complaints with respect to the deprivation of the rights and safeguards of the Social Welfare: Concept,

Approaches and Policies

Scheduled Tribes.

In addition to this Commission, there is National Scheduled Tribes Finance and

Development Corporation (set up in 2001) for accelerating the pace of economic
development of scheduled tribes, and for providing financial assistance as grant
for skill and entrepreneurial development of the target group. There is also one
federation called Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India
Ltd. (set up in 1987) which is now engaged in the marketing of its development
of tribal products (natural and organic products, handicrafts, etc.) for direct sale
though its own outlets or sale though other shops.

Then there are schemes for the economic development of ST women and micro-
credit schemes to provide financial assistance for self-employment ventures/
activities by STs. There is also a scheme for providing financial assistance to ST
students for pursuing higher studies and for post-doctoral research programmes
abroad. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs also provides adequate educational
infrastructure for STs and several incentives including scholarships for education
of ST students. By enacting the Forest Rights Act, 2006, the STs and other
traditional forest dwellers are vested with forest rights and allowed occupation
of forest land.

9.4.3 Welfare of Other Backward Classes

The Second Backward Classes Commission (commonly known as Mandal
Commission), constituted under Article 340, submitted it’s Report in 1980. Based
on this Report, the Government of India, in 1993, reserved 27 per cent of vacancies
in civil posts and services under the Central Government, to be filled through
direct recruitment in favour of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The facility
of reservation to OBCs was later extended for admissions and employment in
Central educational institutions also.
National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)
The NBCFDC was set up in 1992 with the objective of promoting 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.
Educational Empowerment
There are also schemes such as Pre and Post-Matric Scholarships, National
Fellowships and award of interest subsidy to OBC students. A central scheme
for provision of hostels to students from De-notified tribes, who are not covered
under SC, ST or OBC categories, to enable them to pursue secondary and higher
education, has been in vogue.

9.4.4 Welfare of Persons with Disabilities

Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India prohibit discrimination of persons
on grounds of disabilities. They are also entitled to all the Rights guaranteed by
the constitution.

With a view to give focused attention to different policy issues and meaningful
thrust to the activities aimed at welfare and empowerment of the persons with 125
Social Welfare disabilities, a separate Department of Disability Affairs was carved out of the
Administrations
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2012. This Department now
acts as a nodal agency for matters relating to disability and persons with disabilities
besides enabling closer coordination among different stakeholders: related central
ministries, state/UT governments, NGOs etc., in matters pertaining to disability.
Thus the Indian Constitution protects the interests of, persons suffering from
certain disabilities.

Article 41 provides for Right to work, to education and to public assistance in

case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement. Besides, the Eleventh
and Twelfth Schedules of the constitution, which pertain to the powers and
responsibilities of the Panchayats and Municipalities respectively with respect
to implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice,
include welfare and safeguarding the interests of persons with disabilities among
the other poor sections of the society. Several statutes enacted at the central level
are aimed at the rehabilitation and welfare of persons with disabilities in general
and those with specific categories of disabilities. The Department of
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities initiates legislation relating to the
disabled and monitors all the central schemes meant for the disabled persons.

The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is a statutory body and is the apex
body of the Union Government to regulate training programmes and courses
targeted at disabled, disadvantaged, and special education requirement
communities. The Council is required to maintain the Central Rehabilitation
Register which mainly documents details of all qualified professionals in this
field.

9.4.5 National Policy for Older Persons

The existing National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) was announced in 1999
to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to ensure the well-being of the older
persons. NPOP envisages state support to ensure financial and food security,
health care, shelter and fulfilment of the other needs of older persons, equitable
share in development, protection against abuse and exploitation, and provision
of services to improve the quality of their lives. The primary objectives of NPOP
are to encourage families to take care of their older family members; to extend
support to voluntary and non-governmental organisations to supplement the care
provided by the family and to provide adequate healthcare facilities to the elderly.

