Social Welfare: Concept,

UNIT 9 SOCIAL WELFARE: CONCEPT, Approaches and Policies

APPROACHES AND POLICIES*

Structure
9.0 Objectives
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Concept of Social Welfare
9.3 Approaches to Social Welfare
9.3.1 Family-centric Approach
9.3.2 Residual Perspective
9.3.3 Mixed-Economy Approach
9.3.4 Institutional Approach
9.4 Social Welfare Policies
9.4.1 Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs & STs)
9.4.2 Welfare of Scheduled Tribes
9.4.3 Welfare of Other Backward Classes
9.4.4 Welfare of Persons with Disabilities
9.4.5 National Policy for Older Persons
9.4.6 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Policy
9.4.7 Welfare Measures for the Minorities
9.4.8 Women and Child Development
9.4.9 National Policy for Women
9.4.10 Policies and Programmes for the Welfare of Children
9.5 Conclusion
9.6 Glossary
9.7 References
9.8 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

9.0 OBJECTIVES
After reading this Unit, you should be able to:
Understand the concept and importance of social welfare;
Describe the constitutional provisions with regard to weaker sections of
society in India; and
Evaluate the main polices and legislation relating to women and children in
India.

9.1 INTRODUCTION
India, like many other countries, is a committed to the welfare of its people. The
Constitution of India - - through its Preamble, the provisions on Fundamental
Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy - - and several central and state
legislations and national policies seek to provide to the people of India a wide
range of services to meet their social, economic, and educational and health
needs.
* Contributed by Dr. R.K. Sapru, Professor of Public Administration (Retired), Panjab University,
Chandigarh 119
Social Welfare Though law and order and tax collection have been the primary functions of the
Administrations
state social welfare has become its major responsibility in the 20th and 21
centuries, especially in democratic countries. Indeed, the modern state has
assumed the role of an agent of social-economic change. The necessity for the
state to assume a dominant role in welfare field was recognised in the First Five-
Year Plan, which pronounced: “As the social structure becomes more complex,
the state is called upon to play an increasing role providing service for the welfare
of the people”. In fact, this welfare function absorbs a steadily growing share of
the resources of the state. It is, therefore, important for the government to meet
basic needs of individuals, especially the weaker sections of society.

9.2 CONCEPT OF SOCIAL WELFARE

The concept of social welfare in theoretical and operational terms has a long
tradition in India. All the ancient religious scriptures of India - - the Vedas, the
Sutras, the Epics, the Smrities and the Dharma Shastras - -contain verses, slokas
and extensive references which emphasise provision of welfare facilities by the
state, the community and wealthy persons to the needy individuals and families.
The emphasis is on the well-being of the entire society.

The concept of social welfare and its scope of operation vary from country to
country, depending upon their stage of historical development, the degree of
prominence given to development and welfare goals and the evolution of state
structures for delivery of services. Encyclopaedia Britannica defines social welfare
as a system of laws and institutions through which a government attempts to
protect and promote the economic and social welfare of its citizens, usually based
on various forms of social insurance against unemployment, accident, illness
and old age. According to Friedlander social welfare consists of the organised
services and institutions, designed to aid individuals and groups to attain satisfying
standards of life and health, and personal and social relationships which permit
them to develop their full capacities and to promote their well-being in harmony
with the needs of their families and the community (Friedlandar, 1967).

Wayne Vasey notes that social welfare includes two main characteristics – (a)
the utilisation of welfare measures to support or strengthen the family as a basic
social institution through which needs are met, and (b) the intent to strengthen
the individual’s capacity to cope with his life situation (Vasey, 1958).

According to a document prepared by the United Nations on “Social Welfare

Planning in the context of National Development Plans”, Social Welfare is “a
body of organised activities which are basically meant to enable individuals,
groups and communities to improve their own situation, adjust to changing
conditions and participate in the tasks of development.” Some of the social welfare
activities are meant to enable local citizens to participate in self-help projects
and help to create social climate that is an essential condition of development.
Some other activities are aimed more directly at helping vulnerable groups or
categories of people to attain the minimum social standards (Gore and Khandekar,
1975).

