Social Welfare - Schemes to Empower Vulnerable Community

Indian Constitution wants to establish a welfare state which is very clear from the Preamble and Directive Principles of State Policy. Path to establish a welfare state is by securing Indian citizens by providing political justice, social justice, and economic justice. For more information on UPSC Exam, check the given link IAS Exam.

Social Welfare – Marginalised and Vulnerable Sections

1. Unorganised Sector
2. Scheduled Class welfare
3. Scheduled Tribe Welfare
4. Backwards Classes
5. Financial Inclusion
6. Minority Welfare
7. Differently-abled welfare
8. Women and Child Development
9. Senior Citizen Welfare
10. Rural Poverty Alleviation
11. Urban Poverty Alleviation

Government Schemes for Different Vulnerable Sections

Different Ministries have different programs to provide justice to different vulnerable sections of Indian society.

Unorganised Sector – Welfare Schemes

The Ministry of Labour and Employment to ensure the welfare of workers have enacted the Unorganized Workers Social Security Act 2008. This Act gives provision for the formation of the National Social Security Board which will help in formulating social security schemes which are given below

1. Life and Disability Cover
2. Health and Maternity Benefits
3. Old age protection

Scheduled Caste – Welfare Schemes

Initiatives that are taken up by the Government of India for the empowerment of Scheduled Class are

1. Educational Empowerment – Provide scholarships from pre-metric level to PhD programs; provide coaching to students preparing for higher studies.
2. National Scheduled Class Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) – Financial assistance to those who live Below Poverty Line.
3. National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) – Financial assistance to safai karamcharis and manual scavengers and their dependents.
4. Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) – States/UTs must formulate special component plans (SCP) and earmark funds for execution of the plan.
5. Scheme of Assistance to Scheduled Castes Development Corporation (SCDC) – Funds are provided to State Scheduled Castes Development Corporation (SCDC).
6. Venture Capital Fund – To promote entrepreneurship amongst the Scheduled Castes. The nodal agency is IFCI Limited.
7. Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme – The objective of this scheme is to provide funding for start-up entrepreneurs belonging to Scheduled Castes.
8. Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 – Untouchability is a punishable offence.
9. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 – Financial assistance is provided to States by the Centre to handle many social problems.
10. Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 – To eliminate dry latrines and manual scavenging.
11. Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY) – Started in 2015 to provide holistic development in villages having more than 50% scheduled caste population.
12. Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojna – To provide hostel facilities for students studying at higher secondary to university level.

Scheduled Tribe – Welfare Schemes

1. Provide education scholarships.
2. Under Article 275(1), the Central Government annually grants 100% aid to State governments.
3. Provide Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce.
4. Promote tribal culture by supporting Tribal Research Institutes and tribal festivals.

Backwards Classes – Welfare Schemes

There are multiple schemes which are given below.

1. Education Empowerment – Scholarships from pre-metric level to higher education.
2. Mahila Samridhi Yojana – To provide microfinance to women entrepreneurs
3. Swarnima Special Scheme – To promote self – dependence among women
4. Assistance to Voluntary Organizations for the welfare of OBCs – Promote the involvement of National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) to improve education and socio-economic condition of people coming under Backward Class and help them to start income generation activities on their own.

Minority Community – Welfare Schemes

There are plenty of schemes launched by the Government of India for the upliftment of the people belonging to Minority Community.

1. Nai Roshni – Scheme for women to provide leadership development training.
2. Scholarship Schemes from pre-metric to higher education, for students belonging to minority communities.
3. Seekho Aur Kamao – Objective is to provide skill development.
4. Jiyo Parsi – Scheme to stop the decline of the Parsi population.
5. Minority Cyber Gram – To introduce digital literacy skills among minorities.

Differently Abled – Welfare Schemes

There are schemes launched for the welfare of Differently-abled people. Some of the schemes are given below.

1. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan – To help persons with disability to have better access to transportation, Information and Communication
2. Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) – To ensure there is equal opportunities and social justice to people with disabilities.

Senior Citizens – Welfare Schemes

Details of some of the schemes launched for senior citizens are given below

1. Vayoshreshtha Sammans – Provide national awards for senior citizens, for rendering services to the elderly persons.
2. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme – Provide social assistance for old age persons.

Women and Child Development – Welfare Schemes

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana – It is a maternity benefit programme.

Urban Poverty Alleviation Schemes

There are multiple schemes by the Government for poverty alleviation in urban areas. Some of the schemes are given below.

1. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Provide housing for all.
2. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – Provide self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities.

Rural Poverty Alleviation Schemes

Some of the schemes are given below

1. National Rurban Mission (NRuM) – Stimulate economic development in villages.
2. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Provide housing for all.

Social Welfare- UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here

The above details would help candidates prepare for UPSC 2022.

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