India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is tasked with the development and empowerment of scheduled castes (SCs), scheduled tribes (STs), other backward classes (OBCs), minorities, and the disabled and other marginalized groups. Through targeted programs the ministry attempts to increase access to resources and ensure their rights.
The ministry serves a large population. According to the 2001 Census, the SC population in India is 166.64 million and minorities’ compromise 189.4 million. While there is no clear data on India’s OBC population since India conducted its last caste census in 1931, a 2007 survey calculated India’s OBC population at 41% of 1.2 billion or about 492 million. The ministry also serves 21.90 million disabled and about 70.6 million who are older than 60 years and tens of millions of people from other marginalized groups whose numbers are harder to quantify. They include ex-convicts, orphans and children in distress. The other marginalized groups include persons who come in conflict with law, children who are in distress, orphans etc.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has implemented several programs for empowering these groups. For the disabled, the government is considering consolidating various programs under the National Program for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. This will help the government to administer the programs more efficiently.
Although the center has initiated various programs to address inequality in India, the situation is still bleak. Socially backward classes continue to suffer, especially in rural areas. Persons with disabilities also face significant obstacles – physical, structural and cultural in integrating into mainstream Indian society. Many of India’s public spaces are still not handicap-friendly, no surprise in a country that doesn’t have enough toilets for able-bodied folks. Though larger cities have started taking steps to improve this, it remains an issue in smaller cities.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was established in May 1998. It was earlier known as Ministry of Welfare comprised of the Department of Women and Child Development and the Department of Welfare.
Additional changes soon followed. In October 1999, the Ministry’s Tribal Development division became a separate entity, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. In January 2007, the minorities division a separate ministry, taking the Central Wakf Council, the bodies that administered the land granted to mosques and Muslim holy sites, with it. The Child Development division was simultaneously transferred to Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Although India’s constitution provides that disabilities are the states’ responsibility, the central government has taken steps to provide special attention to this population. To accomplish this, the central government in May 2012 upgraded the ministry’s “Disability Division” to the Department of Disability Affairs to strengthen it and make it more efficient. They simultaneously created the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s main responsibility is implementing and administering welfare activities for India’s most disadvantaged and marginalized populations. The ministry’s Department of Social Justice and Empowerment acts as a hub for matters pertaining to SCs, Socially and Educationally backward classes, de-notified tribes, economically backward classes and senior citizens. The department makes policies, plans and coordinates various programs for the development of these groups.
The Department of Disability handles policy, planning and coordination of programs for people with disabilities. The department implements schemes for social, educational and economic empowerment of the disabled.
Attached or Autonomous Bodies
National Scheduled Castes Financial and Development Corporation (NSCFDC)
Established for the economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste people who are living below poverty line, the National Scheduled Castes Financial and Development Corporation was set up in 1989 as a “not for profit” company. The corporation finances self-employment and income generation schemes for this group through the state agencies.
National Safai Karamcharis Financial and Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
National Safai Karamcharis Financial and Development Corporation, set up in 1997 as a “not for profit” company, promotes the socioeconomic development of Safai Karamcharis – who clean latrines by hand and are also called manual scavengers – and their dependents by providing financial assistance at reduced interest rates for income generating activities. The corporation also provides education loans to students of this group to pursue higher education.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was established in 2004 through amendment of Article 338 and inserting new Article 338A in the Constitution. The Commission’s main function is ensuring safeguards provided for STs. The Commissions also examines specific complaints relating to the aforementioned safeguards. The Commission also helps formulate plans to encourage socio-economic development of this group and evaluates their progress.
National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK)
National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was set up in August 1994 to promote and safeguard the interests of Safai Karamcharis, who are engaged in manual scavenging or cleaning human excrement from other people’s latrines. The commission studies, monitors and evaluates the implementation of various programs and schemes to help manual scavengers transition from this degrading profession. It also makes recommendations to the central government regarding the implementation of these schemes.