To Heywood, social welfare promotes the economic well-being of the individuals

with fulfilment of the basic needs necessary for a healthy life. Heywood puts
forward following reasons for strengthening of the social welfare system:
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1) It promotes social cohesion and national unity, in that it gives all citizens a Social Welfare: Concept,
Approaches and Policies
‘stake’ in society and guarantees at least some basic social support.
2) It enlarges freedom in the sense that it safeguards people from poverty and
provides conditions in which they can develop and realise their potential.
3) It ensures prosperity by countering the effects of social deprivation and
helping those who cannot help themselves.
4) It serves as a redistributive mechanism that promotes greater equality and
strengthens a sense of social responsibility (Heywood, 2005).

9.3 APPROACHES TO SOCIAL WELFARE

Approach implies a structured institutional response or a framework for policy.
Each developed and developing country has its own approach and system of
social welfare policies and programmes. Their welfare system reflects, by and
large, the values and beliefs about how people’s welfare can best be advanced.

We may broadly classify the social welfare approaches as follows: 1. Family-

centric approach, 2. Residual perspective, 3. Mixed-economy approach, and 4.
Institutional approach.

9.3.1 Family-centric Approach

This is perhaps the oldest approach in which the family plays an active role in
social welfare provision. Strong familial bonds tend to be an important source of
social capital. For example, in taking care of the children, the aged and disabled,
family as a whole has acritical role. In India as well as in an advanced country
like England, family structure is still regarded as strong, and several social needs
that are elsewhere met by government programmes are still met by the family. In
many countries of Asia the joint family continues to be the main support for
economic security, especially of the unemployed children and older family
members. The family is, therefore, perceived by policy analysts as a significant
point for intervention.

This approach is based on conventional wisdom as well as sound sociological

theory. Strong family bonds are considered as the source of sustainable social
support. Public policy analysts, therefore, perceive the family to be a point of
intervention by the state both for meeting the welfare needs and for curbing
social ills,

But the family approach has some limitations. One of them is the near extinction
of the extended family system, more so in the urban areas. Secondly, it does not
look at the role of gender in the family. Thirdly, there are financial and spatial
issues, which constrain universalistic reliance on the family approach.

9.3.2 Residual Perspective

The residual approach conceives of welfare provision by government as the last
resort. It is based on the idea that people can resolve the problems themselves.
The needy can find support through the family, the market (insurance in particular)
or non-governmental organisations. Government would step in only when the
needy are unable to resolve their problems. In this context, public provision is
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Social Welfare made for the residue of the poor only; sick, unemployed, the order people and
Administrations
the other needy.

The residual approach is followed in a few countries only. It suffers from many
limitations; chief among them is the ‘means’ or eligibility test. Fulfilling the
residency requirements becomes problematic for the beneficiaries if the schemes
are intended for the residents of a given state or ‘territory’ in a federal system.
The residual approach does not also touch issues like housing shortage. In this
approach, the benefits for the needy are very few and even the eligible recipients
get discouraged to go after them.

9.3.3 Mixed-Economy Approach

In some countries, including England and Germany, a mixed-economy approach
has been adopted in some areas of social welfare. For example, the German
Social Insurance System has provided a very successful forum for cooperation
between government, social administrators, banks, insurance firms, and individual
entrepreneurs. In such a system insurance benefits, linked to individual earnings,
cover the bulk of material needs.

In this model, public and private sectors come together in managing welfare
policies in a more efficient manner than in a bureaucracy-centric operation.
However, a major limitation of this approach is that public-private partnerships
do not operate in many countries in the best possible manner.

9.3.4 Institutional Approach

It is a normative approach, It is based on the belief that social welfare can best be
promoted though collective action and the pooling of resources. Welfare is
provided, according to this approach, for the population as a whole, in the same
way as public services like roads or schools might be. It may also be described
as a fully saturated model. For example, instead of restricting public health
coverage to specifc social groups belonging to the weaker sections the coverage
of the programme is made universal in this model.

