Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for
Young and Start-Up Entrepreneurs belonging to Scheduled Castes
Swachhta
Udyami Yojana’ for financing viable community toilet projects and sanitation
related vehicles to collect garbage
The Constitution
(Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2014 passed
Draft National Policy on Drug Demand Reduction formulated
Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and
Substance (Drugs) Abuse revised w.e.f. 1.1.2015
(Department
of Social Justice & Empowerment)
The
Ministry of Social Justice &Empowerment (Department of Social Justice &
Empowerment) is entrusted with the empowerment of the disadvantaged and
marginalized sections of the society. The Target groups of the Department are:
(i) Scheduled Castes (SCs), (ii) Other Backward Classes (OBCs), (iii) Senior
Citizens and (iv) Victims of Substance Abuse.
Enhancement in
Plan Outlay in 2013-14
There
was an increase of 1.65 % in the Plan outlay of the Ministry from Rs.6065 crore
in 2013-14 to Rs 6165 crore in 2014-15 The Plan Outlay allocated to Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment)
has been enhanced from Rs 11655.20 core in the 11th Five Year Plan
to Rs 29400 crore for 12th Five Year Plan.
In 2014, many
initiatives were taken to empower these weaker sections as summarized below:
I. Scheduled Castes Development
Amendments in the
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:
The Scheduled Castes and the
Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2014, to amend the
PoA Act, introduced in the Lok Sabha on 16.07.2014. The Bill was listed
for consideration by the Lok Sabha on 17.07.2014 and on directions of Hon’ble
Speaker, Lok Sabha, the Bill has been referred to the Departmental
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment for
examination and report.
The Constitution
(Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2014: The Constitution
(Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2014 to modify the list of
Scheduled Castes in relation to the states of Kerala (inclusion of two
synonymous castes), Madhya Pradesh (inclusion of one synonymous caste), Odisha
(inclusion of four synonymous castes), Tripura (inclusion of three synonymous
castes) and Sikkim (exclusion of one caste) was introduced in Lok Sabha on 11.08.2014.
The Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on 27.11.2014 and
8.12.14 respectively. The bill has been sent for assent of the President.
The Constitution
(Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2014, which proposes to include
eight castes as synonym to Scheduled Castes in relation to the States/UT of
Haryana(one), Karnataka(one), Odisha (six), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (one) and
substitution of the name of the State from ‘Uttaranchal’ to ‘Uttarakhand’ was
introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 11.02.2014. The said Bill was referred to the
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment for
examination and report. The committee in its sitting held on 26.11.2014
heard views of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes , besides evidence
of the Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and Registrar
General of India.
Revision of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
(Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995: The Rules notified in 1995, were revised
on 23.12.2011. Further amendment in the PoA Rules for enhancing the relief
amount by 50% i.e. between Rs. 75,000/- to Rs. 7,50,000/- depending upon the
nature of offences has been approved on 23.06.2014, and is under notification
in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary.
Upward revision of financial norms under
the Scheme of Grant-in-aid to voluntary organizations working for the SCs (last
fixed in 1998): The Scheme has been revised and informed
to the States/UTs vide letter dated 15th July, 2014. Following revisions
have been made in the financial norms:
·
Generally
100% enhancement
·
Honorarium of teachers has been revised upward at par with the
salary of teachers in Kasturba Gandhi Vidhyalaya.
Swachhta Udyami
Yojana: As an integral part of 'Swachh
Bharat Abhiyan' launched by the Prime Minister on 2nd October, 2014,
the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment launched a new Scheme
‘Swachhta Udyami Yojana’ of NSKFDC on 2nd October, 2014 for
financing viable community toilet projects and sanitation related vehicles to
collect garbage.
Setting up ‘‘Dr. Ambedkar
International Centre for Social Justice’ at 15, Janpath New Delhi: The
Government has approved setting up of the Centre at an approximate cost of
Rs.195 crore at Janpath. The architectural plan and design of Dr. Ambedkar
International Centre has been approved by the New Delhi Municipal Council
(NDMC) on 20.11.2014.