Ambedkar Foundation was set up in 1992 as a registered society. The foundation promotes the ideologies of Dr. B R Ambedkar, who broke through the caste barrier to author India’s Constitution. He has worked towards development of the poor and downtrodden. The main function of the Ambedkar Foundation is to administer and carry on the programs and schemes identified during the Centenary Celebrations of Dr. B R Ambedkar.
National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)
National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation was set up in 1992 as a “not for profit” company to promote economic and development activities for Backward Classes. The corporation assists in skill development and self-employment activities and provides financial assistance for these activities through state agencies.
National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)
National Commission for Backward Classes was set up in 1993 to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes. The commission also recommends programs to improve the lives of backward classes.
National Handicapped Financial and Development Corporation (NHFDC)
National Handicapped Financial and Development Corporation was set up in January 1997 as a nonprofit company. It channels funds to persons with disabilities through the state agencies.
Artificial Limbs Manufacture Corporation of India Limited (ALIMCO)
Artificial Limbs Manufacture Corporation of India Limited manufactures and supplies artificial limb components and other rehabilitation aids for the physically handicapped. It began production in 1976.
Office of the Chief Commissioner for Disabilities (OCCD)
Office of the Chief Commissioner for Disabilities was set up in 1995 to redress the grievances people with disabilities and ensure implementation of laws.
Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
Rehabilitation Council of India was set up in 1986 as a registered society. In 1992, the Parliament enacted the RCI Act and it was made a statutory body next year. This act was later amended to make it more broad-based. The main objective of RCI is to regulate and monitor the services provided to the persons with disabilities. It standardizes the syllabi and maintains a Central Rehabilitation Register for all qualified professionals and personnel who are working in the area of rehabilitation and special education.
National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities (National Trust)
Established in 1999, the National Trust works to ensure the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities. It also enables and empowers persons with disabilities to live as independently and as fully as possible while integrating them into the mainstream.
Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute for the Physically Handicapped
Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute for the Physically Handicapped was formed when the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and other allied institution run by the council for the aid of crippled & handicapped were taken over by the government of India in 1975. The following year they were converted into an autonomous body. In 2002, the name was changed to Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute for the Physically Handicapped. The Institute serves physically disabled people of all ages through various programs.
Dr. Shayama Prasad Mukherjee National Institute for Orthopedically Handicapped
Established in 1978, the institute trains physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orthotic and prosthetic experts, employment and placements officers and vocational counselors to work with people with loco-motor disability and the orthopedically handicapped. It conducts and sponsors research relating to rehabilitation of orthopedically handicapped. The institute was previously called National Institute for Orthopedically Handicapped
National Institute for Rehabilitation, Training and Research (NIRTAR)
National Institute for Rehabilitation, Training and Research was created as Directorate of Artificial Limbs Fitting Centre in1974 in New Delhi. Initially functioning under ALIMCO administrative control in February 1984, the institute split from ALIMCO and became the National Institute for Rehabilitation, Training and Research. Now located in Orissa, the institute sponsors and co-ordinates the training of doctors, engineers, prosthetics, prosthetic and orthotic technicians, physiotherapists and other professionals who rehabilitate the physically handicapped. It also conducts research, provides aids and appliances and promotes the use of ALIMCO products.
National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH)
National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped was set up in 1984 in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh. The institute focuses on human resource development, research and development, development of models of care and rehabilitation, consultancy services to voluntary organizations, community based rehabilitation, and outreach programs for the mentally disabled. The institute has regional centers in New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped (AYJNIHH)
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped was established in August 1983 in Mumbai. It has satellite offices in Kolkata, New Delhi, Secunderabad and Bhubaneswar. The institutes focuses on manpower development, research, educational programs, and community programs.