The institutional approach appears to be elegant, but many people would not
extend support to this approach and pool their resources, just as the way they do
for community works. In practice, the institutional approach to social welfare,
therefore, lacks adequate public support, except in the spheres of education and
health.
Check Your Progress 1
Note: i) Use the space given below for your answers.
ii) Check your answers with those given at the end of the Unit.
1) Define the concept of social welfare and discuss its significance.
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2) Examine various approaches to social welfare. Social Welfare: Concept,
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9.4 SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES

In the Indian context, social welfare policy comprises central and state policies
based on legislative enactments. These help people (especially those belonging
to the weaker sections of the community) in meeting their social, economic,
educational and health needs. It is generally noted that the term ‘social welfare’
has been used in a restricted sense. Social Welfare policies are applied to socially
underprivileged groups – scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, denotified
communities, orphans, widows, unmarried mothers, women in moral danger,
aged and infirm, women and children, socially maladjusted, beggars, prostitutes,
delinquent, physically and mentally disabled, diseased, mentally retarded or ill
and economically backward among upper castes, destitute and unemployed. For
such groups social welfare programmes are necessary as they help to ameliorate
their distress.

9.4.1 Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

(SCs & STs)
The Constitution contains several provisions in the nature of safeguards for the
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The following two Acts specifically
aim at curbing (i) untouchability and (ii) atrocities against SCs and STs, and are,
therefore, very important for their social uplift.

The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: This Act was enacted in pursuance of
Article 17 of the Constitution of India under Fundamental Rights. The Act extends
to the whole of India and is implemented by the state governments and union
territories.

The Act and the Rules framed under it prescribe the scale of punishments for
various categories of offences relating to the propagation or practice of
untouchability in any form. The punishments invariably include a prison term
and fine. Any person who justifies, whether on historical, philosophical, cultural
or religious grounds or any other ground, the practice of untouchability in any
form shall be considered as an offender. Repeaters of the offence shall get more
stringent punishments.

i) The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (prevention of Atrocities)

Act, 1989, also called the PoA Act, came into force in 1990. This legislation
aims at preventing commission of offences by persons other than scheduled
castes and scheduled tribes against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
Comprehensive rules under this Act, inter-alia, provide norms for relief and
rehabilitation of the victims from SCs & STs.

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Social Welfare ii) National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes: In addition
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to these two Acts, the National Commission for SCs and STs (NCSC) which
was set up under Article 383 of the Constitution in 1990 was bifurcated into
two Commissions, namely, National Commission for Scheduled Castes and
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes after the 89th Constitutional
(Amendment) Act, 2003. These two Commissions are responsible for
monitoring the safeguards provided for SCs & STs respectively. Further,
they have to review issues concerning their welfare.

For the educational advancement of SC & ST students there are schemes such as
Pre-matric scholarships, National Overseas Scholarships, Babu Jagjivan Ram
Chhatrawas Yojana, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowships. In most of the states
and UTs hostel facilities are provided for them from KG to PG level. The central
schemes are also supplemented by other allowances so that the entire expenditure
of SC/ST students is taken care of.

There are also scheduled castes development corporations in states and UTs,
besides a National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation,
and a National Safari Armchairs Finance and Development Corporation. There
are also a Venture Capital Fund and a Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme
for Scheduled Castes to extend financial support and seed capital to them in
start-ups of enterprises or other industrial ventures.

9.4.2 Welfare of Scheduled Tribes

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was set up in 1999 after bifurcation of the Ministry
of Social Justice and Empowerment with the objective of providing more focused
approach on the integrated socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes
(STs), the most underprivileged of the society, in a coordinated and planned
manner. Scheduled Tribes live in contiguous areas unlike other communities.

