Fact Sheet

   India is a welfare state, committed to the development of its people in general and of vulnerable sections in particular. The Preamble, the Directive Principles of State Policy, the Fundamental Rights and specific sections, Articles 38, 39 and 46 in the Constitution of India, stand testimony to the commitment of the State to its people. Welfare programmes in the beginning were directed to provide a few basic curative and rehabilitative services. Over the years, a developmental orientation in contrast to curative and custodial approach has been given to welfare programmes. At present these are oriented towards providing social justice and empowerment to the disadvantaged and marginalized sections of the society. viz., scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes, minorities, disabled, aged persons, street children and victims of drug abuse, etc.

    Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal Ministry for the development and welfare of these disadvantaged, marginalized and weaker sections of our society. The Ministry is running several schemes and programmes which are beneficiary oriented and intend to ensure qualitative improvement in people’s lives. These schemes are run largely on a pilot basis to show the way to the local governments and community and promote similar initiatives through them. The Ministry inter alia also plays a proactive role in sensitizing the opinion leaders, the change agents and the public about the plight of these sections, the irrational prejudices that work against them and the need to ameliorate their situation by bringing about attitudinal changes. Such attitudinal changes aim at facilitating appreciation and social support from communities to the persons of these disadvantaged sections, enhanced financial support by the local governments to the welfare programmes and promotion of voluntary action for the specialised facilities and service.

    The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal Ministry that oversees the interests of the Scheduled Castes. Besides implementing several welfare and protective schemes on its own, this Ministry also closely monitors the action taken by other Ministries for protection and promotion of the interests of SCs.

    The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been set up as a Constitutional body for overseeing interests of the SCs/STs. Subsequently, National Commission for Safai Karamacharis was set up for looking into matters relating to Safai Karamcharis. With a view to follow up the high ideals advocated by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Ambedkar Foundation have been set up for pursuing matters relating to interest of SCs and socially and economically backward classes.

    The Central Government as also the State Governments/Union Territories have according to the exigencies of time, evolved and adopted several intervention mechanisms for the welfare of the SCs/STs. These measures have been introduced to secure their social, educational and economic development. To achieve their social integration and development and specifically to protest them from exploitation, the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 were enacted. These are deterrent instruments aiming at prevention of exploitation of the persons belonging to the SCs/STs in any form.

    The concept of having a special Component Plan (SCP) was introduced in 1979 with a view to achieving overall development of SCs/STs and to raise them above the poverty line. Special Component Plan is designed to channelise the flow of outlays and benefits from the general sector in the plans of States/UTs and the Central Ministries. At least in proportion to the population of SCs/STs both in physical and financial terms. It is an umbrella programme under which all schemes implemented by State and Central Governments are dovetailed for addressing different needs of the Scheduled Castes, under the Central scheme introduced in 1979-80, Special Central Assistance (SCA) is to be extended to supplement efforts of States/UTs for ensuring rapid socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes. It is additive to the Special Component Plan (SCP) of States/UTs and is intended to augment the efforts of the States for the economic development of SCs. The underlined objective of the SCA which is a Central grant to the States/UTs is that it should be used to give an added thrust to the development programmes 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 areas critical to the development needs of SCs.

    The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for participating in the share equity of the Scheduled Castes Development Corporations (SCDCs) in the radio of 49:51 was introduced in 1979. At present, SCDCs are functioning in 25 States and UTs which include 9 SCDCs which are common to SCs and STs.

    National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corp[oration (NSFDC) was set up as a company not for profit under the Company Act, 1956 with the obejective of functioning income generating activities for benefiting SCs/STs population living below poverty line (annual income of Rs. 31,952 for rural areas and Rs. 42,412 for urban areas). NSFDC extends financial assistance through the States SC/ST Finance and Development Corporation which are its channelising agencies to assist SCs/STs. Financial assistance is provided for income generating activities such as land purchase and development, irrigation, sericulture, poultry, dairy, small machine shops, footwear making, garment manufacturing, handlooms, handicraft, small hostels, purchase of goods and passenger vehicle etc.

