Day 63 – Q 1. Do you think reservation in education institutions and public employment has improved socio – economic condition of SC/STs? What measures can be taken to improve the social mobility of these vulnerable sections?
1. Do you think reservation in education institutions and public employment has improved socio – economic condition of SC/STs? What measures can be taken to improve the social mobility of these vulnerable sections?
Introduction
India is unique in the world in that reservation policies address historically disadvantaged groups, defined primarily by a caste system (most other countries base it on ethnicity, religion, language, gender or sexual preference).
Body
Improvements in socio-economic conditions of SCs and STs;
Improvement in Literacy rates: According to census report 2011, literacy rate among ST improved from 47.10% in 2001 to 58.96% in 2011. Similarly for SCs, improvement is from 34.76% in 2001 to 66.10% in 2011.
Improved representation: Hitherto marginalised communities are now part of administration and decision making. Their participation in educational institutions and public employment substantially improved.
Improvement in soci-economic indicators: Studies, surveys and census data shows consistent improvement in life expectancy and health indicators of mentioned communities. Also there is substantial reduction in poverty of the communities.
Empowerment: Reservation policy mandated the admission of SC and ST students on educational institutions. It made the communities more empowered and vocal to fight for their rights.
Awareness: There is general awareness among the members of the community about their rights and legal protections. Awareness itself is a great tool for march towards freedom and egalitarian society.
Still miles to go…
- According to AISHE report 2017-18 Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher education for Scheduled Castes is 21.8% and for Scheduled Tribes, it is 15.9% as compared to the national GER of 25.8%.
- Similarly, though share of SCs and STs in government services and salaried employment increased but still they are rarely found in top posts of government and private institutions.
- There are people from SC and ST community who are economically empowered and improved their standard of living they continue to face social discrimination which is still deeply rooted in Indian society.
- A so called “upper caste” patient refused to get treatment from an SC doctor, such incidences show the slow pace of social mobility of SCs and STs.
- There is formation of “creamy layer” in SCs and STs who take most of the reservation benefits, actual deserving members of the community residing somewhere in rural India or slum of urban areas are not able to enjoy the benefits of policy.
Measures to improve social mobility of SCs and STs:
- Education communication and information (EIC) are the best tools to bring a social change. There should be behavioral change that all human being deserve equal treatment mainly because of their common ‘humanity’.
- Inter-caste marriages should be promoted to break the age-old barriers of caste and creed. The liquidity among social strata will automatically eliminate social discrimination.
- Stringent implementation of Schedule Caste and Schedule tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act; Legal protection will help these communities to fearlessly establish themselves as equals.
- Creamy layer concept can be introduced, as suggested by Supreme Court, to make reservation benefits reach to those who actually deserve it.
- Initiatives like Standup India should also be specifically focused, because social and economic mobility goes hand in hand.
Conclusion
Over the years, much progress has been made in Independent India. Millions of people have risen from extreme poverty, fewer are malnourished, people expect to live longer and more children go to school than ever before. Still, Many challenges remain, and exclusion—can be called inequality, or lack of opportunity or merely a continuation of basic deprivation —has led to political debates and upheavals. But there is need of ‘will’ of leaders as well as members of the society to end this menace of social discrimination.
Best Answer: Iron Man