With a view to safeguarding the interests of Scheduled Tribes with regard to land
alienation and other social factors, provisions of the “Fifth Schedule” and “Sixth
Schedule” have been enshrined in the Constitution. The Fifth Schedule under
Article 244 (1) of Constitution defines “Scheduled Areas” as such areas as the
President may by Order declare to be Scheduled Areas after consultation with
the Governor of the state. The Sixth Schedule under Article 244(2) of the
Constitution relates to those areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura
and Mizoram which are declared as “Tribal Areas” and provides for District
Councils and /or Regional Councils for such Areas. With a view to later to the
welfare of STs. These Councils have been conferred with wide ranging legislative,
judicial and executive powers.
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:
As noted earlier, the purpose of this Act is to prevent commission of offences
against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Its scope and operation in the
case of STs are similar to that of the SCs.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): A separate Commission

was createdin2004 by amending the Constitution. The main duties of the
Commission are to investigate, monitor and evaluate all matters relating to the
safeguards provided for the scheduled tribes; and to inquire into specific
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complaints with respect to the deprivation of the rights and safeguards of the Social Welfare: Concept,
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Scheduled Tribes.

In addition to this Commission, there is National Scheduled Tribes Finance and

Development Corporation (set up in 2001) for accelerating the pace of economic
development of scheduled tribes, and for providing financial assistance as grant
for skill and entrepreneurial development of the target group. There is also one
federation called Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India
Ltd. (set up in 1987) which is now engaged in the marketing of its development
of tribal products (natural and organic products, handicrafts, etc.) for direct sale
though its own outlets or sale though other shops.

Then there are schemes for the economic development of ST women and micro-
credit schemes to provide financial assistance for self-employment ventures/
activities by STs. There is also a scheme for providing financial assistance to ST
students for pursuing higher studies and for post-doctoral research programmes
abroad. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs also provides adequate educational
infrastructure for STs and several incentives including scholarships for education
of ST students. By enacting the Forest Rights Act, 2006, the STs and other
traditional forest dwellers are vested with forest rights and allowed occupation
of forest land.

9.4.3 Welfare of Other Backward Classes

The Second Backward Classes Commission (commonly known as Mandal
Commission), constituted under Article 340, submitted it’s Report in 1980. Based
on this Report, the Government of India, in 1993, reserved 27 per cent of vacancies
in civil posts and services under the Central Government, to be filled through
direct recruitment in favour of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The facility
of reservation to OBCs was later extended for admissions and employment in
Central educational institutions also.
National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)
The NBCFDC was set up in 1992 with the objective of promoting economic and
developmental activities for the benefit of backward classes and to assist the
poorer sections of these classes in skill development and self-employment
ventures.
Educational Empowerment
There are also schemes such as Pre and Post-Matric Scholarships, National
Fellowships and award of interest subsidy to OBC students. A central scheme
for provision of hostels to students from De-notified tribes, who are not covered
under SC, ST or OBC categories, to enable them to pursue secondary and higher
education, has been in vogue.

9.4.4 Welfare of Persons with Disabilities

Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India prohibit discrimination of persons
on grounds of disabilities. They are also entitled to all the Rights guaranteed by
the constitution.

With a view to give focused attention to different policy issues and meaningful
thrust to the activities aimed at welfare and empowerment of the persons with 125
Social Welfare disabilities, a separate Department of Disability Affairs was carved out of the
Administrations
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2012. This Department now
acts as a nodal agency for matters relating to disability and persons with disabilities
besides enabling closer coordination among different stakeholders: related central
ministries, state/UT governments, NGOs etc., in matters pertaining to disability.
Thus the Indian Constitution protects the interests of, persons suffering from
certain disabilities.

Article 41 provides for Right to work, to education and to public assistance in

case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement. Besides, the Eleventh
and twelfth Schedules of the constitution, which pertain to the powers and
responsibilities of the Panchayats and Municipalities respectively with respect
to implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice,
include welfare and safeguarding the interests of persons with disabilities among
the other poor sections of the society. Several statutes enacted at the central level
are aimed at the rehabilitation and welfare of persons with disabilities in general
and those with specific categories of disabilities. The Department of
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities initiates legislation relating to the
disabled and monitors all the central schemes meant for the disabled persons.