    The National Scheme of Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers and their dependents was launched by the Govt. of India in March, 1992, in pursuance of commitment to eliminate the inhuman practice of manual handling of night soil and filth and to provide alternate employment to the scavengers and their dependents. This was sought to be achieved by the end of 8^th Plan period. Under the scheme, Scavengers and their dependents are imparted training in trade of their aptitude which can provide them alternate placement. The training cost is borne by the Govt. of India and during the course of training the trainee gets stipends upto Rs. 500/- per month besides honorarium to trainers upto Rs. 300/- per month and toolkit allowance upto Rs. 800/- as per the TRYSEM norms. For rehabilitation there is a prescribed financial package for different trades for which financial assistance upto Rs. 50,000 can be provided.

    National Safai Karamchari Finance & Development Corporation was incorporated in January, 1997 under Section 25 of the Company Act as a non-profit company and an apex institution aimed at alround socio-economic upliftment of Safai Karamahcaris and their dependents through out India and to extend concessional financial assistance for establishment of income generating and viable projects, as an alternative mean of employment.

    The Scheme of Pre-Matric Scholarship for Children of those engaged in unclean occupations assists the children of scavengers, sweepers having traditional links with scavenging, flayers and tanners irrespective of their religion to pursue education upto Matriculation level. There is no income ceiling prescribed under the scheme.

    Under the Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for students belonging to SCs/STs financial assistance is extended to students belonging to SCs/STs for pursuing Post-matriculation courses in recognized institutions for maintenance allowance, reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees, thesis, typing/printing charges, study tour charges, book allowance for students pursuing correspondence courses and special provision for each student with disabilities who are covered under the scheme.

    The scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for SCs/STs etc. students for higher studies abroad provides financial assistance to meritorious students for pursuing higher studies abroad in specified fields of Master level courses, Ph.D and Post-Directorate Research Programmes in Engineering Technology and Science only.

    The main objective of the Scheme of Hostel for SC boys and girls is to provide Hostel facility to SC students studying in middle school, higher secondary schools, colleges and universities. Under the scheme financial assistance is provided to the State Government on 50:50 matching share basis (100% to UTs) for the construction of hostel building for upto 100 inmates, construction of boundary walls, two room set for hostel warden and one room set for chowkidar.

The Scheme of Book Bank for SC/ST students is intended to provide SC/ST students access to the latest text books for medical (including Indian system of medicine and Homeopathy), veterinary, engineering, agriculture and poly-technique courses which require expensive books, through the establishment of book banks. The scheme also includes law courses, chartered accountancy, MBA and Bio-Sciences.

    In 1990 after long deliberations on the recommendation of the Mandal

    Commission, it was decided by the Government to implement 27% reservation for other Backward Classes (OBCs) in civil posts and services under the Government of India. A National Commission for Backward Classes was also set up on 14^th August, 1993. The following benefits have also been extended to the Backward Classes :

1. The Government has provided OBC candidates the benefit of relaxed standard in respect of written examination and interviews as in the case of SC/ST candidates w.e.f. 13.10.1994.
2. On 25^th January, 1995 the Government has issued instructions relaxing the upper age limit for OBC candidates in direct recruitment by three years and number of attempts for OBC candidates who are otherwise eligible has been to seven in respect of Civil Services Examination.

    In 1992, National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) was incorporated as a Company with an authorized share capital of Rs. 200 crores which has been enhanced to Rs. 700 crores. The main objective of this Corporation is to promote economic and developmental activities for the benefit of Backward Classes and to assist the poorer sections of these classes in skill development and self-employment ventures. The Corporation provides financial assistance in terms of loan grants to eligible beneficiary in the following sector, agriculture and allied, artisan and traditional occupations, technical trades, small business, small scale industries and transport services.

MINORITIES WELFARE & WAKF

    The 15 Point Programme of the welfare of minorities classifies measures broadly under three categories namely, safety and protection of life and property, representation in jobs under the State and Central Government and socio-economic development. The programme envisages special consideration for minorities in recruitment and fair and adequate share in development programmes. The programme is being implemented by the States/UTs and the concerned Central Ministries/Departments. The Multi-sectoral Development Plan Scheme, an area based approach for socio-economic development of minority concentration districts, is under progress for formulation of viable schemes. The National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation provides concessional finance to eligible beneficiaries belonging to minorities for setting up self-employment ventures. The objective of the Scheme of Pre-examination Coaching for Weaker Sections based on Economic Criteria among minorities is to enable them to compete on equal terms with other candidates in competitive examinations for various jobs/professional courses. The scheme is being implemented through institutions of repute.

