The survival and livelihoods of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) during the post-COVID pandemic period in Rajasthan witnessed multiple challenges, making it imperative for the State government to take measures for their welfare. Experts have laid emphasis on steps to ensure the absorption of vulnerable communities in the primary labour market.
The issues of SC and tribal communities facing difficulty in access to health and education, and the exclusion of the farm-dependent population from government schemes, were discussed at a dialogue that analysed the post-COVID scenario at the Institute of Development Studies-Jaipur (IDSJ) here. The participants identified some policy interventions which could benefit the SC and ST populations.
The ratio of SC and ST students in higher education in the State has increased in the last few years, but the quality of education in government colleges needs attention. Educationist Ramesh Bairwa said SCs and STs comprised 19.79% and 13.85%, respectively, of the total students in the State in 2022-23.