9.4.6 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Policy

Addiction of youth to drugs in India has become a serious problem, especially in
some urban pockets. India is a transit point as well as a destination for narcotic
substances. According to a recent survey by one of the central ministries India
has more than 70 million drug addicts. Realising the gravity of the problem, the
Union Ministry of Finance, in consultation with all stakeholders including the
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, has come up with the Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Policy(NDPS Policy).It spellsout the policy
of India towards narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. NDPS policy serves
as a guide to various Ministries and organisations in the Government of India
and to the state governments as well as international organisations and NGOs.
Overall, it asserts India’s commitment to combat the drug menace in a holistic
126
indulgingin illegal adoption shall be punished. The Act has adequate safeguards Social Welfare: Concept,
Approaches and Policies
for children to ensure their best interests.
Holistic Development of the Child
For holistic development of the child, the Ministry has been implementing the
world’s largest outreach programme of Integrated Child Development Services
(ICDS) or Anganwadi services, which has been in existence since 1975. It provides
a package of services comprising supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health
check-up, referral services, and pre-school non-formal education, with the
objective of improving the nutritional and health status of children in the age
group of 0 – 6 years. The major policy initiatives undertaken by the Ministry in
the recent past include universalisation of ICDS and, launching of a nutrition
programme for adolescent girls (11 – 18 years), establishment of the Commission
for protection of Child Rights, and enactment of Protection of Women from
Domestic Violence Act.

In addition to the above, the National Plan of Action for Children (N P A C) was
introduced in 2016, which keys upon four priority areas: survival; health and
nutrition; education and development; protection; and participation. The Ministry
has also been making efforts for a more effective involvement of non-
governmental organisations in women and child welfare programmes.
Welfare of people in distress
People affected by the disasters such as flood, cyclone, earthquake, drought,
landslide, major fire, major accidents, etc., need immediate rescue & can make
legitimate claims on the state for rescue, relief as well as long-term rehabilitation
assistance The Disaster Management Act (2005) has provided the legal
framework under which the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State
Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) have come into operation to meet rescue and
relief expenditure of a notified disaster event. Relief includes items for survival
such as food, water, health, medical assistance, clothing, shelter, etc. Relief and
other services are provided on an ad hoc basis for a few weeks or months to
enable the disaster victims to recover to a state of normalcy. The state government
concerned has the primary responsibility for providing rescue and relief. The
District Collector/ Magistrate is empowered to take emergency measures to deal
with disaster situations. NGOs like Red Cross play important roles in the relief
and rehabilitation process.
Check Your Progress 2
Note: i) Use the space given below for your answers.
ii) Check your answers with those given at the end of the Unit.
1) What has been done by the Central Government for the welfare of women in
India?
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129
In its voluminous report, the Kothari Commission recommended that the Education Policy and Right
to Education
Government of India should issue statement on the National Policy of Education
to guide the state and local authorities. Accordingly, the Union Government issued
in 1968 a statement of National Policy on Education.

10.2.1 National Policy on Education, 1968

The National Policy on Education, 1968, stressed that “the educational system
must produce young men and women of character and ability committed to
national service and development. Only then will education be able to play its
vital role in promoting national progress, creating a sense of common citizenship
and culture, and strengthening national integration. This is necessary if the country
is to attain its rightful place in the comity of nations in conformity with its great
cultural heritage and its unique potentialities.

The National Policy on Education (1968) laid stress on: free and compulsory
education for all children up to the age of 14; adequate and satisfactory
emoluments to the teachers having regard to their qualifications and
responsibilities; development of regional languages and implementation of three-
language formula; equalisation of educational opportunities; accelerating the
growth of national economy, science education and research; development of
education for agriculture and industry; production of quality text books for schools
and Universities; facilities for Secondary and University education and spread
of literacy and adult education; development of games and sports; protection of
rights of minorities to promote their educational interests; and adoption of the
10+2+3 pattern in educational structure. This policy document also recommended
a review the progress of education after every five years.