The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is a statutory body and is the apex
body of the Union Government to regulate training programmes and courses
targeted at disabled, disadvantaged, and special education requirement
communities. The Council is required to maintain the Central Rehabilitation
Register which mainly documents details of all qualified professionals in this
field.

9.4.5 National Policy for Older Persons

The existing National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) was announced in 1999
to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to ensure the well-being of the older
persons. NPOP envisages state support to ensure financial and food security,
health care, shelter and fulfilment of the other needs of older persons, equitable
share in development, protection against abuse and exploitation, and provision
of services to improve the quality of their lives. The primary objectives of NPOP
are to encourage families to take care of their older family members; to extend
support to voluntary and non-governmental organisations to supplement the care
provided by the family and to provide adequate healthcare facilities to the elderly.

9.4.6 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Policy

Addiction of youth to drugs in India has become a serious problem, especially in
some urban pockets. India is a transit point as well as a destination for narcotic
substances. According to a recent survey by one of the central ministries India
has more than 70 million drug addicts. Realising the gravity of the problem, the
Union Ministry of Finance, in consultation with all stakeholders including the
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, has come up with the Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Policy(NDPS Policy).It spellsout the policy
of India towards narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. NDPS policy serves
as a guide to various Ministries and organisations in the Government of India
and to the state governments as well as international organisations and NGOs.
Overall, it asserts India’s commitment to combat the drug menace in a holistic
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manner. Besides legal measures, the prevention of drug menace requires society- Social Welfare: Concept,
Approaches and Policies
based solutions and international efforts.

9.4.7 Welfare Measures for the Minorities

Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution of India seek “to protect the interests of
minorities and recognise their right to conserve their distinct language, culture
and to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice”. Article
350 and 350B give the right to submit representation for redressal of their
grievances. Similarly, Articles 347 and 360A provide constitutional safeguards
in matters of instruction and language to linguistic minority groups.

Six religious communities viz., Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists,

Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains have been notified as minorities as per provisions
under the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act, 1992. The Union
and state governments have taken several following measures for the welfare of
minorities. The Ministry of Minority Affairs was created by the Union
Government in January, 2006 to ensure a focused approach to the issues relating
to the minorities and to play a pivotal role in the overall policy planning,
coordination, evaluation and review of the regulatory and development
programmes for the benefit of the minority communities. The Ministry is also
responsible for the administration and implementation of the statutes relating to
the minorities.

9.4.8 Women and Child Development

Women constitute 48 per cent of the population of the country. They suffer from
many disadvantages as compared to men in literacy rates, labour participation
ratio and earnings. From the first to the fifth Five-Year Plan women and child
development was treated as a subject of ‘welfare’ and clubbed together with the
welfare of disadvantaged groups like destitute, disabled, aged, etc. The Second
Plan to Fifth Plans continued this strategy, besides giving priority to women’s
education, and measures to improve material and child health services.

In the Sixth Plan, there was a shift in the approach from ‘welfare’ to ‘development’
of women, with special emphasis on the three core sectors of health, education
and employment. The Seventh Plan stressed on raising their economic and social
status, with a focus on beneficiary oriented schemes and the generation of both
skilled and unskilled employment though proper education and vocational
training. One of the objectives of the Eighth Plan was to ensure that the benefits
of development would flow to women to enable them to function as equal partners
and participants in the development process Besides a focus on the
“Empowerment of Women”, theNinth Plan worked out a Women’s Component
Plan’. Gender budget was introduced in 2007.

Since the development of women and children is considered to be of paramount

importance, a separate Ministry of Women and Child Development was created
at the Union level, in 2006, with the main responsibility to advance the rights
and concerns of women and children and to promote their survival, protection,
development and participation in a holistic manner. It is also responsible for
initiating legislation and policy implementation besides coordination with other
ministries and agencies dealing with the subject.
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9.4.9 National Policy for Women
The National Policy for Women, announced in 2018, is expected to guide
government action on women’s issues on a life-cycle continuum and encompasses
a wide spectrum of issues from education, health, economic participation,
decision-making, and violence against women to creation of an enabling
environment.