National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiply Disability (NIEPMD)
National Institute for Empowerment with Multiply Disability was set up in 2005 in Chennai. It serves as a national resource center for empowering citizens with two or more disabilities. The Institute develops manpower, conducts research, and provides services and outreach for people with multiple disabilities.
National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH)
National Institute for the Visually Handicapped came into form in 1979 after the upgrade of the National Institute for Blind. The institute promotes the rights and dignity of persons with visual impairment, conducts research and helps them find jobs.
National Institute for Social Defense (NISD)
National Institute for Social Defense, established in 1961, supports rehabilitation of citizens struggling with substance abuse. It also provides technical support to strengthen intervention programs like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.
A total of Rs. 5375 crore ($999.07 million USD) was allocated to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2011-12. From this, a major portion of Rs. 4616.50 crore ($858.08 million USD) was allocated to the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Castes. This included all money from the central government for the scheduled caste sub plan, post-matric scholarship scheme, pre-matric scholarship for children of those engaged in unclean population, pre-matric scholarship for SC students, establishing hostels, assistance to voluntary organizations for welfare of scheduled castes, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship, the Self Employment Scheme of Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers, Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana and other programs for the welfare of SCs.
The handicapped, drug addicted, elderly and other vulnerable populations received total allocation of Rs. 544 crore ($101.11 million USD). This included money sent to the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme, National Institutes for Blind, Deaf, Mentally Retarded and Orthopedically Handicapped, Schemes for implementation of Persons with Disability Act, Scheme of Employment of Physically Challenged, Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse, and assistance to voluntary organizations for Old Age Home among other schemes of social welfare.
Railways, Municipal Bodies Largest Employers of Manual Scavengers
Even as the Central Government has redoubled efforts to abolish manual scavenging, the Railways and Municipal bodies still remain the largest employer of manual scavengers. Despite 1993’s Manual Scavenging Act, which bans the practice, was about 750, 000 Indians continue to earn their living through cleaning other people’s latrines with their hands. The railways have openly flouted the rules and continue to do so. The central government has failed to tackle the situation. A bill to eliminate dry latrines, manual scavenging and rehabilitation of manual scavengers was introduced in the Lok Sabha in the monsoon session of 2012.
HC Takes Railways to Task for Employing Manual Scavengers (by Utkarsh Anand, Indian Express)
Rail Tracks Hurdle to Blanket Ban on Manual Scavenging (by Subodh Ghildiyal and Rajeev Deshpande, Times of India)
Quota for Promotions for SC/ST
As with many issues in India, the debate over reservations for Scheduled Caste/Schedules Tribes in government services (more commonly called the bureaucracy) comes down to vote bank politics between Uttar Pradesh’s two main parties: Mayawati’s Bahujan Samajwadi Party and the Samajwadi Party, whose leader Mulayam Singh Yadav just beat Mayawati to become UP’s Chief Minister. The Union cabinet has approved a proposal that will allow for reservation in promotions for Scheduled Casts/Scheduled Tribes in government jobs. The law would still maintain a policy of heavily recruiting both OBC’s and SC/ST’s but it would only set aside top positions for Scheduled Castes, who are commonly referred to as Dalits and Scheduled Tribes, commonly called Tribals. Being a Constitutional Amendment Bill, it needs to be passed with minimum two-thirds majority through both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Since the both the BSP and the SP are so-called outside supporters of the Congress Party’s UPA II coalition, Congress needs to tread lightly and keep both sides happy.
For Quota
Mayawati’s Bahujan Samajwadi Party, whose vote bank is mostly comprised of Dalits, is championing the passage of the bill. Advocates for Dalits argue that untouchables are still far disproportionately poorer than the vast majority of Indians. For Mayawati, it’s also a vote bank issue, as she wants to deliver the prospect of these jobs to her constituents.
