Almost a quarter of India's population consists of the SCs and STs, who had remained neglected for centuries. The approach for their development has been enunciated by the Constitution. The government has taken several steps for their welfare. The representation of the SCs and STs in the Parliament and State assemblies is assured.
Under the Special Assistance scheme, nearly 300,000 families were expected to benefit during 1994-95. There is a Special Component Plan for the SCs. The Central government participates in the share capital investment of the Scheduled Caste Development Corporation, set up in States. The National SC and ST Finance and Development Corporation is a 100 percent government-owned no profit no loss corporation for developing entrepreneurial and other skills of this section.
To deal with the problem of scavangers, called Safai Karmacharis, a National Commission for Safai Karmacharis has been set up. There is a National Scheme of Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers. Scholarships are offered to SC/ST students who can also draw from the Book Banks. They also receive coaching for civil services examinations and professional institutions through special centres across the country.
The birth centenary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, one of the architects of the Indian Constitution who was born into a scheduled caste family, was celebrated in 1990 and extended through 1992. A lot has been done to honour his memory since then. An international seminar was held in London, from November 24 to 26, 1994. His collected works have been released in Hindi, Tamil and Punjabi.
The Tribal Sub Plan strategy and Special Central Assistance programmes aim at improving the lot of the STs. Under the 20-point programme, over one million ST families were assisted during 1994. A Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has been set up with its turnover in 1994 crossing Rs. 173 crore. For the Other Backward Classes, the government has announced a 27 percent reservation in civil services and posts. A National Backward Class Finance and Development Corporation has also been set up.
Social Objectives and Welfare
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