The Government has also taken a
decision to fully develop the Dr. Ambedkar Memorial at 26, Alipure Road,
Delhi. The CPWD has already started preliminary work. The architectural
Plan has been approved by the Hon'ble Minister (SJ&E) on 27.11.2014.
Creation of ‘Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Caste
Entrepreneurs’ Scheme: The Government has decided to set up a new Venture
Capital Fund for SCs. An allocation of Rs.200 crore has been provided for the
Fund. A scheme has been finalized in consultation with the IFCI. The
Standing Finance Committee (SFC) under the chairmanship of Secretary (SJ&E)
was held on 03.12.2014 for appraisal of the proposed Scheme. Competent
Authority has approved the Scheme. The fund would be operationalised during
remaining part of the year 2014-15 onwards.
Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for
Young and Start-Up Entrepreneurs belonging to Scheduled Castes:
The
Finance Minister in his Union Budget Speech for FY 2014-15 made on 10th
July 2014, inter-alia, announced that a sum of Rs.200 crores will be allocated
towards Credit Enhancement Gurantee for Young and start-up entrepreneurs,
belonging to Scheduled Castes, who aspire to be part of neo middle class
category, with an objective to encourage entrepreneurship in the lower strata
of the Society resulting in job creation besides creating confidence in
Scheduled Castes.
The
said allocation is under Social Sector Initiatives in order to promote
entrepreneurship among the scheduled castes and to facilitate concessional
finance to them.
The
proposed Scheme and Standing Finance Committee (SFC) memo has been concurred on
17.10.2014 by the IFD M/o SJ&E. However, due to non allocation of budget
under the Scheme SFC memo has not been circulated for inter-Ministerial
consultation.
Implementation
of Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) Scheme:
Prime Minister's Office (PMO) vide ID dated 26.3.13 provided the list of 121
districts across the country selected for implementation of DBT. The necessary
proformae in this regard were uploaded on the Central Plan Scheme Monitoring
System (CPSMS) portal in mid February 2014. Having received the digitally
signed digitized lists of beneficiaries forwarded by 8 States/ UTs and 15 Top
Class Institutions, in respect of the 3 Scholarship Schemes of the Department
in the Financial Year 3013-14, the Department of SJE could disburse Rs 1062.37
lakhs directly into the bank accounts of 45184 beneficiaries.
For
the Financial Year 2014-15, till date the Department has been able to credit an
amount of Rs 6.43 lakhs directly into the bank accounts of 9 beneficiaries.
Around 15 proposals are in the pipeline where scholarships would be disbursed
shortly through DBT.
Depository of the
Scheduled Caste Certificates:
The
persons belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) are entitled to admissible benefits
under various Schemes of the Government. Production of the SC Certificate is
an essential requirement to avail the benefits meant for the SCs. It is thus a
key document. Complaints of fake certificates are also received from time to
time. It would be a good idea to have a digitised data base of all the SC
certificates, which could be linked with the Aadhar number for easy
accessibility by the SC beneficiaries/Scheme implementing agencies. It would be
very helpful to the genuine SC beneficiaries on one hand and also help to check
the problem of fake certificates on the other.
Issuance of SC certificates falls within the domain of the States/UTs. The
department of Social Justice & Empowerment proposes to formulate a Scheme
to provide technical and financial assistance to the States/UTs for preparing
depository of Scheduled Castes Certificate.
II.
Backward Classes Development
·
For the first time significant release
of more than 90% of the budget amounting to over RS 1000 crore for the welfare
of OBCs done before the end of third quarter.
·
National Fellowship for 300 OBC
students (NF-OBC) launched. The rates revised from Rs 18000 per month for JRF
to Rs 25000 per month and for SRF from Rs 20000 per month to Rs 28000 per
month.
·
New scheme of National Overseas
Scholarship for 25 OBCs (NOS-OBC) launched to enable the OBC students to pursue
higher education abroad.
·
The norms for the “Construction of
Hostels for the OBC Boys and Girls” revised
with unit cost enhanced from Rs 1.40 lakhs per hostel seat to Rs 3.50 lakhs for
North-east, Rs 3.25 lakh for Himalayan states and Rs 3.00 for rest of country.
This will improve the quality of construction of hostels.
·
The scheme of “Assistance to Voluntary
Organisations working for the Welfare of the OBCs” revised with focus on
Skill Development.
