning process of socio-
economic development of the Scheduled Castes and to
evaluate the progress of their development under the
Union and any State;
4. To present to the President, annually and at such other
times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the
working of those safeguards;
5. To make in such reports recommendations as to the
measures that should be taken by the Union or any State
for the effective implementation of those safeguards and
other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-
economic development of the Scheduled Castes; and
6. To discharge such other functions in relation to the
protection, welfare and development and advancement of
the Scheduled Castes as the President may, subject to the
123
provisions of any law made by Parliament, by the rule
specify.
National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC):
NSFDC was setup by the Govt. of India in 1989 with
the name National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes
Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC). It was
incorporated as a fully owned Government Company under
Section 25 (A company not for profit) of the Companies Act,
1956. It has been assigned the task for financing,
facilitating and mobilizing funds for the economic
empowerment of persons living below Double of the Poverty
Line (DPL). It provides financial assistance for income
generating schemes for the target group through state
Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) which are nominated by
respective State/UT Government.
This is managed by a Board of Directors with
representation from Central Government, State Scheduled
Castes Development Corporations, Financial Institutions
and non-official members representing Scheduled Castes.
NSFDC is the apex institution for financing, facilitating and
mobilizing funds from other sources and promoting the
economic development activities of the persons belonging to
the Scheduled Castes living below double the poverty line.
124
The National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) continued
to function as a catalytic agent for financing, facilitating and
mobilizing funds from various sources for promoting
economic development activities amongst SCs living below
double the poverty line. Financial assistance, at a
concessional rate of interest, is extended to the target
groups for taking up viable economic activities through the
34 State Channelizing Agencies, which include Scheduled
Caste Development Corporations (SCDCs) and other
recognized financial institutions. Skill and entrepreneurial
training is also imparted to unemployed SC youths through
reputed training institutions. A micro-credit scheme has
also been taken up since 2000-01 for funding Self-Help
Groups (SHGs) by which small loans are provided to the
target groups through NGOs. During the Ninth Plan (2001-
02), NSFDC was bifurcated into 2 separate Corporations -
one for SCs and the other for STs Viz. National Scheduled
Castes Finance and Development Corporation for SCs and
National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development
Corporation for STs. 25
125
Table No. 3.01: Major schemes operated by NSFDC through its SCAs:
Sr. Scheme & Amount of Loan Interest
chargeable from SCA
Interest chargeable
from beneficiaries
1. Term loan up to Rs.5.00 lakh 3% 6%
2. Term loan above Rs. 5.00 lakh
& up to Rs.10.00 lakh
5% 8%
3. Term loan above Rs.10.00
lakh and up to Rs.20.00 lakh
6% 9%
4. Term loan above Rs.20.00
lakh & up to Rs.30.00 lakh
7% 10%
5. Micro Credit Finance up to
Rs.30,000/-
2% 5%
6. Mahila Samridhi Yojana upto
Rs. 30,000/-
1% 4%
7. Mahila Kissan Yojan upto
Rs.50,000/-
2% 5%
8. Shilpi Samriddhi Yojana upto
Rs.50,000/-
2% 5%
9. Education Loan Scheme up to
Rs.10.00 lakh (India) &
Rs.20.00 lakh (Abroad)
1.5% 4%
10. Skill Training 100% grants with stipend Rs. 1000/-
per month Source: http://socialjustice.nic.in
126
Table No. 3.02: The performance of NSFDC during the last 5 years is as follows:
Year Equity share
released (Rs. in crore)
Disbursement (Rs. in crore)
No. of beneficiaries
covered (Nos.)
2007-08 43.00 143.17 44,366
2008-09 45.00 145.33 37,568
2009-10 45.00 151.19 58,983
2010-11 75.00 180.09 47,728
2011-12 85.00 182.77 43,772
During the year 2012-13, an amount of Rs. 50.00
crores has been released as equity support. NSFDC has
disbursed an amount of Rs. 2302.91 crore (cumulative) till
31.03.2012 cover 8.05 lakh beneficiaries.
