Question

Mention any two provisions made to safeguard the interests of SC/ST.

Answer 1

i) According to the Article 15, the state should not discriminate against any citizen only on the ground of caste, creed, etc. More positively, Article 15(4) further states that the state may (in spite of right to equality) make special provisions for the welfare of socially and educationally backward classes. Thus, if the State takes any measures in favour of these castes and communities it would not be challenged on the ground of right to equality.

ii) According to the provisions of Article 330, 332 and 334, the seats are reserved in the Parliament and State Legislatures in favour of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their number in the population.