·
The Ministry is forging partnership with Central
Universities/Institutions to invite proposals and ideas for effective and
innovative methods for monitoring, evaluating, creating databases and preparing
reports for the welfare schemes.
·
E-tracking of loans in order to improve recovery initiated by the
NBCFDC.
·
Skill Development training provided to 6460 beneficiaries.
Further, stipend at the rate of Rs 1000 per month provided to the trainees for
the first time.
·
The Recruitment Rules for strengthening the functioning of
National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) framed and notified.
·
A new website which is interactive has been launched by the
NBCFDC.
Proposed
Activities/Initiatives
·
The National Overseas Scholarship for
OBCs will be revised to our 100 students in place of 25 students.
·
New Schemes for DNTs namely, Dr
Ambedkar Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for the DNTs, Dr Ambedkar Post-Matric
Scholarship Scheme for the DNTs and Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme of Construction of
Hostels to be launched for welfare of these sections of the society.
·
For Economically Backward Classes
(EBCs), the Dr Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme and Dr Ambedkar National
Overseas Scholarship are to be launched.
·
The DNT Commission will be made
operational by appointing the Chairperson, Member and Member Secretary.
·
National Fellowship for OBCs will be made available to 60 more
students.
·
100% release of fund under BC Schemes by January, 2014.
·
Development of e-Scholarship Portal for scholarships in order to
avoid duplicity and increase the efficiency.
·
E-marketing of the products of the artisans to provide market
value to them.
III. Social
Defence
Senior
Citizens
Scheme
of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) :
The Ministry has been implementing the
Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons
since
1992, with the objective of improving the quality of life of Senior Citizens
by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment
opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing through providing
support to NGOs/ Panchayati Raj Institutions etc. The Scheme was last revised
with effect from 1.4.2008. The Cost Norms of the scheme have been
revised which will be effective from 1.4.2015.
Under the Scheme of IPOP,
online processing of proposals of NGOs has been initiated from the current
financial year (2014-15).
The details of physical and financial
performance of the Scheme during the current year (upto 30.11.2014) are as
given below :
Notional
Allocation : Rs. 50.00 Crores
Funds
released : Rs. 7.36
Crores
Beneficiaries
covered : 8945
Projects
assisted : 167
NGOs
assisted : 133
National
Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), 1999 :
The
National Policy on Older Persons(NPOP), 1999 was announced in January 1999 to
reaffirm the commitment to ensure the well-being of the older persons. The
policy envisages State support to ensure financial and food security,
healthcare, shelter and other needs of older persons, equitable share in
development, protection against abuse and exploitation and availability of
services to improve the quality of life of the senior citizens. The Policy is
being revised keeping in view the changes in demographic pattern,
socio-economic needs of senior citizens, social value system and advancement in
the field of science and technology. The draft of the new
National Policy for Senior Citizens is being finalized.
Celebration
of International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) :
Every year, 1st October is celebrated as
International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) by organizing a series of events. In
order to recognize the efforts made by eminent senior citizens and institutions
involved in rendering distinguished services for the cause of the elderly
persons, especially, the indigent elderly, the Ministry has notified a Scheme
of National Awards (VAYOSHRESHTHA SAMMAN) in January, 2013.
On 1st October, 2014, the Vayoshreshtha Samman –
National Awards for Senior Citizens under different categories were conferred
by the Hon'ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha on eminent senior citizens and
Institutions in recognition for their contribution towards the cause of the
elderly.
Inter-generational
Walkathon was organized in the morning of 1st October 2014 in New
Delhi and 20 other State Capitals ie., Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Hyderabad,
Mumbai, Shimla, Jaipur, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Dehradun, Chennai, Kochi, Patna,
Chandigarh, Ranchi, Agartala, Bhopal, Raipur, Shillong, Bengaluru and
Puducherry.
A
Review and improvement of the Scheme of Vayoshreshtha Samman ie., National
Award for Senior Citizens is being undertaken.
Seminars
and Conferences:
A
two days' Conference of State Ministers and Principal Secretaries/Secretaries
of Social Welfare was held on 22-23 August, 2014 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The Hon’ble Minister addressed the gathering.