SC/ST Surveys:
The Government of India is under constitutional
obligation to protect the interests of the Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes communities and to uplift them
socially and economically. In order to do so, the working
group on Labour Statistics in its interim report in the year
1964 recommended, inter-alia, collection of data on certain
aspects of working and living conditions of Labour belonging
127
to Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes communities to
assess the ways and means to be adopted for their welfare
and improving their working & living conditions. Planning
Commission and National Commission on Labour (1966-69)
while commenting upon the inadequacy of available
information in this regard also emphasized the importance
and need for such data base.26
In pursuance of the above recommendations and in
consultations with the Planning Commission and the
Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India decided, in-
principle, to conduct such studies and entrusted this work
to Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour and
Employment. In order to associate all prospective users of
the data, the Ministry of Labour & Employment constituted
an Inter-Departmental Direction Committee 1973,
consisting of the representatives of Central Statistical
Organization, Planning Commission, Registrar General of
India, Indian Council of Social Science Research, and the
Director General, Labour Bureau being the Chairman of this
committee to guide, examine and approve all technical
details of the two studies i.e. Study on Scheduled Castes
Labour and Study on Scheduled Tribes Labour
Impact of Government Programmes: It is observed that the Government programmes -
especially those pertaining to SC and ST welfare are never
taken seriously, and there is no effective monitoring system
128
to pinpoint the failures of the plan objectives. There are
diversion of resources and lack of utility of the schemes.
Therefore, the condition of these communities is still
remained very miserable. Therefore, remedial measures and
effective course corrections should have to be implemented.
Most of the SC and ST communities are still striving to fulfill
their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. Besides
these, today they require better opportunities to live in
dignity and self-respect. Hence, ample opportunities should
be made available to them, which would ensure them a
secured and dignified life in this 21st century.27 Though
Government has initiated several schemes for uplifting the
status of this community, most people had low knowledge
about these rights and provisions. Therefore, there is a need
to create awareness among the community about
Government’s welfare schemes so that they can better avail
them. Plan Initiatives in Development of SC & ST:28
The developmental planning launched in 1951 through
the First Plan (1951-56) envisaged that the
programmes under various sectors of development
would benefit all sections of the population including
SCs &STs. But, unfortunately, it never happened so.
Therefore, special programmes under the Backward
Classes Sector were formulated, keeping in view the
special requirements of SCs.
129
The Second Plan (1956-61) promised to ensure that
the benefits of economic development accrue more and
more to the relatively less privileged classes of society
in order to reduce inequalities.
The Third Plan (1961-66) advocated greater ‘equality
of opportunity’ and a reduction in disparities in income
and wealth and the even distribution of economic
power.
The Fourth and Fifth Plans (1969-78) envisaged the
‘basic goal as rapid increase in the standard of living of
the people through measures which also promote
equality and social justice’.
One of the important features of the subsequent
Annual Plan (1979-80) was the launching of the
special mechanism of Special Component Plan (SCP)
for SCs to ensure that these groups receive their due
share of funds/benefits from the other developmental
sectors.
The Sixth Plan (1980-85) marked a shift in the
approach to the development of SCs. Special emphasis
was laid on the implementation of the newly launched
SCP for SCs facilitating easy convergence and pooling
of resources from all the other developmental sectors
in proportion to the population of SCs and monitoring
130
of various developmental programmes for the benefit of
SCs.
In the Seventh Plan (1985-90), SCP for SCs was
strengthened, while the other schemes for the welfare
and development of SCs continued. There was a
substantial increase in the flow of funds for the
development of SCs under SCP from State Plans,
Central Plans, Special Central Assistance (SCA) and
Institutional Finance resulting in the expansion of
infrastructural facilities and enlargement of their
coverage. Priority in the Seventh Plan was given to the
educational development of SCs. Another important
achievement of this Plan was the setting up of a
National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) in
1989 to extend loans-cum-subsidies and thus
encourage these Groups to become gainfully engaged
in various income-generation activities.
The major objective of the Eighth Plan (1992-97) was
to intensify the efforts and to bridge the gap between
the development of SCs, OBCs and Minorities and
other sections of the society, so that by the turn of the
century these disadvantaged sections of the population
could be brought on par with the rest of the society. It
was envisaged that all forms of oppression of SCs,
suppression of their rights, untouchability, non-
131
payment of minimum wages etc., would be eliminated,
so as to enable them to avail of the benefits of all
developmental efforts. Although the efforts have paid
dividends with regard to improvement of socio-
economic status of these groups, the benefits were,
however, not evenly distributed among all
communities. As such, a lot remains to be done to
achieve the goal of bringing these groups on par with
the rest of the society. For the economic development
of SCs & STs, the three National level Apex bodies were
set up to act as catalytic agents in developing schemes
for employment generation and financing pilot projects
viz. The National Backward Classes Finance and
Development Corporation (1992); The National
Minorities Development and Finance Corporation and
National Safai Karamchari Finance and Development
Corporation.
