Laws for the Development and Betterment of Vulnerable Sections in Detail

At varying intervals, the different levels of the Indian government will roll out new social welfare programs catered to specific demographic groups within the country’s population. There are laws for the development and betterment of vulnerable sections. These plans might be centralised, designed for each state, or established through a partnership between the Centre and the different states. Since India is often described as a welfare state, the Supreme Court of India concluded that it would be appropriate to include the phrase “welfare state” in the basic structure. There is a connection between political activities geared toward development and welfare programs.

What are Vulnerable Sections and Their Meaning?

Every concerned citizen must be aware of these projects’ existence since they are crucial to the resolution of various socio-economic issues that plague Indian society. These problems have been plaguing Indian culture for a long time. Because the vulnerable population is more likely to face poverty and social isolation than the general population, these programs need to target those who fall into the vulnerable population group.

Vulnerable groups are at risk of being affected by both poverty and social isolation. The word “vulnerability” is best conveyed when it is understood in the phrase “proclivity to injury or damage generated by external forces.” Similarly, vulnerable groups are those subgroups of the population that are statistically more likely to be impoverished and socially isolated than the overall population. Two of the reasons that may lead to an increase in social isolation include having a low education level and being unemployed or underemployed. 

Other contributors include those from underrepresented groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities, migrants, people with disabilities, the unhoused, those struggling with drug addiction, older people living alone, and young people.

To put it more succinctly, vulnerable groups are those subsets of the population that are more likely to suffer due to an unjust or flawed system. This could refer to a flaw in the social, political, cultural, economic, physical, family structure, or environmental design, or it could refer to any other factor that affects these groups. Regardless of the element, vulnerable groups are more likely to suffer. The term “vulnerable groups” may be subdivided into several different categories.

In India, those who are considered to be members of vulnerable groups include, but are not limited to: children, women, members of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, other members of backward classes, minorities, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, members of LGBT communities, and anyone who is living in poverty.

Constitutional Provisions for Vulnerable Sections

When examining constitutional provisions for vulnerable sections that apply to sensitive parts, it is possible to consider two distinct points of view.

• Constitutional Regulations
• Statutory Regulations

The Constitution includes protections for a wide array of marginalised groups and individuals.

• Specific constitutional provisions shield vulnerable people from harm (common to all). Other limits exist, some of which only apply to certain total aspects.
• Provisions in the Constitution relating to questions of social justice and, more generally, individual autonomy.
• Article 23 clarifies that the trade of people for work and forced labour are prohibited.
• Restrictions on employing minors in jobs that risk their health and safety (Article 24).
• The next part, Article 37, will discuss implementing the concepts stated in this section (DPSP).
• According to Article 38, the state must preserve social order to promote the people’s well-being.
• Article 39 of the Constitution mentions that the state must adhere to various policy principles.
• Under Article 39A, the right to equal justice and unrestricted access to legal counsel is protected.

The development of disadvantaged groups’ educational and economic interests, such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and any other groups excluded from mainstream society, is required under Article 46 of the Indian Constitution.

Constitutional Provisions Relating to Children

The following are the constitutional provisions relating to children:

• Children have the right to get an education up to 14, as outlined in Article 19 A of the Constitution. As a direct result of this, the state is obligated to provide children with the opportunity to participate in educational activities.
• Specifically references Article 45 and requests that the state fulfil its obligation to offer early childhood education and care for children up to six.
• It is against the law to use children under 14 years old in potentially dangerous activities or procedures, as stated in Article 24 of the Convention on the Child’s Rights. The labour done in places like hotels, restaurants, and houses has just been added to the list of tasks that might be harmful.

Vulnerable Sections Provisions Already Incorporated into Statutes

• The Act to Establish the National Commission for Backward Classes was signed into law in 1993 and directed at the backward castes and classes.
• The Rehabilitation Council of India Act, enacted in 1992, emphasises aiding those with various impairments.
•  Congress approved the Social Defence Act to protect senior citizens’ and parents’ financial stability and welfare.
• The Dowry Prohibition Act was enacted as legislation in 2005 to protect women from being subjected to domestic violence.

Conclusion

The potential for human development can only be realised when all of those qualified enjoy the laws for the development and betterment of vulnerable sections. The country’s public expenditure management is handled unprofessionally, and its budget is fragmented, both of which are impediments to achieving the goals of reducing poverty. Even though the country is transitioning into an economy based on knowledge, the country’s public expenditure management is handled in an unprofessional manner. Because of these obstacles, the nation cannot advance its social infrastructure by spending more money on areas like health and education.