Vulnerable groups are the groups which would be vulnerable under any circumstances (e.g.
where the adults are unable to provide an adequate livelihood for the household for reasons of
disability, illness, age or some other characteristic), and groups whose resource endowment is
inadequate to provide sufficient income from any available source.
In India there are multiple socio-economic disadvantages that members of particular groups
experience which limits their access to health and healthcare. The task of identifying the
vulnerable groups is not an easy one. Besides there are multiple and complex factors of
vulnerability with different layers and more often than once it cannot be analysed in isolation.
The present document is based on some of the prominent factors on the basis of which
individuals or members of groups are discriminated in India, i.e., structural factors, age,
disability and discrimination that act as barriers to health and healthcare. The vulnerable
groups that face discrimination include- Women, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes
(ST), Children, Aged, Disabled, Poor migrants, People living with HIV/AIDS and Sexual
Minorities. Sometimes each group faces multiple barriers due to their multiple identities. For
example, in a patriarchal society, disabled women face double discrimination of being a
women and being disabled.
Vulnerable Groups Facing Structural Discrimination (Women, Scheduled Castes,
Dalits, Scheduled Tribes)
What are weaker sections?
SCs/STs
Due to the caste system prevailing in India, the sudras have been exploited for the ages. They
were denied the right to education and thus were left languishing behind, socially and
economically. Such people have been categorized into Scheduled Castes. Tribal
communities, who never mixed with the main society, are similarly challenged and are
categorized into Scheduled Tribes.
Backward Classes
The constitution does not define the term backward classes. It is up to the center and the
states to specify the classes that belong to this group. However, it is understood that classes
that are not represented adequately in the services of the state can be termed backward
classes. Further, the President can, under Art. 340, can constitute a commission to investigate
the condition of socially and educationally backward classes. Based on this report, the
president may specify the backward classes.
Structural norms are attached to the different relationships between the subordinate and the
dominant group in every society. A group’s status may for example, be determined on the
basis of gender, ethnic origin, skin colour, etc. The norms act as structural barriers giving rise
to various forms of inequality. Access to health and healthcare for the subordinate groups is
reduced due to the structural barriers.
Art. 340: Allows the president to appoint a commission to investigate the condition of
socially and economically backward classes and table the report in the parliament.
Constitutional Provisions for Women
Art. 15(3): It allows the state to make special provisions for women and children. Several
acts such as Dowry Prevention Act have been passed including the most recent one of
Protection of women from domestic violence Act 2005.
Art. 23: Under the fundamental right against exploitation, flesh trade has been banned.
Art. 39: Ensures equal pay to women for equal work.
In the case of Randhir Singh vs Union of India, SC held that the concept of equal pay for
equal work is indeed a constitutional goal and is capable of being enforced through
constitutional remedies under Art. 32.
Art. 40: Provides 1/3 reservation in panchayat.
Art. 42: Provides free pregnancy care and delivery.
Art. 44: It urges the state to implement uniform civil code, which will help improve the
condition of women across all religions. It has, however, not been implemented due to
politics. In the case of Sarla Mudgal vs Union of India, SC has held that in Indian Republic
there is to be only one nation i.e. Indian nation and no community could claim to be a
separate entity on the basis of religion. There is a plan to provide reservation to women in
parliament as well.
SCHEDULED CASTES/TRIBES WELFARE SCHEMES-
NGOs Schemes-
· Scheme of Grant in Aid to Voluntary Organisations working for Scheduled Castes
Ministry’s Schemes-
·
Central Sector Scheme of 'Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship' for Providing
Scholarships to Scheduled Caste Students to persue Programmes in Higher Education
such as M.Phil and Ph.D (Effective from 01-04-2010)
Interviews for final Selection of awardees under the Scheme of National Overseas
Scholarship for SC etc. Candidates for the Selection Year 2009-10.
Centrally-sponsored Pilot Scheme of PRADHAN MANTRI ADARSH GRAM
YOJANA (PMAGY)
State, District and Block wise abstract of villages selected under PMAGY
Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (Letter, Annexures, and National Allocation
for 2009-10)
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students
Pre-Matric Scholarships for the Children of those Engaged in Unclean Occupations
Central Sector Scholarship Scheme of Top Class Education for SC Students
(Effective from June 2007)
Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers
National Overseas Scholarships for Scheduled Castes (SC) etc. Candidates for
Selection Year 2010-2011
Form for the Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for SC etc. Candidates for the
Selection Year 2010-11.