SC/ST job promotions quota bill introduced in RS (Zee News Bureau)
Against Quota
The Samajwadi Party vehemently opposes this bill in India’s parliament. For the Samajwadi Party, whose vote bank is comprised of other backward classes or OBC’s it’s also a question of looking out for the rights of their supporters. Though OBC’s have gained some ground recently, India’s bureaucracy is still dominated by upper castes. Mulayam Singh Yadav is loath to support a measure that he feels will further marginalize his supporters.
SC/ST quota Bill fails the test (by Rajeev Dhavan, Mail Today)
Samajwadi Party opposes govt's plan to enable SC, ST promotion quota (by Nistula Hebbar, Economic Times)
Enforce Laws against Caste-Based Discrimination
Sixty-five years after India’s founding, shocking caste-based discrimination continues to persist. Separate wells in villages that Dalits are forced to drink from, vicious sexual violence perpetrated by upper castes to enforce their hegemony over the lower castes and thousands of honor killings often are carried out by relatives angered that a daughter would dare to marry someone from a lower caste. Perhaps most shockingly is such practices persist even among India’s educated elite. The government has failed to secure dignity of these groups even after introduction of a number of programs and schemes in this area. Most observers agree there is a yawning gulf between the laws and the enforcement of those laws. It was a sentiment best summed up by a report in the wake of the September meeting of International Movement Against All forms of Racism and Discrimination. “India has a strong range of constitutional provisions and laws that not only ban caste discrimination and “untouchability,” but have preventive measures on the discrimination and violence that erupts out of caste-based discrimination,” the report reads. “However, effective implementation remains a chronic problem.”
Govt. Teachers Force Dalit Kids to Clean Toilets (by D P Bhattacharya, India Today)
India: Another Dalit Suicide Highlights Discrimination (by Jason Overdorf, Global Post)
Even Doctors Face Caste Discrimination in Tamil Nadu (by Kumar Chellappan, DNA)
Statement of International Movement Against All forms of Racism and Discrimination (pdf)
Mukul Wasnik (2009-2012)
Mukul Wasnik was the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from May 2009 to September 2012. Wasnik was educated at Mount Carmel Convent, SFS High School, Hislop College and Department of Business Management of Nagpur University in Nagpur, Maharashtra. He is Master of Arts and Master of Business Administration. His father, Balkrishna Wasnik, was also a Congress leader who served as Member of Parliament for three terms.
Wasnik was active in student politics since his college days and held positions of General Secretary of Maharashtra State NSUI and later of President of All India NSUI. He has also served as President, Indian Youth Congress. He was first elected to Lok Sabha in 1984. He has been elected to Lok Sabha for four terms since then.
Wasnik is also serving as the General Secretary of All India Congress Committee. A member of the Indian National Congress, he currently represents the Ramtek constituency of Maharashtra. In the Cabinet, Wasnik has also held the positions of Union Minister of State, Human Resource Development (Department of Youth Affairs & Sports) and Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs.
Meira Kumar (2004 to 2009)
Meira Kumar served as the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2004 to 2009. She is a member of Indian National Congress and represents Sasaram constituency of Bihar. She currently holds the portfolio of Speaker of Lok Sabha. Kumar began her career in 1973 by joining the Indian Foreign Service. She entered politics in 1985 and has been elected to five terms of the Lok Sabha.
Satyanarayan Jatiya (November 1999 to September 2001)
Born in 1946 in Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya served as the Union Minister of Labour from November 1999 to September 2001. Jatiya completed his bachelors, masters and doctorate from MP’s Vikram University. He became a party secretary with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, a forerunner of the BJP. In 1977, he was elected to the Madhya Pradesh state
He was first elected to the Madhya Pradesh state legislative assembly in 1977. In 1980, the same year the Bharatiya Janata Party was founded, he entered the Lok Sabha.
