Both the central and state governments in India have implemented various welfare schemes aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable sections of the population. These schemes target marginalized groups such as women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and socially and economically disadvantaged communities. Here are some key welfare schemes along with mechanisms, laws, institutions, and bodies constituted for their protection and betterment:
1. Women and Children
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Aims to address the declining child sex ratio and promote the education and empowerment of girls.
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): Provides financial assistance to pregnant and lactating mothers for improved health and nutrition.
Mechanisms and Institutions:
- National Commission for Women (NCW): Established to protect and promote the interests of women, address grievances, and recommend measures for their welfare.
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Provides a range of services including supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-ups, and pre-school education to children under 6 years of age and their mothers.
2. Elderly
- National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS): Provides financial assistance to elderly individuals living below the poverty line.
- Annapurna Scheme: Provides food security to senior citizens who are not covered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme.
Mechanisms and Institutions:
- National Council for Older Persons (NCOP): Formulated to advise the government on policies and programs for the elderly and monitor their implementation.
3. Persons with Disabilities (PWD)
- Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan): Aims to make public infrastructure accessible for persons with disabilities.
- Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY): Seeks to develop model villages for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Mechanisms and Institutions:
- Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD): Formulates policies, programs, and initiatives for the empowerment and welfare of persons with disabilities.
4. Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs)
- Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students: Provides financial assistance to SC students pursuing post-matriculation studies.
- Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST Students: Aims to improve participation of ST students in pre-matric stages of education.
Mechanisms and Institutions:
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC): Established to safeguard the interests of SCs and ensure their welfare through the protection of their rights and safeguards provided in the Constitution.
5. Rural and Agricultural Communities
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Guarantees 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to rural households.
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): Aims to provide affordable housing to the urban poor.
Mechanisms and Institutions:
- Ministry of Rural Development: Responsible for the formulation and implementation of programs and policies for rural development, including MGNREGA.
- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD): Provides credit and financial support for the promotion of agriculture and rural development.
6. Minorities
- Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP): Aimed at improving infrastructure and living conditions in minority-concentrated areas.
- National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC): Provides concessional finance for self-employment ventures to minority communities.
Mechanisms and Institutions:
- Ministry of Minority Affairs: Formulates policies and programs for the development and welfare of minority communities, including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Parsis.
7. Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions, and Bodies for Protection and Betterment
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: Provides for the prevention of atrocities against SCs and STs and the protection of their rights.
- National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): Established to protect and promote human rights in India, including those of vulnerable sections of society.
- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): Protects the rights and interests of STs and ensures their socio-economic development.
Performance Evaluation of Welfare Schemes
- Coverage and Reach: Assessing the extent to which schemes reach the intended beneficiaries.
- Impact and Outcomes: Evaluating the effectiveness of schemes in improving the lives and socio-economic status of vulnerable sections.
- Efficiency and Transparency: Analyzing the efficiency of implementation and transparency in the delivery of benefits.
- Sustainability and Continuity: Ensuring the sustainability and continuity of schemes beyond short-term objectives.