Special Educational Development Programme for Scheduled Castes Girls belonging
to low Literacy Levels
Upgradation of Merit of SC Students
Scheme of free Coaching for SC and OBC Students
National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC)
National Safaikaramcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
Assistance to Scheduled Castes Development Corporations (SCDCs)
Supporting Project of All India Nature of SCs
National Comission for Safai Karamcharis
The major schemes/programme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs are-
Special Central Assistance & Grants Under Article 275(1) Of The Constitution
Scheme Of Development of Primitive Tribal Groups(Ptgs)
Tribal Research Institutes
Girls / Boys Hostels for Students
Ashram Schools In Tribal Sub-Plan Areas
Vocational Trainig Centres in Tribal Areas
Grants-in-aid to State Tribal Development Cooperative Corporations and others
Village Grain Bank Scheme
Major schemes for Women-
Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY)
Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)
Swadhar Yojna
STEP (Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women) (20th October
2005)
Stree Shakti Puraskaar Yojna
Short Stay Home For Women and Girls (SSH)
UJJAWALA : A Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of trafficking and Rescue,
Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Victims of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual
Exploitation
General Grant-in-Aid Scheme in the field of Women and Child Development.
Status of Orphans/ Street Children in India
Street children are those for whom the street more than their family has become their real
home, a situation in which there is no protection, supervision, or direction from responsible
adults. Human Rights Watch estimates that approximately 18 million children live or work on
the streets of India. Majority of these children are involved in crime, prostitution, gang
related violence and drug trafficking.
·India is the world’s largest democracy with a population of over a billion-400 million of
which are children.
Approximately 26% of the Indian population lives below the poverty line and 72 % live in
rural areas.
Even though the percentage of the Indian population infected with HIV/AIDS is 0.9%, (5) it
has the second largest number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in the world, the first being
South Africa.
Despite the many recorded gains in the recent past, issues such as gender inequity, poverty,
illiteracy and the lack of basic infrastructure play an important role in hindering HIV/ AIDS
prevention and treatment programs in India. The impact of the AIDS crisis has not begun to
fully emerge in India and AIDS related orphaning has not been documented.
Yet, it is estimated that India has the largest number of AIDS orphans of any country and this
number is expected to double in the next five years.Out of the 55,764 identified AIDS cases
in India 2,112 are children.
It is estimated that 14% of the 4.2 million HIV/AIDS cases are children below the age of 14.
A study conducted by the ILO found that children of infected parents are heavily
discriminated-35% were denied basic amenities and 17% were forced to take up petty jobs to
augment their income.
Child labor in India is a complex problem and is rooted in poverty.
Census 1991 data suggests that there are 11.28 million working children in India.
Over 85% of this child labor is in the country’s rural areas and this number has risen in the
past decade.
Conservative estimates state that around 300, 000 children in India are engaged in
commercial sex. Child prostitution is socially acceptable in some sections of Indian society
through the practice of Devadasi. Young girls from socially disadvantaged communities are
given to the 'gods' and they become a religious prostitute. Devadasi is banned by the
Prohibition of Dedication Act of 1982. This system is prevalent in Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka,Tamil Nadu,Kerala, Maharashtra,Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Assam. More than 50
% of the devadasis become prostitutes: of which nearly 40 per cent join the sex trade in urban
brothels and the rest are involved in prostitution in their respective villages. According to the
National Commission on Women an estimated 250,000 women have been dedicated as
Devadasis in Maharashtra-Karnataka border. A study conducted in 1993 reported that 9% of
the devadasis are HIV positive in Belgaum district in Karnataka.
Schemes for children
The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)
National Awards For Child Welfare
National Child Awards For Exceptional Achievements
Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award For Service To Children
Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY)
Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY)
Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG)
Early Childhood Education for 3-6 Age Group Children Under the Programme of
Universaliation of Elementary Education.
Scheme for welfare of Working Children in need of Care and Protection
Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA)
Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme For the Children of Working Mothers
UJJAWALA : A Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of trafficking and Rescue,
Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Victims of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual
Exploitation
General Grant-in-Aid Scheme in the field of Women and Child Development.
Constitutional Provisions for children
Art. 19 A: Education up to 14 yrs has been made a fundamental right. Thus, the state is
required to provide school education to children.
In the case of Unni Krishnan vs State of AP, SC held that right to education for children
between 6 to 14 yrs of age is a fundamental right as it flows from Right to Life. After this
decision, education was made a fundamental right explicitly through 86th amendment in
2002.
Art. 24: Children have a fundamental right against exploitation and it is prohibited to employ
children below 14 yrs of age in factories and any hazardous processes. Recently the list of
hazardous processes has been update to include domestic, hotel, and restaurant work.