Representing the Ujjain constituency of Madhya Pradesh, he has been elected to six terms of Lok Sabha and apart from Labour Minister, he’s held the portfolios of Union Minister of Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation and Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Table of Contents
- Overview
- History
- What it Does
- Where Does the Money Go
- Controversies
- Debate
- Suggested Reforms
- Former Directors
- Comments
- Leave a comment
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is tasked with the development and empowerment of scheduled castes (SCs), scheduled tribes (STs), other backward classes (OBCs), minorities, and the disabled and other marginalized groups. Through targeted programs the ministry attempts to increase access to resources and ensure their rights.
The ministry serves a large population. According to the 2001 Census, the SC population in India is 166.64 million and minorities’ compromise 189.4 million. While there is no clear data on India’s OBC population since India conducted its last caste census in 1931, a 2007 survey calculated India’s OBC population at 41% of 1.2 billion or about 492 million. The ministry also serves 21.90 million disabled and about 70.6 million who are older than 60 years and tens of millions of people from other marginalized groups whose numbers are harder to quantify. They include ex-convicts, orphans and children in distress. The other marginalized groups include persons who come in conflict with law, children who are in distress, orphans etc.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has implemented several programs for empowering these groups. For the disabled, the government is considering consolidating various programs under the National Program for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. This will help the government to administer the programs more efficiently.
Although the center has initiated various programs to address inequality in India, the situation is still bleak. Socially backward classes continue to suffer, especially in rural areas. Persons with disabilities also face significant obstacles – physical, structural and cultural in integrating into mainstream Indian society. Many of India’s public spaces are still not handicap-friendly, no surprise in a country that doesn’t have enough toilets for able-bodied folks. Though larger cities have started taking steps to improve this, it remains an issue in smaller cities.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was established in May 1998. It was earlier known as Ministry of Welfare comprised of the Department of Women and Child Development and the Department of Welfare.
Additional changes soon followed. In October 1999, the Ministry’s Tribal Development division became a separate entity, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. In January 2007, the minorities division a separate ministry, taking the Central Wakf Council, the bodies that administered the land granted to mosques and Muslim holy sites, with it. The Child Development division was simultaneously transferred to Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Although India’s constitution provides that disabilities are the states’ responsibility, the central government has taken steps to provide special attention to this population. To accomplish this, the central government in May 2012 upgraded the ministry’s “Disability Division” to the Department of Disability Affairs to strengthen it and make it more efficient. They simultaneously created the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s main responsibility is implementing and administering welfare activities for India’s most disadvantaged and marginalized populations. The ministry’s Department of Social Justice and Empowerment acts as a hub for matters pertaining to SCs, Socially and Educationally backward classes, de-notified tribes, economically backward classes and senior citizens. The department makes policies, plans and coordinates various programs for the development of these groups.
The Department of Disability handles policy, planning and coordination of programs for people with disabilities. The department implements schemes for social, educational and economic empowerment of the disabled.
Attached or Autonomous Bodies
National Scheduled Castes Financial and Development Corporation (NSCFDC)
Established for the economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste people who are living below poverty line, the National Scheduled Castes Financial and Development Corporation was set up in 1989 as a “not for profit” company. The corporation finances self-employment and income generation schemes for this group through the state agencies.
National Safai Karamcharis Financial and Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
National Safai Karamcharis Financial and Development Corporation, set up in 1997 as a “not for profit” company, promotes the socioeconomic development of Safai Karamcharis – who clean latrines by hand and are also called manual scavengers – and their dependents by providing financial assistance at reduced interest rates for income generating activities. The corporation also provides education loans to students of this group to pursue higher education.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was established in 2004 through amendment of Article 338 and inserting new Article 338A in the Constitution. The Commission’s main function is ensuring safeguards provided for STs. The Commissions also examines specific complaints relating to the aforementioned safeguards. The Commission also helps formulate plans to encourage socio-economic development of this group and evaluates their progress.
National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK)
National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was set up in August 1994 to promote and safeguard the interests of Safai Karamcharis, who are engaged in manual scavenging or cleaning human excrement from other people’s latrines. The commission studies, monitors and evaluates the implementation of various programs and schemes to help manual scavengers transition from this degrading profession. It also makes recommendations to the central government regarding the implementation of these schemes.
