RESERVATION POLICY and EMPOWERMENT OF SC and ST WOMEN IN INDIA A CASE STUDY OF ODISHA

Abstract

Every individual is born free and equal. There is difference among them because of their physical structure or mental ability. But we find that except these differences there is also difference among them that is based on caste, color, religion etc. which are social in nature; that means these are man maid. Because nature treats all human beings as equal, there is no discrimination on the grounds of anything. But our social structure creates all these differences among the people which are the cause of discrimination. Reservation policy intends to uplift those who suffer from discrimination. It is a policy of favoring members of disadvantaged section of society who currently suffer or historically have suffered from discrimination within a culture. Historically, people are disadvantaged because of their caste or gender or tribe. So, through reservation policy the framers of the constitution sought to achieve the goals like; bridging inequalities in employment and pay, increasing access to education, promoting diversity and redressing apparent past wrongs, harms or hindrances. In India, reservation policy has evoked mixed reactions. Many people oppose reservations as they believe that it goes against the principle of merit. But the supporters argue that reservation has proved to be beneficial to many underprivileged as the social condition differs from individual to individual. Hence it is imperative to study reservation and how it has benefitted some sections of the society. newlineThe affirmative action like Reservation Policy started after independence to act as a tool of empowerment of the marginalized sections. It is interesting to take a look at the effectiveness of the Reservation Policy after seventy years of independence. The purpose of this research is to objectively assess the effectiveness of reservation to empower the SC and ST women. Empowerment is a way of means, which enables people to control things which influence their life. The term empowerment has a diverse perspective in the diverse social and poli