Opinion | Steps Toward Social Equity: A Decade of Welfare for the Marginalized

In a diverse country like India, where people come from varied social, economic, and regional backgrounds, the responsibility of inclusive governance becomes even more critical. The term “marginalized communities” refers to those sections of society that have historically been excluded from access to resources, opportunities, and rights. These include Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), minorities, tribal groups, economically weaker sections, and people living in remote and conflict-affected regions like Jammu and Kashmir. Over the past decade, the Government of India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has introduced a series of initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between the mainstream and the marginalized. These efforts, if implemented effectively, hold the promise of transforming lives and building a more inclusive India.

One of the key pillars of the Modi-led government’s vision has been economic empowerment. Financial inclusion was a major area of focus right from the beginning of the first term in 2014. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched to bring every unbanked citizen into the formal banking system. It led to the opening of over 50 crore bank accounts, a large number of them belonging to SCs, STs, and minorities. These accounts became crucial for Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs), ensuring that subsidies and financial assistance reached people directly without leakage or corruption.

Building on this foundation, the government launched schemes like MUDRA Yojana and Stand-Up India. These initiatives provide easy collateral-free loans to small business owners, especially those from backward communities and women entrepreneurs. In regions like Kashmir, where unemployment among the youth is a pressing issue, such schemes have opened doors for self-employment and local enterprise, though awareness and ground-level support remain areas that need strengthening.

Another important area has been housing and basic amenities. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) seeks to provide affordable housing for all, with a significant portion earmarked for economically weaker sections and backward classes. The Ujjwala Yojana brought LPG connections to millions of women from poor households, thereby addressing both health and dignity concerns. In rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir, these schemes have made a tangible impact, bringing visible changes to living conditions in many underserved communities.

Healthcare access has also been improved through schemes like Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). This health insurance initiative targets poor and vulnerable families, providing them with a cover of ₹5 lakh per year for secondary and tertiary care. In areas with limited medical infrastructure, like certain hilly and tribal regions of Kashmir, the scheme has brought a sense of financial security to families during medical emergencies.

Education is another domain where long-term development for marginalized groups is being targeted. The Eklavya Model Residential Schools, specifically meant for tribal students, aim to provide quality education and a competitive environment. National Fellowship and scholarship schemes for SC/ST/OBC and minority students have been expanded. The government has also made efforts to modernize madrasas and integrate skill-based learning, thereby enabling young learners from minority communities to participate more actively in the knowledge economy.

To promote livelihood and skill development, programs like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) have been initiated. These schemes are meant to train youth in employable skills. In Kashmir, several skill development centers have been set up, aiming to equip the youth with practical skills in IT, tourism, handicrafts, and healthcare. While the vision is commendable, the success of such programs relies heavily on implementation, monitoring, and creating real employment linkages after training.

One of the major structural reforms in recent years has been the constitutional recognition of economically weaker sections (EWS) through a 10% reservation in education and jobs, regardless of caste or religion. This move was widely discussed and received mixed reactions, but it represented a shift in the discourse of affirmative action, bringing poor upper-caste citizens within the scope of state support.

The Modi government has also introduced measures aimed specifically at tribal and border communities. In Jammu and Kashmir, the recognition and reservation of the Pahari community, alongside existing Scheduled Tribes like Gujjars and Bakarwals, was a notable step. Road connectivity, drinking water, electricity, and education initiatives have been prioritized in remote and tribal belts through programs like the Aspirational Districts Programme and the Tribal Sub-Plan. The recent extension of national welfare schemes post the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 has also brought centrally sponsored schemes into greater operation across the Union Territory.

Digital India has played a critical role in bringing services closer to marginalized communities. Common Service Centres (CSCs) have become access points for government services in rural areas, enabling citizens to apply for documents, receive health updates, check entitlements, and even engage in digital literacy training. In remote parts of Kashmir, these centers are bridging the digital divide and empowering the local population to interact with governance systems more directly.

Despite all these initiatives, the true measure of progress lies not just in policy announcements but in real impact. While many of these schemes are well-designed and visionary, challenges remain in terms of execution, corruption, political bias, and lack of awareness at the grassroots. In Kashmir, frequent internet shutdowns, local unrest, and administrative delays can hinder the reach of central schemes. Moreover, language and cultural sensitivities must be respected while implementing national programs in a region with a distinct identity and historical complexities.

Another crucial aspect is community participation. For any scheme to succeed, it must involve the people it aims to serve. Panchayati Raj institutions, local NGOs, youth groups, and civil society can play a major role in ensuring that schemes are adapted to local needs and monitored effectively. The government must continue its dialogue with ground-level stakeholders to avoid a top-down approach that may not resonate with the lived realities of marginalized communities.

In conclusion, the initiatives of the Modi-led government for marginalized communities reflect a clear intention to create an inclusive and empowered society. Financial inclusion, healthcare access, education, housing, digital services, and targeted welfare are all part of a broad framework designed to lift those on the fringes of society. In regions like Kashmir, these programs carry the potential to bring long-overdue development and dignity to people who have suffered from neglect, conflict, and exclusion. However, success lies in continuous evaluation, responsive governance, and a commitment to equity that transcends politics. Only then can the dream of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” be genuinely realized.

Paulayan75422@gmail.com

Aiyan Gulzar Paul