Disadvantaged groups and the empowerment of SCs and STs
Disadvantaged groups face social and economic discrimination. For SCs and STs, the government follows a three-pronged strategy: social empowerment, economic empowerment and social justice.
Who are disadvantaged groups?
The aim of development is that every section of society shares in it, with equal access and equal chances to move up. Many groups still face social and economic discrimination and cannot take a full part. These are disadvantaged groups: Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), minorities and women. Women make up almost half of the population. Children, especially girls and children of poor families, also need special support through schooling, nutrition and health schemes. See the latest Census for the population share of each group.
Social empowerment: education first
- Education is the most effective tool for empowerment, so it gets top priority.
- In elementary school: no tuition fees, free books, mid-day meals and scholarships.
- Special attention to ST students in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and the National Talent Search Scheme.
- Pre-matric scholarships for children of families doing menial work, and post-matric scholarships for study after Class 10.
- The Upgradation of Merit scheme gives extra coaching. National fellowships for SC students (the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowships in your lesson) support higher studies and research.
- Coaching for competitive exams, and hostels for girls and boys from the upper primary stage.
Economic empowerment: the main bodies
| Body | What it does |
|---|---|
| NSFDC (National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation) | Finance and support for SC beneficiaries' income-earning work |
| NSKFDC (National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation) | Finance and support for safai karamcharis (sanitation workers) |
| NSTFDC (National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation) | Loans, marketing support and training for ST income and jobs |
| SCDCs (state Scheduled Castes Development Corporations) | Finance job schemes in farming, minor irrigation, small industry, transport and trade |
| STDCs (state Scheduled Tribes Development Corporations) | Channel finance and other help to ST beneficiaries |
| TRIFED | Marketing help to STs for minor forest produce and surplus farm produce |
Social justice: protective laws
- The Constitution protects SCs and STs from social injustice and exploitation, and abolishes untouchability.
- Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: punishes the practice of untouchability.
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: punishes crimes and abuse against SCs and STs.
- Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006: recognises forest dwellers' rights to forest land and produce.
How the three prongs support each other
- back to Social empowerment (education)
Scholarships for SC and ST students, Navodaya and Kasturba Gandhi schools, and tribal forest products sold through TRIFED are real channels of empowerment. The Prevention of Atrocities Act lets victims of caste-based abuse seek justice.
3 marks: “Describe any three measures for the social empowerment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.” (1) Elementary school incentives: no fees, free books, mid-day meals and scholarships. (2) Pre-matric and post-matric scholarships and national fellowships for higher studies. (3) Coaching for competitive exams and hostels for girls and boys. (Also special focus in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas.)
6 marks: “How has the Government of India tried to empower Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes? Explain six steps under its three-pronged strategy.” Opening: a three-pronged strategy. Points: (1) social empowerment through school incentives; (2) scholarships, fellowships, coaching and hostels; (3) economic empowerment through NSFDC, NSKFDC and NSTFDC; (4) state SCDCs and STDCs, and TRIFED for forest produce; (5) social justice laws: PCR Act 1955, Atrocities Act 1989, Forest Rights Act 2006; (6) progress is real, but benefits must reach everyone. Close: education, income and rights must go together.
1 marks: “Which body gives marketing help to STs for minor forest produce?” TRIFED.
SC and ST empowerment = SEJ: Social (schooling), Economic (finance bodies), Justice (protective laws).