9.4.10 Policies and Programmes for the Welfare of Children

Children (0-18 years) are an asset to the country’s development. They need to be
nurtured in a planned manner. The central as well as state governments have
launched several programmes for their development. The Ministry of Women
and Child Development has taken up several programmes and initiatives for
child development. The Important ones are noted below.
National Policy for Children (2013)
The Government of India adopted a new National Policy for Children (NPC) in
April 2013. The NPC reaffirms the government’s commitment to the realisation
of the rights of children. It recognises childhood as an integralpart of life with a
value of its own. The NPC has identified survival, health, nutrition, education
development, protection and participation as the undeniable rights of every child,
and has also declared these as key priority areas that need to be given a good
deal of attention by the governmental and non-governmental agencies.

To deal with child abuse cases the Government has brought a special law “The
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. The Act provides for
stringent punishment, which ranges from simple to rigorous imprisonment of
varying periods. The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights
(NCPCR) and State Commissions for the Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs)
have been made the designated authority to monitor the implementation of the
Act.
National Nutrition Policy
The National Nutrition Policy was formulated in 1993, and as a follow up the
National Plan of Action was developed in 1995. The National Plan of Action
identified the different sectors in the government for taking up coordinated action
to combat malnutrition.

For promotion of infant and young children’s feeding practices, focus on

appropriate feeding and implementation of IMS Act is undertaken. There is also
the Food and Nutrition Board in the Ministry of Women and Child Development
which is involved in policy-making, strategy development as well as identification
of innovative measures for the improvement of the nutritional status of the people
of our country.
Comprehensive Adoption Reforms
Under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and Adoption Regulations, notified in
2017,on-line registration with Central Adoptions Resource Authority (CARA)
was made mandatory to adopt a child from anywhere in India. Central Adoption
Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINS) is the only official portal
of CARA for legal adoption process. Under the 2015 Act any person or agency
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indulgingin illegal adoption shall be punished. The Act has adequate safeguards Social Welfare: Concept,
Approaches and Policies
for children to ensure their best interests.
Holistic Development of the Child
For holistic development of the child, the Ministry has been implementing the
world’s largest outreach programme of Integrated Child Development Services
(ICDS) or Anganwadi services, which has been in existence since 1975, It provides
a package of services comprising supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health
check-up, referral services, and pre-school non-formal education, with the
objective of improving the nutritional and health status of children in the age
group of 0 – 6 years. The major policy initiatives undertaken by the Ministry in
the recent past include universalisation of ICDS and, launching of a nutrition
programme for adolescent girls (11 – 18 years), establishment of the Commission
for protection of Child Rights, and enactment of Protection of Women from
Domestic Violence Act.

In addition to the above, the National Plan of Action for Children (N P A C) was
introduced in 2016, which keys upon four priority areas: survival; health and
nutrition; education and development; protection; and participation. The Ministry
has also been making efforts for a more effective involvement of non-
governmental organisations in women and child welfare programmes.
Welfare of people in distress
 People affected by the disasters such as flood, cyclone, earthquake, drought,
landslide, major fire, major accidents, etc., need immediate rescue & can make
legitimate claims on the state for rescue, relief as well as long-term rehabilitation
assistance  The Disaster Management Act (2005) has   provided the legal
framework under which the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State
Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) have come into operation to meet rescue and
relief expenditure of a notified disaster event. Relief includes items for survival
such as food, water, health, medical assistance, clothing, shelter, etc. Relief and
other services are provided on an ad hoc basis for a few weeks or months to
enable the disaster victims to recover to a state of normalcy. The state government
concerned has the primary responsibility for providing rescue and relief. The
District Collector/ Magistrate is empowered to take emergency measures to deal
with disaster situations. NGOs like Red Cross play important roles in the relief
and rehabilitation process.
Check Your Progress 2
Note: i) Use the space given below for your answers.
ii) Check your answers with those given at the end of the Unit.
1) What has been done by the Central Government for the welfare of women in
India?
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Social Welfare 2) Enlist the measures initiated towards holistic development of the children.
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9.5 CONCLUSION
The Preamble and the chapters on the Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
of State Policy of the Indian Constitution stand testimony to India’s commitment
to the objectives of a welfare state. Successive governments have played an
important role in achieving these objectives. Specifically, the judiciary has played
a pivotal role in making a liberal interpretation of the relevant statutes and
programmes, thereby ensuring that the objectives of welfare-oriented
constitutional provisions are realised.

