Synopsis The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is entrusted with the welfare, social justice and empowerment of disadvantaged and marginalised sections of society viz. SC, ST, minorities; backward classes, disabled, aged persons, street children, victims of drug abuse etc. The basic objectives of policies, programmes, law and institutions of Indian welfare system are to bring the target group into the mainstream of development by making them self-reliant. This book encompasses detailed information about the functions, organisation, policies and programmes of the Ministry. A number of key issues like policy and approach; development of SC; tribal development; welfare of OBCs; welfare of disabled; social defence programmes; animal welfare etc. are given competent treatment in this book.