This paper is an attempt to investigate the socio-economic condition of Scheduled Castes in India. After independence, the government of India and the governments of different states have made a number of schemes (including Five Year Plans) and programmes, in accordance to the directions made by the constitution of India. In the paper, the Five Year Plans documents and annual reports of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, have been examined and analysed. These documents and reports do not present a good picture at all. It has been found that after six decades of independence the socio-economic condition of the scheduled castes is still very poor, especially in rural areas. The findings of this paper questions, not only the relevance of these schemes and programmes, but also the will of the governments either central or state. The author believes that it may not be necessary to change the policy (Niti), but the change in mindset (Neeyat) is strongly desirable. The author also found that the reservation policy for the scheduled castes is irrational, as it does not differentiate between different economic sections within the scheduled caste community itself. Thus, the author strongly suggests changing this policy immediately and creating the provision of creamy layer in reservation so that very idea of SOCIAL JUSTICE can be established within the scheduled caste community too.
“The first condition which I think is a condition precedent for the successful working of a democracy is that there must be no glaring inequalities in the society. There must not be an oppressed class. There must not be a class which has got all the privileges and a class which has got all the burdens to carry… ”, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
