Scheduled Castes (SCs) in India: Socio-economic Status and Empowerment Policies

Since India's independence, socio-economic development and the protection of scheduled castes (SCs) from discrimination and exploitation has been a high priority area for the country. The SCs have been socially ostracized, economically exploited, and denied human dignity and a sense of self-worth. According to the 2011 Census, SCs constituted 16.9% of the Indian population. And, sadly, women belonging to SCs are in a far worse situation by all development indicators. Poverty and deprivation affect them more adversely. And yet, despite of their adverse conditions, they contribute significantly to the sustenance and growth of the production system of the country. The development and empowerment of SCs is a commitment enshrined in India's constitution. This is to be done by ensuring equal rights, access to benefits and resources, and empowerment to enable SCs to develop their potential and capacity as agents of social change, through the process of planned development. Planning in recent years has seen a visible shift in focus from the mere expansion of the production of goods and services - and the consequent growth of per capita income - to planning for the enhancement of human well-being. This book examines the problems and constraints of the SCs population. The various measures adopted to ameliorate their socio-economic conditions are also discussed. [Subject: India Studies, Sociology, Human Rights, Women's Studies, Poverty Studies, Development Studies]