The
Ministry supported the 12th Global Conference International
Federation on Ageing (IFA) on 10-13th June, 2014 at Hyderabad. The
Hon’ble Minister of SJE addressed the gathering.
The
Ministry supported the Multi Activity Event on “Jeevaema Sharadaha Shatam”
(May we live for 100 years)” Active & Healthy Ageing” organized by RRTC,
Anugraha Delhi at Chinmaya Mission Auditorium, Lodhi Road, New Delhi on
16.10.2014. The Hon’ble Minister inaugurated the workshop and addressed the
gathering.
The
Ministry co-sponsored the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on
"India's Elderly: Dignity, Health and Security" held on 4th and 5th
December, 2014 at New Delhi. The Conference was addressed by Hon'ble
Minister (SJ&E) and the Secretary, SJ&E
Drug
Abuse Prevention
The
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment implements Central Sector Scheme
of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse under
which financial assistance is provided to Non Government Organizations,
Panchayati Raj Institution, Urban Local Bodies etc. for, inter-alia, running
and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for addicts (IRCAs). Under
this scheme, financial assistance up to 90% of the approval expenditure is
given to the voluntary organizations and other eligible agencies for setting
up/ running Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs). In the case
of North-Eastern States, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir, the quantum of
assistance is 95 % of the total admissible expenditure. So far an amount of Rs
17.89 upto 22.12.2014 in the financial year 2014-15 crore has been released
under the Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and
Substance (Drugs) Abuse against the BE of Rs 50 crore.
Extent Pattern and Trend of Drug Abuse:
In a National Survey conducted by United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment, for the year 2000-2001(report published in 2004) it was estimated
that about 732 lakh persons in India were user of alcohol and drugs. Of these
87 lakh used Cannabis, 20 lakh used opiates and 625 lakh were users of Alcohol.
About 26%, 22% and 17% of the users of the three types respectively were found
to be dependent on/addicted to them. The survey also indicated that other drugs
such as Sedatives/Hypnotics, volatile substances, Hallucinogens, Stimulants and
pharmaceutical preparations were also abused. It revealed that most users were
in their early thirties, most had not sought treatment and very few were
currently undergoing treatment. In addition, regions of high prevalence of
Opiate use were Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana
and Western Rajasthan. However the sample size being small (40,697 males
within the age group of 12-60 years both in rural and urban areas) vis-a -vis
the country’s population, the estimates can at best be taken as indicative
only.
With a view to build a reliable data
base and in view of the changing situation, it was decided to take up another
detailed round of National Survey, through a professional organization, like
the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), to capture recent trends, patterns
and extent of drug use in the country. Accordingly, the NSSO had conducted a
Pilot Survey in the cities of Amritsar, Imphal and Mumbai in March 2010. The
NSSO brought out the report of the survey in January, 2011. After examining the
report of the pilot survey, certain issues relating to under-estimates,
non-coverage of certain age groups, limitation of pilot survey being confined
to cities of Amritsar, Mumbai and Imphal instead of entire States of Punjab/
Maharashtra/ Manipur and non-coverage of other potential selection units such
as, homeless/ pavement dwellers, street children, rag pickers, university/
college/ school campuses/ surroundings, highways/ roadside eateries, liquor
vendors, etc. were raised. Therefore, a more comprehensive and extended pilot
survey was suggested.
At present, a Working Group has been
constituted by National Statistical Commission with National Sample Survey
Organisation (NSSO) as nodal organisation to devise the modalities of advanced
pilot survey in the states of Punjab and Manipur and to conduct the same. The
matter is also being pursued with National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) to
expedite the survey proceedings. It is proposed to conduct a nationwide survey,
based on the experiences gained during the advanced pilot survey.
As the survey has been delayed and the
problem is acute in Punjab and Manipur, the Ministry has also initiated survey
work in these two States through Regional Resource and Training Centre (RRTC),
Punjab & RRTC Manipur respectively involving All India Institute of Medical
Science & Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal.