Ambedkar Foundation was set up in 1992 as a registered society. The foundation promotes the ideologies of Dr. B R Ambedkar, who broke through the caste barrier to author India’s Constitution. He has worked towards development of the poor and downtrodden. The main function of the Ambedkar Foundation is to administer and carry on the programs and schemes identified during the Centenary Celebrations of Dr. B R Ambedkar.
National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)
National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation was set up in 1992 as a “not for profit” company to promote economic and development activities for Backward Classes. The corporation assists in skill development and self-employment activities and provides financial assistance for these activities through state agencies.
National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)
National Commission for Backward Classes was set up in 1993 to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes. The commission also recommends programs to improve the lives of backward classes.
National Handicapped Financial and Development Corporation (NHFDC)
National Handicapped Financial and Development Corporation was set up in January 1997 as a nonprofit company. It channels funds to persons with disabilities through the state agencies.
Artificial Limbs Manufacture Corporation of India Limited (ALIMCO)
Artificial Limbs Manufacture Corporation of India Limited manufactures and supplies artificial limb components and other rehabilitation aids for the physically handicapped. It began production in 1976.
Office of the Chief Commissioner for Disabilities (OCCD)
Office of the Chief Commissioner for Disabilities was set up in 1995 to redress the grievances people with disabilities and ensure implementation of laws.
Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
Rehabilitation Council of India was set up in 1986 as a registered society. In 1992, the Parliament enacted the RCI Act and it was made a statutory body next year. This act was later amended to make it more broad-based. The main objective of RCI is to regulate and monitor the services provided to the persons with disabilities. It standardizes the syllabi and maintains a Central Rehabilitation Register for all qualified professionals and personnel who are working in the area of rehabilitation and special education.
National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities (National Trust)
Established in 1999, the National Trust works to ensure the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities. It also enables and empowers persons with disabilities to live as independently and as fully as possible while integrating them into the mainstream.
Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute for the Physically Handicapped
Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute for the Physically Handicapped was formed when the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and other allied institution run by the council for the aid of crippled & handicapped were taken over by the government of India in 1975. The following year they were converted into an autonomous body. In 2002, the name was changed to Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute for the Physically Handicapped. The Institute serves physically disabled people of all ages through various programs.
Dr. Shayama Prasad Mukherjee National Institute for Orthopedically Handicapped
Established in 1978, the institute trains physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orthotic and prosthetic experts, employment and placements officers and vocational counselors to work with people with loco-motor disability and the orthopedically handicapped. It conducts and sponsors research relating to rehabilitation of orthopedically handicapped. The institute was previously called National Institute for Orthopedically Handicapped
National Institute for Rehabilitation, Training and Research (NIRTAR)
National Institute for Rehabilitation, Training and Research was created as Directorate of Artificial Limbs Fitting Centre in1974 in New Delhi. Initially functioning under ALIMCO administrative control in February 1984, the institute split from ALIMCO and became the National Institute for Rehabilitation, Training and Research. Now located in Orissa, the institute sponsors and co-ordinates the training of doctors, engineers, prosthetics, prosthetic and orthotic technicians, physiotherapists and other professionals who rehabilitate the physically handicapped. It also conducts research, provides aids and appliances and promotes the use of ALIMCO products.
National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH)
National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped was set up in 1984 in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh. The institute focuses on human resource development, research and development, development of models of care and rehabilitation, consultancy services to voluntary organizations, community based rehabilitation, and outreach programs for the mentally disabled. The institute has regional centers in New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped (AYJNIHH)
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped was established in August 1983 in Mumbai. It has satellite offices in Kolkata, New Delhi, Secunderabad and Bhubaneswar. The institutes focuses on manpower development, research, educational programs, and community programs.