The Ninth Plan (1997-2002) was committed to
empower the Socially Disadvantaged Groups as agents
of socio-economic change and development through -
creating an enabling environment conducive for SCs &
STs to exercise their rights freely, enjoy their privileges
and be able to lead a life with confidence and dignity
on par with the rest of the society; ensuring removal of
disparities; eliminating exploitation and suppression
and providing protection to the disadvantaged groups;
ensuring developmental benefits to ‘reach the un-
132
reached’ through equitable distribution and social
justice; ensuring participation of these Groups in the
process of planning not merely as beneficiaries but
also as participants in planning programmes and their
implementation; accelerating the on-going process of
improving socio-economic status through the effective
implementation of various policies and programmes to
bring them on par with the rest of the society; and
ensuring a certain percentage of funds/benefits from
all the relevant programmes to flow to women
belonging to these groups who are the most affected.
As most of the Ministries/Departments implement
programmes common for both SCs and Scheduled
Tribes (STs), including earmarking of a percentage of
funds/ benefits under SCP for SCs and Tribal Sub-
Plan (TSP) for STs. The approach adopted towards
empowering these Groups in the Ninth Plan was
holistic in nature, to accomplish their all round
development through (i) Social Empowerment; (ii)
Economic Empowerment; and (iii) Social Justice with
an inter-sectoral focus and inputs from both
governmental and non-governmental agencies. The
same is sought to be achieved through the efforts put
in by various welfare-related Ministries/ Departments
and the nodal Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment which is responsible for the
development of SCs, OBCs and Minorities.
133
Special provisions: After independence, the Government of India has taken
number of steps to strengthen the educational base of the
persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes. Pursuant to the National Policy on Education-1986
and the Programme of Action (POA)-1992, the following
special provisions for SCs and STs have been incorporated
in the existing schemes of the Departments of Elementary
Education and Literacy and Secondary and Higher
Education:29 a. relaxed norms for opening of primary/middle schools; a
primary school within one km walking distance from
habitations of population up to 200 instead of
habitations of up to 300 population.
b. Abolition of tuition fee in all States in Government
Schools at least up to the upper primary level. In fact,
most of the states have abolished tuition fees for SC/ST
students up to the senior secondary level.
c. Incentives like free textbooks, uniforms, stationery,
schools bags, etc., for these students.
d. The Constitutional (86th Amendment) Bill, notified on
13 December 2002, provides for free and compulsory
elementary education as a Fundamental Right, for all
children in the age group of 6-14 years.
134
e. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) : SSA is a historic stride
towards achieving the long cherished goal of
Universalisation of Elementary Education (UEE)
through a time bound integrated approach, in
partnership with States. SSA, which promises to change
the face of elementary education sector of the country,
aims to provide useful and quality elementary education
to all children in the 6-14 age group by 2010.
The main features of the programme are - Focus on
girls, especially belonging to SC/ST communities and
minority groups, Back to school campus for out of school
girls, Free textbooks for girls, Special coaching remedial
classes for girls and a congenial learning environment,
Teachers’ sensitisation programmes to promote equitable
learning opportunities, Special focus for innovative projects
related to girls education, Recruitment of 50 per cent female
teachers.
