Empowerment of Weaker Sections in India

In India, certain sections of population, viz, the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, the other backward classes, and the minorities have been historically at a disadvantag. These sections have been facing educational, social, economic and political backwardness since long. Therefore, the Constitution of India has made elaborate arrangements to not only to protect the interests of the weaker sections but also to provide them packages of affirmative action. However, with the changing politico-economic scenario swayed by the policies of liberalization, privatization and globalization, the welfare orientation of Indian polity is being diluted. In a democracy, economic progress has to be achieved along with distributive justice. The widening rich-poor gap is a matter of worry. Hence, the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) placed special emphasis on inclusive development.