(a) whether the Government has taken note that the Scheduled Castes (SCs) belonging to
various religions are still suffering from social, educational and financial
disabilities; and
(b) if so, the action taken by the Government to uplift the Scheduled Castes belonging
to all religions?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI P. BALRAM NAIK)
(a) & (b) The criteria followed for drawing the list of Scheduled Castes (SCs) is social,
educational and economic backwardness arising out of traditional practice of
untouchability. As per provisions of Article 341(1) of the Constitution, specification
of caste etc. as a SC is in relation to a State/Union Territory. In view of Article 341(2)
of the Constitution, any amendment in the list of SCs can be done only by an Act of
Parliament. Six Presidential Orders, were issued between 1950 and 1978, for specifying
SCs in respect of various States/ Union Territories, and amended from time to time, by
Acts of Parliament. The existing para in each of the amended six Presidential Orders is
as under:-
`No person who professes a religion different from the Hindu, the Sikh or the Buddhist
religion shall be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste`.
This Ministry is implementing several Schemes for educational and economic development,
and social empowerment of all SCs, in accordance with the provisions of such Schemes.