Structure:

Introduction:  Importance of emancipation of minority community like women, children, SC and ST .

Body:  Elaborate on the schemes of Karnataka with respect to women , children, SC and ST separately by evaluating them.

Conclusion: Need of Inclusive growth for overall growth of country.

Supporting points:

WOMEN : Women comprise nearly half the population in Karnataka. According to the recent 2011 Census, women comprise 49.31% of the total state population. It is in the recent years that the issue of women's empowerment as a development objective has moved center stage. With this objective in mind, the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Karnataka, has designed the following schemes that aim, not only on empowering women, but also for their well-being in various spheres.

• StreeShakthi : Upto December-2019 the groups had saved Rs. 6037.28 crore since inception. Bank loans have been availed by 145531 groups to the extent of Rs.8168.61 crore and there has been internal loan circulation to the tune of Rs.7141.43 crore and used for taking up various Income Generating Activities.
• Hostel for Girls: At present 20 pre matric and 21 post matric- a total of 41 girls' hostels are functioning through NGOs which are funded by the Department.
• Special Gram Sabhas: Government is facilitating holding of Special Grama Sabhas for women to get their entitlements and also to select suitable women beneficiaries under various schemes of development departments.
• Gender based Budget: gender based budgeting helps to prioritize and orient public expenditure to reflect the concerns of women.
• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence: In order to provide shelter and counseling to victims of domestic violence, 116 service providers have been notified. In addition to this, 31 Swadhar Centers, 21 Short Stay Homes and 185 Santhwana Centers have been notified as Shelter Homes in the State.
• Santwana: Santwana is a scheme aimed at rehabilitation of women who have been subjected to atrocities like rape, domestic violence, dowry, sexual harassment and so on. At present 196 Santwana centers are functioning through NGOs.
• One Stop Centre (Sakhi): The Ministry of Women and Child Development has intended to establish One stop Centre (Sakhi) to support women affected by violence.
• Others include Udyogini, Devadasi rehabilitation program, Devadasi Pension scheme, Chethana Scheme, Samruddi, Dhanashri etc.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT: In Karnataka children (0-6 years) constitute 11.72% of the total population (as per 2011 Census). The Department of Women and Child Development is focusing on the implementation of schemes for the overall development of the children.

• Bhagyalakshmi: Bhagyalakshmi is a flaghip programme implemented by Government of Karnataka aimed at improving the sex ratio in the State by encouraging the birth of girl child in the BPL families.
• Prohibition of Child Marriage:- Child Marriage is a social evil. To eradicate child marriage from the society, to create awareness among the general public and to stop child marriages, Child Marriage Prohibition Cell has been established in the department of women and child development.
• Ksheera Bhagya:-Under Ksheera Bhagya Scheme, Anganwadi children in the State are being given (in the form of 15 gm milk powder converted to 150 ml creamy milk and 10 gms sugar since July
• Srushti Scheme: All the children in anganwadi centre between 3 to 6 years are provided eggs 2 days a week from June 2017
• Mathru Poorna Scheme: In this programme pregnant and nursing mother are provided hot meals in Anganwadi Centre at cost of Rs.21/-. Rs. 11.50/- is shared by State Government and Rs. 9.50/- is incurred under Centrally sponsored ICDS programmes.
• 'Mathrushree'. Government have started new scheme called 'Mathrushree'. Wherein BPL pregnant/lactating mother child birth. Total of Rs.6000/- cash incentive is provided in 2 installments.
• PoshanAbiyan The main objectives of Poshan Abiyaan programme is to improve the nutritional status of children, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers.

SHEDULED CASTE and SCHEDULED TRIBES: The SC population which was 0.86 crores during 2001 census has been increased to 1.05 crores in 2011 census. Similarly The STpopulation which was 0.35 crores during 2001 census has been increased to 0.42 crores in 2011 census. As SCs continue to be deprived of adequate access to education, health care facilities, housing, sanitation, productive assets like land, etc., the Department of Social Welfare and the Development Corporations are implementing various schemes for their socio-economic uplift.

• Admission of Meritorious Students in Prestigious Schools
• Pre-matric Scholarships and Post Metric Scholorships with hostel facilities.
• Residential Schools ( Morarji Desai schools )
• Scheduled Caste Sub Plan
• Land Purchase Scheme : The scheme has been launched during 1990-91 to make the landless agricultural labourers land holders by purchasing lands from non-SC/ST land holders.
• Ganga Kalyana Scheme : Community Irrigation/Lift Irrigation Scheme, Individual Irrigation Borewell Scheme, Energisation of Irrigation Borewells, Micro Credit Finance Scheme (Prerana)
• Book banks schemes and Construction of Valmiki Bhavans for Scheduled Tribes.
• Financial incentives for PVTG Students.
• Tribal Sub Plan

Above mentioned schemes are evident for the progressive prospects of minority (women, children and SC – ST) development in the state of Karnataka.