There were apprehensions that after the dawn of liberalisation (1991) in India
the state would withdraw from its commitments to the poor and marginalised.
Contrary to such fears, the Union government and that of the states/ union
territories have accelerated the tempo of welfare programmes. Indeed, new recipes
have been added to the welfare menu partly because of the growth of the Indian
economy enabling the centre and the states to increase their budgetary
commitments for welfare schemes. Another compelling reason is the growing
tendency of competitive populism among political parties driving them to embrace
more and more new schemes/ freebies, often beyond the notion of a welfare
state. An open democratic system with periodic elections makes this possible.
There are schemes for free supply of gas stoves for the poor; supply of laptops
and bicycles for school and college students freely; subsidised cooking gas,
comprehensive health insurance schemes (eg. PMJY); heavily subsidised
breakfast and lunch – for Rs 5/-each; free distribution of mobile phones, grinders
and other kitchen items; full fee reimbursement for bulk of the school and college
students; grant of land (in a few cases), house sites / pucca houses for the poor
and slum dwellers; grants in lump sum to meet marriage expenses; special doles
of essential goods for festivals, to mention only a few. These and many other
welfare schemes have been operational in various states. Those lagging behind
have been catching upfast. .Conventional welfare schemes like pensions have
been augmented both by increasing the sum (by ten-fold in some states) or by
reducing the age limit, or both. Overall, welfarism found a new lease of life in
democratic India in which it will only flourish, but not diminish.

9.6 GLOSSARY
Social Services: Social services are those services whose aim is the protection
and enhancement of the social welfare of the individual or the community either
through social legislation or by social action.

Social Security: In specific terms, social security refers to governmental

protection for those who lose their incomes because of disability, old age,
unemployment, or the death of the main earning member of the family.
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Disaster Relief: Disaster relief refers to help or assistance in cash or kind to Social Welfare: Concept,
Approaches and Policies
persons who are deprived of essential necessities for survival because of disaster
such as flood, earthquake, cyclone, or similar catastrophe.

9.7 REFERENCES
Bose, A.B. (1987). Encyclopaedia of Social Work, Ministry of Welfare. New
Delhi, India: Government of India.

Friedlander, W. (1967). Introduction to Social Welfare. New Delhi, India: Prentice-

Hall.

Gore, M.S. & Khadelkar, M. (1975). Quarter Century of Welfare in India.

Bombay, India: Asia Publishing House.

Government of India. (2018). India Year Book. New Delhi, India: Publications
Division.

Government of India. (1951). First Five Year Plan. New Delhi, India: Planning
Commission.

Heywood, A. (2005). Key Concepts in Politics. New York: Macmillan.

Vasey, W. (1958). Government and Social Welfare. New York: Rinehart.

United Nations. (1970). Social Welfare Planning in the context of National

Development Plans. New York: UN Publications.

9.8 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

EXERCISES
Check Your Progress 1
1) Your answer should include the following point:
Concept of social welfare
Social welfare planning in the context of national development
Significance of social welfare
2) Your answer should include the following points:
Family centric approach
Residual perspective approach
Mixed-economy approach
Institutional approach
Check Your Progress 2
1) Your answer should include the following points:
Approaches of social welfare
Social welfare policies for SCs & STs
Social welfare policies for the OBCs

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Social Welfare 2) Your answer should include the following points:
Administrations
ICDS
Nutritional programme for the adolescent girls (11-18 years)
Commission for protection of Child Rights
Enactment of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

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