    The work "wakf" applies to any property movable or immovable, dedicated for purposes recognized by the Muslim Law as religious, pious or charitable. Apart from their religious aspect, the Wakfs are also instruments of socio-economic upliftment as the benefits from the wakfs flow to the needy persons for their socio-economic, cultural and educational development. Wakfs constitute a national assets as a very large number of them support schools, colleges, technical institutions, libraries, reading rooms, charitable dispensaries, musafir-khanas etc., which benefit the general public irrespective of their caste or creed.

    The Maulana Azad Education Foundation is a voluntary non-political, non-profit making social service organization established to improve literacy levels and educational standards of the educationally backward minorities in particular and weaker sections in general. The main schemes being implemented by the Foundation include establishment or residential schools especially for girls, promotion of technical education, providing financial assistance for remedial coaching and hostel facilities for girls. The Central Wakf Council is a statutory body established by the Central Government for advising it on matters relating to working of the Wakf Boards and proper administration of Wakfs in the country.

WELFARE OF THE DISABLED :

    A comprehensive law, namely, the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, has been enacted and enforced in February, 1996. The law deals with both prevention and promotional aspects of the rehabilitation such as education, employment and vocational training creation of barrier free environment, provisions of rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities, institutional services and supportive social security measures like unemployment allowance and grievance redressal machinery both at the
Central and State levels.

    There is a thrust towards reaching rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities living in the far-flung rural areas. During the last decade efforts have been made to spread rehabilitation services in the rural areas through a network of 11 District Rehabilitation Centres on pilot basis. Recently, Ministry of Welfare now renamed Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (1998) has formulated a scheme with the nomenclature "National Programme for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled’ (MPRD) which proposes to link the concept of community based rehabilitation with the adequate referral support services for the entire country. The scheme is under the process of discussion with the concerned state governments and NGOs.

    Another initiative has been taken to involve the motivated village level volunteers preferably disabled themselves through proper training for mobilizing and motivating the disabled, their families and community to make them aware about the services available for the disabled people and helping them in getting these facilities and making them aware about the potentialities of the disabled persons as useful members of the society.

    The basic objective of the employment of the handicapped is to help the disabled persons in getting gainful employment either through special cells in normal employment exchanges or special employment exchanges located throughout the country. At present there are 41 special cells and 47 special employment exchanges. The scheme is implemented through the State Governments/UT Administrations. The extent of financial assistance is hundred per cent in the case of special cells and 80% in the case of new special employment exchanges.

    Several Grants-in-aid schemes have been introduced some of which are :-

Assistance to Voluntary organizations for Disabled.

Assistance to voluntary organisations for rehabilitation of leprosy cured persons.

Assistance to orgnisations for persons with cerebral palsy and mental retardation.

Establishment and development of special schools for handicapped children.

Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for purchase/fitting of aids and appliances.(ADIP)

WELFARE OF OLDER PERSONS/STREET CHIDLREN :

    Under the scheme for the Welfare of Aged financial assistance is provided to voluntary organization for setting up and continuance of day care centres, old age homes, mobile Medicare units as well as for supporting and strengthening non-institutional services for the aged. Under each of these programmes, the organizations are required to contribute 10 per cent of the expenditure and the remaining 90 per cent being met through the Government of India’s grant-inp-aid.

    The scheme of assistance to Panchayati Raj institution/voluntary organization for construction of Old age Homes was launched during 1996-97. the scheme aims at providing at least one Old Age Home per district for at least 25 persons over 60 years of age preferably destitute (with 25 per cent of the capacity being reserved for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes) in districts where no Government aided Old Age Home exists. The assistance under the scheme is one time construction grant limited to Rs. 15 lakhs.

    A scheme for the welfare of street children has been set up in order to provide integrated community-based non-institutional basic services for the care, protection and development of street children facing destitution, neglect, abuse and exploitation. The scheme came into operation during 1993-94.