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Introduction

Development and welfare schemes are essential tools to bring about socio-economic development and uplift the underprivileged sections of society. While they are implemented with good intentions, they can sometimes be perceived as discriminatory. At the same time, these schemes are often seen as necessary interventions to bridge existing gaps in society.

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Development and Welfare Schemes as Discriminatory

• Focused Approach: A significant criticism that often surfaces is centred on reservation policies that extend to education and government jobs. These policies have often faced backlash because non-reserved categories view them as discriminatory, pointing towards a dilution of meritocracy.
• Resource Allocation: Welfare initiatives such as MGNREGA have been pivotal in providing employment opportunities in rural areas. However, a critical viewpoint highlights the potential neglect of the urban poor as the scheme is predominantly targeted at the rural populace.
• Potential for Misuse: As can be seen in the case of the PDS system, envisioned to provide essential commodities to the economically weaker sections of the society. But, it faced challenges like corruption and leakages, where grains are sometimes diverted to the open market.
• Creation of Dependency: Schemes that offer free electricity or water supply for farmers have faced criticism for fostering a dependency culture. These policies, instead of empowering the farmers to be self-reliant, dissuading them from adopting sustainable and efficient resource usage practices.
• Geographical Disparities: Some schemes tend to focus more on particular geographical regions like the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), creating a perception of discrimination in other regions that do not receive similar attention.

Counter-arguments: Necessity for Targeted Approaches in development and welfare schemes

• Social Justice: These welfare schemes aim to help disadvantaged section in society Eg: Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme aims to address gender imbalances and promote the education and wellbeing of girl children, working towards a more equitable society.
• Economic Equity: For instance, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has been pivotal in fostering financial inclusion by bringing numerous people under the formal banking sector, thus promoting economic equity.
• Health and Wellbeing: It is evident in schemes like Ayushman Bharat scheme that seeks to provide substantial health coverage to the poor and vulnerable, ensuring they have access to necessary healthcare facilities.
• Educational Equity: As being done under schemes like the Mid Day Meal scheme not only promotes education among children from disadvantaged sections but also ensures nutrition, leveraging education to fight malnutrition.
• Infrastructure Development: As seen in the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana aims at connecting rural areas with the urban cities through a network of roads, facilitating easier access to economic opportunities for rural populations.
• Tribal empowerment: VAN DHAN YOJANA providing economic assistance and good market avenues for forest products.
• Protecting culture and traditions: Schemes like USTAAD providing assistance for handicraft making industry among minority community.

Conclusion

Going ahead, while addressing the criticisms of being potentially discriminatory, it is equally vital to appreciate the necessity of targeted interventions to foster inclusivity and equity. The way forward lies in adopting a collaborative, technologically adept, and transparent approach to nurture a society where development is both inclusive and sustainable.

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