National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiply Disability (NIEPMD)
National Institute for Empowerment with Multiply Disability was set up in 2005 in Chennai. It serves as a national resource center for empowering citizens with two or more disabilities. The Institute develops manpower, conducts research, and provides services and outreach for people with multiple disabilities.
National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH)
National Institute for the Visually Handicapped came into form in 1979 after the upgrade of the National Institute for Blind. The institute promotes the rights and dignity of persons with visual impairment, conducts research and helps them find jobs.
National Institute for Social Defense (NISD)
National Institute for Social Defense, established in 1961, supports rehabilitation of citizens struggling with substance abuse. It also provides technical support to strengthen intervention programs like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.
A total of Rs. 5375 crore ($999.07 million USD) was allocated to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2011-12. From this, a major portion of Rs. 4616.50 crore ($858.08 million USD) was allocated to the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Castes. This included all money from the central government for the scheduled caste sub plan, post-matric scholarship scheme, pre-matric scholarship for children of those engaged in unclean population, pre-matric scholarship for SC students, establishing hostels, assistance to voluntary organizations for welfare of scheduled castes, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship, the Self Employment Scheme of Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers, Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana and other programs for the welfare of SCs.
The handicapped, drug addicted, elderly and other vulnerable populations received total allocation of Rs. 544 crore ($101.11 million USD). This included money sent to the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme, National Institutes for Blind, Deaf, Mentally Retarded and Orthopedically Handicapped, Schemes for implementation of Persons with Disability Act, Scheme of Employment of Physically Challenged, Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse, and assistance to voluntary organizations for Old Age Home among other schemes of social welfare.
Railways, Municipal Bodies Largest Employers of Manual Scavengers
Even as the Central Government has redoubled efforts to abolish manual scavenging, the Railways and Municipal bodies still remain the largest employer of manual scavengers. Despite 1993’s Manual Scavenging Act, which bans the practice, was about 750, 000 Indians continue to earn their living through cleaning other people’s latrines with their hands. The railways have openly flouted the rules and continue to do so. The central government has failed to tackle the situation. A bill to eliminate dry latrines, manual scavenging and rehabilitation of manual scavengers was introduced in the Lok Sabha in the monsoon session of 2012.
HC Takes Railways to Task for Employing Manual Scavengers (by Utkarsh Anand, Indian Express)
Rail Tracks Hurdle to Blanket Ban on Manual Scavenging (by Subodh Ghildiyal and Rajeev Deshpande, Times of India)
Quota for Promotions for SC/ST
As with many issues in India, the debate over reservations for Scheduled Caste/Schedules Tribes in government services (more commonly called the bureaucracy) comes down to vote bank politics between Uttar Pradesh’s two main parties: Mayawati’s Bahujan Samajwadi Party and the Samajwadi Party, whose leader Mulayam Singh Yadav just beat Mayawati to become UP’s Chief Minister. The Union cabinet has approved a proposal that will allow for reservation in promotions for Scheduled Casts/Scheduled Tribes in government jobs. The law would still maintain a policy of heavily recruiting both OBC’s and SC/ST’s but it would only set aside top positions for Scheduled Castes, who are commonly referred to as Dalits and Scheduled Tribes, commonly called Tribals. Being a Constitutional Amendment Bill, it needs to be passed with minimum two-thirds majority through both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Since the both the BSP and the SP are so-called outside supporters of the Congress Party’s UPA II coalition, Congress needs to tread lightly and keep both sides happy.
For Quota
Mayawati’s Bahujan Samajwadi Party, whose vote bank is mostly comprised of Dalits, is championing the passage of the bill. Advocates for Dalits argue that untouchables are still far disproportionately poorer than the vast majority of Indians. For Mayawati, it’s also a vote bank issue, as she wants to deliver the prospect of these jobs to her constituents.