Special Training and Rehabilitation Programmes for SCs & STs:
In the field of Labour and Employment, the Ministry of
Labour is implementing special training and rehabilitation
programmes for SCs and STs to equip them with necessary
training in up-gradation of skills and thus improve their
employment opportunities. The scheme of ‘Coaching–cum-
Guidance Centre for SCs / was implemented through 22
centers in various States/UTs to provide occupational
135
information as well as individual guidance and to conduct
confidence-building programmes for the benefit of the
SC/ST job seekers. To facilitate the recruitment of SC/ST
candidates against reserved vacancies in various Central
Government Ministries/ Departments, the Directorate-
General of Employment and Training (DGET) has launched
another scheme, viz. `Special Coaching Scheme’ for SC/ST
job-seekers registered with the employment exchanges to
enable them to appear in Competitive
Examinations/Selection Tests conducted for recruitment in
Group C and equivalent posts.30 Importance of Awareness among SC / ST Community:
After Independent, in framing of Indian constitution
through initiatives of Dr. Bimrao Ambedkar gave special
provision for SC/ST communities and the Presidential Order
of SC/ST was listed in 1950. Many of the young SC/ST
generations, when they enjoy the presidential reservation
facilities for underprivileged section of Indian societies, do
not realize how and whose struggles, these privileges are
provided. The presidential reservation facilities preserved in
Indian Constitution is most precious gift given to Indian
oppressed class community. This most precious gift to
protect and preserve the underprivileged communities of
India has been under attack again and again by high caste
minority ruler of the country. This bring awareness among
the SC/ST communities, particularly to those who have
benefited SC/ST status facility yet failed to realize the
136
importance of joint effort to safe guard of the constitutional
right of the provision for Dalit communities.
Many SC/ST communities take the SC/ST Status
beneficiaries for granted that it naturally came itself to be
included in Indian Constitution. It is included in Indian
Constitution not without somebody struggling for that. Dr.
Bim Rao Ambedkar was one of many who struggle for
SC/ST communities in India and many others after him.
Special provision of employment in Central and state
sectors, educational provisions by seat reservation and
monetary helps, SC/ST land protections, Atrocity
prevention Acts and remedies to the victimized SC/ST
communities such as legal punishments, compensations
etc. are protected to these community well. SC/ST status
beneficiaries must be guarded even after mushrooming of
private sector. It is high call from SC communities to ST
communities to stand united especially constitutional denial
of SC status facilities when they are converted to other
faiths and religions.31
Awareness creation, income generation, education and
health facilities programs were implemented to address the
problems of the backward communities. However, the gap
between so-called higher and lower castes has not
narrowed. There have hardly been any changes in the
society or in the living standard of the poor. Consequently,
the people of backward and tribal communities have felt
137
discriminated against and could not believe that the
government was doing anything for their welfare and
development. The main reasons for this are – lack of
integrated programs, weak implementation and
sustainability, failure mainstream backward and tribal
communities and repressed people into the national
development process, centre-oriented / based programs
rather than community based / participatory programs,
little attention to human resource development and lack of
encouragement to the development and modernization of
traditional occupations and skills, lack of effective
institutional mechanisms, etc.32 Strategies for Development of SC & ST:
The State Government, in its pursuit to bring about
socio-economic development of the SC & ST communities,
have launched special programmes, which include legal aid,
rehabilitation of victims, housing facilities, establishment of
special employment exchanges, reservation in employment,
establishment of residential schools and hostels etc. Some
of the strategies, already adopted/ proposed by the State
Government in this direction are as under:33
Education, being the most effective and critical
instrument of empowering the groups, has been given
priority.
Efforts are being made to achieve universalisation in
access and retention at the level of elementary
education for the members of the SC &ST.
138
Steps are being taken to provide hostel facilities,
scholarships and other facilities to achieve substantial
increase in enrolment and retention.
Special attention is also being paid to the
implementation of employment and income generating
programmes.
Prevention of exploitation of tribal in respect of
alienation of land, money lending, debt bondage, trade,
collection and sale of minor forest produce etc. has
also received due attention of Government.
A watchdog role has been given to Gram Panchayats
under the amended money lending regulation to enable
the community to protect the individual from
exploitation by money-lenders.
In all individual benefit oriented programmes like
SGSY, adequate training to beneficiaries is ensured
through close monitoring.
In all income-generating activities, community/cluster
approach is adopted to cover beneficiaries in group
mode rather than single beneficiary to harness strong
community feeling inherent in tribal society.
Panchayati Raj Institutions are the primary vehicles for
implementing development programmes for the SC &
STs to ensure them social justice.
Women Self Help Groups are vigorously promoted for
ensuring both social justice and empowerment.
139
Wherever necessary, missing infrastructure support for
sustainable economic activities undertaken by Tribal
beneficiaries has been provided through SGRY.
Connectivity is being given high priority in respect of
remote Tribal areas by development of rural roads and
by construction of minor bridges.
Particular attention is being given for the development
of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, so that their
mainstreaming is ensured.
References: 1. http://planningcommission.nic.in
2. Banerjee, Biswajit and J. B. Knight, “Caste
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