Several PILs have been filed in the benefit of children. For example, MC Mehta vs State of
TN, SC has held that children cannot be employed in match factories or which are directly
connected with the process as it is hazardous for the children.
In the case of Lakshmi Kant Pandey vs Union of India, J Bhagvati has laid down guidelines
for adoption of Indian children by foreigners.
Art. 45: Urges the state to provide early childhood care and education for children up to 6 yrs
of age.
Age, and high levels of economic dependence and/or disability combine to create high levels
of vulnerability to chronic poverty. While old age pension schemes are in place neither the
small amounts made available nor the hassle of accessing them make this a solution to the
problem of chronic poverty among the elderly. With the high incidence of chronic ailments
and health care needs of the elderly, declining family size, migration and breakdown of
traditional family structures that provided support, this group of the population is extremely
vulnerable to poverty.
The 1991 census showed that approximately 7.6% of India's rural and 6.3% of India's urban
population was above the age of 60. 7.8% males and 7.4% females in rural and 6.2% males
and 6.6% females in urban areas were in the category of the aged. The proportion of old-old
(70 plus) in India is expected to increase from 2.40 percent in 1991 to 3.75 percent by 2021.
The total number of elderly persons in India is projected to increase to 136 million by 2021
from the current level of 55 million in 1991. This has significant implications for social
security policies.
The NSS data show that in both rural and urban areas, roughly 50% of aged persons were
fully dependent on others, 13 to 16 % were partially dependent and only 30% were
economically independent. Economic independence was far greater among males than among
females. Close to half the elderly males and only 12% of elderly females were economically
independent. In contrast, more than 70% of older females and only about 30% of older males
were fully dependent on others. High levels of economic dependence at low household
income levels mean that meager resources need to be stretched thinner and thereby increase
vulnerability to poverty of physically and financially dependent older persons. Inadequate
financial resources are a major concern of the Indian elderly (Desai 1985 cited in Rajan et.
al., 2000) and more so among the female elderly (Dak and Sharma 1987 cited in Rajan et. al.,
2000). In many situations, the rural elderly continue to work though their number of working
hours comes down with increasing age (Singh, Singh and Sharma 1987 cited in Rajan
et.al.,2000). Financial problems are more common among widows and among the elderly in
nuclear families. Economic insecurity was the sole concern of the elderly in barely
sustainable households in rural India (Punia and Sharma 1987 cited in Rajan et. al.,2000).
Constitutional provisions for aged-
In Constitution of India, entry 24 in list III of Schedule IV deals with the “Welfare of Labour,
including conditions of work, provident funds, liability for workmen’s compensations,
invalidity and Old age pension and maternity benefits.
Further, Item No. 9 of the State List and Item No. 20, 23 and 24 of the Concurrent List relates
to old age pension, social security and social insurance, and economic and social planning.
Article 41 of the Directive Principle of the State Policy has particular relevance to Old Age
Social Security. According to thisArticle, “the State shall, within the limits of its economic
capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to
education and to public assistance in case of undeserved want.”
Schemes for aged-
Major scheme-
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th
August, 1995 represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the Directive Principles
in Article 41 and 42 of the Constitution. It introduces a National Policy for Social Assistance
benefit to poor households in the case of old age, death of primary bread-winner and
maternity. The Programme has three components, namely:-
* National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS)
* National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
* National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS)
These Schemes were partially modified in 1998 based on the suggestions received from
various corners and also on the basis of the feedback received from the State Governments.
Other schemes-
Technology Interventions for Elderly (TIE) Concessions and Other incentives
Programme for Older Persons Insurance Policies and Benefits
Annapurna Scheme Mediclaim/Health Insurance
Free Legal Aids National Policy on Older Person
Rebates Health Facilities
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
According to the Census 2001, there are 2.19 crore people with disabilities in India who
constitute 2.13 per cent of the total population. This includes persons with visual, hearing,
speech, locomotor and mental disabilities.Seventy five per cent of persons with disabilities
live in rural areas, 49 per cent of disabled population is literate and only 34 per cent are
employed. The earlier emphasis on medical rehabilitation has now been replaced by an
emphasis on social rehabilitation. The Disability Division in the Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment facilitates empowerment of the persons with disabilities.
Disability data as per National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) 2002
Disability Percentage Among Total Population
Movement 51%
Seeing 14%
Hearing 15%
Speech 10%
Mental 10%
Source: National Sample Survey Organisation 2002