SC/ST job promotions quota bill introduced in RS (Zee News Bureau)
Against Quota
The Samajwadi Party vehemently opposes this bill in India’s parliament. For the Samajwadi Party, whose vote bank is comprised of other backward classes or OBC’s it’s also a question of looking out for the rights of their supporters. Though OBC’s have gained some ground recently, India’s bureaucracy is still dominated by upper castes. Mulayam Singh Yadav is loath to support a measure that he feels will further marginalize his supporters.
SC/ST quota Bill fails the test (by Rajeev Dhavan, Mail Today)
Samajwadi Party opposes govt's plan to enable SC, ST promotion quota (by Nistula Hebbar, Economic Times)
Enforce Laws against Caste-Based Discrimination
Sixty-five years after India’s founding, shocking caste-based discrimination continues to persist. Separate wells in villages that Dalits are forced to drink from, vicious sexual violence perpetrated by upper castes to enforce their hegemony over the lower castes and thousands of honor killings often are carried out by relatives angered that a daughter would dare to marry someone from a lower caste. Perhaps most shockingly is such practices persist even among India’s educated elite. The government has failed to secure dignity of these groups even after introduction of a number of programs and schemes in this area. Most observers agree there is a yawning gulf between the laws and the enforcement of those laws. It was a sentiment best summed up by a report in the wake of the September meeting of International Movement Against All forms of Racism and Discrimination. “India has a strong range of constitutional provisions and laws that not only ban caste discrimination and “untouchability,” but have preventive measures on the discrimination and violence that erupts out of caste-based discrimination,” the report reads. “However, effective implementation remains a chronic problem.”
Govt. Teachers Force Dalit Kids to Clean Toilets (by D P Bhattacharya, India Today)
India: Another Dalit Suicide Highlights Discrimination (by Jason Overdorf, Global Post)
Even Doctors Face Caste Discrimination in Tamil Nadu (by Kumar Chellappan, DNA)
Statement of International Movement Against All forms of Racism and Discrimination (pdf)
Mukul Wasnik (2009-2012)
Mukul Wasnik was the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from May 2009 to September 2012. Wasnik was educated at Mount Carmel Convent, SFS High School, Hislop College and Department of Business Management of Nagpur University in Nagpur, Maharashtra. He is Master of Arts and Master of Business Administration. His father, Balkrishna Wasnik, was also a Congress leader who served as Member of Parliament for three terms.
Wasnik was active in student politics since his college days and held positions of General Secretary of Maharashtra State NSUI and later of President of All India NSUI. He has also served as President, Indian Youth Congress. He was first elected to Lok Sabha in 1984. He has been elected to Lok Sabha for four terms since then.
Wasnik is also serving as the General Secretary of All India Congress Committee. A member of the Indian National Congress, he currently represents the Ramtek constituency of Maharashtra. In the Cabinet, Wasnik has also held the positions of Union Minister of State, Human Resource Development (Department of Youth Affairs & Sports) and Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs.
Meira Kumar (2004 to 2009)
Meira Kumar served as the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2004 to 2009. She is a member of Indian National Congress and represents Sasaram constituency of Bihar. She currently holds the portfolio of Speaker of Lok Sabha. Kumar began her career in 1973 by joining the Indian Foreign Service. She entered politics in 1985 and has been elected to five terms of the Lok Sabha.
Satyanarayan Jatiya (November 1999 to September 2001)
Born in 1946 in Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya served as the Union Minister of Labour from November 1999 to September 2001. Jatiya completed his bachelors, masters and doctorate from MP’s Vikram University. He became a party secretary with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, a forerunner of the BJP. In 1977, he was elected to the Madhya Pradesh state
He was first elected to the Madhya Pradesh state legislative assembly in 1977. In 1980, the same year the Bharatiya Janata Party was founded, he entered the Lok Sabha.
Representing the Ujjain constituency of Madhya Pradesh, he has been elected to six terms of Lok Sabha and apart from Labour Minister, he’s held the portfolios of Union Minister of Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation and Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Comments