Rajasthan

Appearance

1. Dalits (Scheduled Castes - SCs) ​

1.1 General Information ​

  • Population: 16.6% of India's total population (20.14 crore people).
  • K.M. Panikkar (Sociologist): Described the pre-independence situation of Dalits as worse than slavery.

1.2 Constitutional Provisions and Laws ​

  • Article 21: Right to live life with dignity.
  • Article 15: Special provisions for advancement of SCs.
  • Article 16(4A): Reservation in services.
  • Article 17: Abolishes untouchability. Very important.
  • Article 19(1): Elimination of occupational disabilities.
  • Article 25: All religious places open to all castes within Hinduism.
  • Article 46: State to promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections, and protect SCs/STs from injustice (DPSP).
  • Article 335 & 332: Reservation of seats in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
  • Article 338: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (Constitutional Body).
  • SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989: (Amended in 2018). Important.
  • Note: Fundemental Rights/DPSP can be cited if particular articles are not recalled.

1.3 Problems Faced by Dalits ​

  • Concept of purity and pollution.
  • Untouchability.
  • Low social status.
  • Denial of basic amenities and access to temples.
  • Economic problems: Improper payment, deprived of land rights, restricted occupational choices.
  • Most are landless laborers.
  • Manual scavenging (96% employed in it are SCs) - Namaste Yojana to use machines.
  • Denial of access to public utilities (wells, water).
  • Educational deprivation.
  • Restricted access to public institutions.

1.4 Emerging Issues ​

  • Elite Dalit Class: Benefits from reservations repeatedly, hindering opportunities for the most backward. No Creamy Layer provision for SC/ST.
  • Majority of Dalits as marginal farmers/landless laborers in the informal sector, increasing socio-economic backwardness and poverty.
  • New forms of untouchability.
  • Malnutrition and lack of education among children, restricting human development.
  • Segregation in villages, slums in cities.
  • Increase in Dalit consciousness/assertion (can lead to caste tensions if seen as separation from Hinduism).

1.5 Measures to be Taken ​

  • Economic empowerment, facilitate entrepreneurship.
  • Ensure that government measures reach beneficiaries.
  • Promote skills and small businesses.
  • Promote agriculture with guidance and non-financial support.
  • Strengthen legal and judicial systems.
  • Setting up separate funds for scholarships, employment, and skill development.
  • Promote government schemes that promote identification and self respect.
  • Government to organize awareness campaigns.

1.6 Conclusion ​

  • Social identities deeply ingrained, often determine individual fates. Job schemes and police assistance alone are not sufficient.
  • Empowerment is needed in a true sense, with a sensitive and empathetic society that accepts responsibility to remove the suffering and stigma of oppressed sections.

2. The Elderly ​

2.1 Definition ​

  • National Elderly Policy: Defines a person above 60 years of age as elderly.
  • The age where productive contribution declines and financial dependence starts.

2.2 Statistics ​

  • 8.6% of India's population (10.4 crore) is elderly. Projected to grow to 19% in 2050.
  • 71% reside in rural areas, 29% in urban areas (focus on rural areas).
  • Life expectancy increased from 32 years (1947) to 69 years (now).

2.3 Problems Faced ​

  • Negligence by children.
  • Loneliness/isolation.
  • Generation gap.
  • Low digital literacy.
  • Dependence for basic needs.
  • Increased healthcare expenditure.
  • Deteriorating health.
  • Mental illness.
  • Lack of old-age facilities.

2.4 Recent Initiatives ​

  • Integrated Programme for Older Persons.
  • Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana.
  • Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (₹200/month) - Needs to be increased.
  • National Policy for Older Persons (1999).
  • Senior Citizen Welfare Fund (2016).
  • Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (2007).
  • PM Vaya Vandana Yojana.
  • Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme.
  • Train reservations.

2.5 Legal Provisions ​

  • Article 41 & 46 (DPSP): Provisions related to the elderly. General provision for the poor and unwell can be applied here.
  • Section 20 of Hindu Marriage Act & Adoption Act, 1956: Mandatory care of aged parents.
  • Section 125 of CrPC (Now BNS): Parents can claim maintenance from children.
  • Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act.
  • Convention on Rights of Older Persons (Proposed at UN).

2.6 Contribution to Society: Silver Economy ​

  • Silver Economy: Utilizing the experience and skills of older individuals.
  • Vast experience can be utilized.
  • Transfer of moral values in joint families.
  • Cultural and social experience helps reduce social tensions.

2.7 Measures to be Taken ​

  • Allocate separate budgets and funds.
  • Enhance old-age healthcare, especially in rural areas.
  • Provide entertainment facilities (clubs, libraries).
  • Increase monthly pensions.
  • Health insurance.
  • Remove taxes on senior citizen deposits (increase interest rates).

3. The Differently Abled (Divyangjan) ​

3.1 Definition ​

  • People with physical or mental disorders that prevent them from working like normal human beings.
  • Divyang (Hindi): One with a divine organ that enables them to work differently.
  • Long-standing physical, mental, intellectual, and sensory impairments that interfere with participation in society.

3.2 Statistics (Census 2011) ​

  • 2.68 crore individuals (2.21% of the population).
  • 1.25 crore males, 1.18 crore females.
  • 69% live in rural areas.
  • Literacy rate: 55%.
  • Employment rate: 36%.

3.3 Constitutional Framework ​

  • Article 41 (DPSP): State to make effective provisions for public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.
  • Relief of the disabled and unemploved in State List.

3.4 Issues and Challenges ​

  • Discrimination, social exclusion, negative stigma.
  • Negative attitudes towards their families.
  • Lack of data and statistics.
  • Poor policy implementation.
  • Lack of affordable access to healthcare.
  • Lack of rehabilitation centers with trained staff.
  • Unavailability of special schools.
  • Low enrollment in schools and higher education.
  • Low employment rate (especially in the private sector).
  • Physical accessibility to buildings and public transport remains a challenge.

3.5 Way Forward ​

  • Preventive health programs.
  • Screening of children at an early age.
  • Collecting more data and statistics.
  • Improve healthcare for pregnant women and infants.
  • Awareness campaigns about disabilities.
  • Building positive attitudes and showcasing success stories.
  • Overcoming social stigma.
  • Making buildings and transport accessible.
  • Imparting skill-based education.
  • Developing special schools and educational materials.
  • Proper teacher training.
  • Increased budget allocation and separate funds.
  • Proper scheme implementation and monitoring.

3.6 Programs and Schemes ​

  • Government of India: Accessible India Campaign, Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme, financial assistance to NGOs, National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities, Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP Scheme).
  • Rajasthan Government:
    • Divyang Pension Scheme (₹1000/month minimum).
    • Chief Minister Specially Abled Self-Employment Scheme (₹50,000 loan, 50% grant for ages 18-55).
    • Sukhad Dampatya Vivah Anudan Yojana (₹50,000 per couple) Verify the amount.
    • Reserved seats in CM Anuprati Scheme (free coaching).
    • Grant for artificial limbs (₹10,000).
    • Astha Scheme (benefits similar to BPL families if two or more disabled people live together).