Indian society is highly stratified with many glaring inequalities among the different social groups. The caste system has segregated the Dalits and other weaker sections from the rest of the society to an extent that they were denied even the basic human rights. Interestingly, the absence of freedom of occupation, low earnings, implicit restriction on needs and stigma on menial labour destroyed the economy of lower castes particularly Scheduled Castes. As a result, Scheduled Castes remained socially outcastes, economically dependent, politically powerless and culturally backward. The affirmative action adopted by the central and state governments has insured the demolition of inequality through providing reservation in education and employment as well as implementation of Special Component Plan for their development. Against this backdrop, present book highlights the socio-economic status of Scheduled Castes, funding of Special Component Plan and participation of Scheduled Castes beneficiaries in the projects of minor irrigation, land based activities, village and cottage industry and service sector. It is hoped that the book will provide useful insights to the policy makers, planners, academicians and scholars as well as who are interested in this field.
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