The National Policy on Education of 1968 marked a significant milestone in the

history of education in post-Independence India. Besides promoting national
progress, and a sense of common citizenship and culture, it aimed at strengthening
national integration. It laid stress on the need for a transformation of the education
system, to improve its quality at all stages, and gave much greater attention to
science and technology, the cultivation of moral values and forging a closer
relation between education and the life of the people.

10.3 NATIONAL POLICY ON EDUCATION (1986)

WITH REVISIONS (1992)
In the formulation of National Education Policy (1986), the previous reports of
the national commissions on education were reviewed. The policy formulated in
1968 had served a useful purpose but could not accommodate the new
developments. On 5 January 1985, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi suggested
the development of New Education Policy. He remarked that “I would strongly
emphasise education’s organic link with the productive forces of society”. On
19th August 1985, the Education Minister K.C. Pant presented a status Report on
Education to the Prime Minister entitled, “Challenges of Education – A Policy
Perspective”. This was also placed before the Parliament. Wide-ranging
discussions among educationists took place on this Report: Based on these
discussions, the National Policy of Education (NPE) was adopted by Parliament
in May 1986. The Policy was followed up by an elaboration through the
Programme of Action (POA), which was adopted by Parliament, in August 1986.
135
Social Welfare 13.2.3 Child Labour Prohibition
Administrations

Under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016,
there is a complete prohibition on employment or work of children below 14
years of age in all occupations and processes. This Act also makes provision for
linking the age of the prohibition of employment with the age for free and
compulsory education under the Right to Education Act, 2009. In addition, the
Act provides for prohibition on employment of adolescents (14 to 18 years of
age) in hazardous occupations or processes. Violation of the provisions of the
Act attracts penalties / punishments. The primary aim of the Act to allow the
children to get education and enjoy the essence of life is thus fulfilled.

13.2.4 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

PMKVY, an outcome-based skill training and certification scheme of the Ministry
of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), was launched in 2015.
The objective of this skill training and certification scheme is to mobilise and
enable a large number of youth to take up outcome-based skill training to become
employable and earn their livelihood.

13.2.5 Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana (PMYY)

The PMYY is a centrally sponsored scheme on entrepreneurship education and
training, launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
in 2016.The objective behind the introduction of this scheme is to create an
enabling eco-system for entrepreneurship promotion among youth through
entrepreneurship education and training. It advocates easy access to
entrepreneurship support network and promotion of social enterprises for inclusive
growth. Its target is to cover 7 lakh students in five years 2016-17 to 2020-21.

13.2.6 Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RUDSETI)

It has been decided by the Union Government to set up one Rural Self Employment
Training Institute (RUDSETI) in each district of the country. RUDSETIs are
bank-lead initiative with the active support of the state government concerned.
The Government of India provides one- time infrastructure support of Rs. 1 crore
to each RUDSETI besides reimbursing the cost of training of candidates from
the rural poor. The state government provides land free of cost or at nominal
charges and the banks are responsible for day to day functioning of the training
institute. Each RUDSETI is expected to train 750 rural poor youth per annum to
take up self-employment in the area they reside. RUDSETIs also provide doses
of skill up-gradation training through one to six-weeks programmes. Currently
583 RUDSETIs are functioning in the country.
Check Your Progress 1
Note: i) Use the space given below for your answers.
ii) Check your answers with those given at the end of the Unit.
1) Define the term ‘employment policy’.
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170
 It is to found that the Act is designed to offer an incentive structure to Employment Policy
the states for providing employment as ninety percent of the cost for (MGNREGA)

employment provided is borne by the Centre.

The bulk of the funding for the scheme is borne by the Central
government.
2) Your answer should include the following points:
CAG has revealed some lapses in the implementation of MGNREGA.
Five states which had not even notified the eight-year old scheme.
A lot of money disbursed by the government gets siphoned off by
middlemen, thus leaving a number of MGNREGA workers either with
unpaid wages or less than standard wages.
It is stated to be an inefficient instrument of shifting income to the poor.

177
NOTES
NOTES