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                                                                                    Who are Scheduled Castes? What steps have been taken to safeguard the interest of SCs and STs?

Answer:

       

People who were formerly treated as untouchables in the society are called Scheduled Castes. The following steps have been taken by the government to implement the Constitution provisions for safe guarding the interests of SCs and STs:

(i) Jobs in the government are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

(ii) Seats are reserved for SCs and STs in educational institutions.

(iii) Some constituencies of Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies are reserved for the SC and ST candidates. In such constituencies, only an SC or ST candidate can contest the elections.

(iv) Provisions have been made for various competitive examinations to improve the representation of SCs and STs in various services.

(v) Book banks have been provided to SC and ST students aspiring for engineering and medical courses.

(vi) Scholarship and grants for higher education from abroad are also given.

(vii) Hostel facility for SC and ST girls studying in schools, colleges and universities have been given. Most of the above provisions are common to both/ the SC and ST people.