Awareness
Generation Programmes:
Earlier, in the year 2011-12, the Ministry had conducted an
awareness generation programme in two states namely Punjab and Manipur which
covered 3000 villages in ten districts of Punjab and 750 villages in seven
districts of Manipur. This programme was conducted through the Nehru Yuva
Kendra Sangathan. The addicts were identified and de-addiction camps
were organized for these addicts. The total project cost was Rs 3.5 crore. Due
to high rate of prevalence of addiction in Punjab, the Ministry has again assigned,
in October 2014, an awareness generation programme in the State through Nehru
Yuvak Kendra Sangathan.
Celebration
of International Day against Drug Abuse Illicit Trafficking on 26th June, 2014.
This
Ministry celebrates 26th June as International Day against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking. The Govt. of India has instituted a Scheme of the National
Awards for outstanding services in the field of prevention of Alcoholism &
Substance (Drug) Abuse from the year 2013. This year also, National Award function
was successfully conducted on 26th June 2014 and awards were
conferred by the Hon’ble President of India.
National
Policy on Drug Demand Reduction
The
draft National Policy on Drug Demand Reduction has been formulated and was
uploaded in November, 2014 on the Ministry's Website seeking
comments/suggestions from all the stakeholders. Priority Areas of Intervention
in the National policy for Drug Demand Reduction:
Education & Awareness Building at all levels.
Ø Treatment and
Rehabilitation (whole person recovery).
Ø Networking of
Service Providers.
Ø Capacity
Building & Training of service providers in the field of drug with a view
to
build up skilled manpower.
Ø Data Collection
and Management.
Ø Inter-Sectoral
Collaboration and International Cooperation.
Ø The policy also
proposes a system of accreditation of de-addiction Centres in order to
standardise the treatment /facilities provided in coordination with Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare and other stakeholders.
Revision of the cost norms of the Scheme of Prevention for
Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse
The present Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of
Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse has been revised w.e.f. 1.1.2015.
Issues
Relating to Transgender Persons
M/o Social Justice & Empowerment has been
designated as the Nodal Ministry for Transgender with effect from July 2012. An
Expert Committee was constituted to make an in-depth study of the problems
being faced by the Transgender Community. The Committee has submitted its
report on 27th January 2014, suggesting various measures to ameliorate the
condition of the transgender persons. The concerned Central Ministries and the
State/ UT Governments are being consulted for their suggestions/views on the
recommendations made by the Expert Committee and also confirm what action can
be taken at their end.
The Expert Committee has recommended that
“Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment may set up a Standing
Coordination Mechanism in the form of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for
coordinating the welfare activities being undertaken by the various Ministries
and State/UT Governments for transgender community comprising representatives
of concerned Central Govt. Ministries and representatives of State
Governments.” Accordingly, an Inter-Ministerial Committee has been constituted
to discuss these issues.
On 15th April, 2014, the Hon’ble Supreme
Court has, in a Writ Petition No. 400/2012 filed by National Legal Services
Authority (NLSA) delivered its judgement on the issues of Transgender Persons
directing the Central and State Governments to take various steps for the
welfare of the transgender community and also to examine the recommendations of
the Expert Committee based on the Legal declaration made in the above said
judgment. Till date three Inter Ministerial meetings have been conducted.
The Expert Committee, inter alia, recommended
formulating an Umbrella Scheme for empowerment of the transgender community.
Accordingly, the Ministry is in the process of formulating an Umbrella Scheme
for the welfare of transgender persons.
Scheme
for Rehabilitation of Beggars/Destitutes
The
word beggar or beggary is not mentioned in any of the lists of the
Constitution. However, as per entry-9 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule
of the Constitution, Relief of the disable and unemployable is a State subject.
As per entry-15 of the Concurrent List,'' Vagrancy'' is a concurrent Subject.
As information available, at present, 20 States and 2 UTs have either enacted
their own Anti Beggary Legislation or adopted the legislation enacted by other
States. Despite the fact that many States/ UTs have enacted laws relating to
beggary, however, the provisions of these of these legislations differ across
the Sates and their status of implementation including the measures taken for
rehabilitation of beggars, are also not uniform.
A
draft Scheme for Protection, Care, and Rehabilitation of Destitute is under
consideration.
Skill
development Training to youths
Ministry
of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Sport Authority of India, Jawahar Lal
Nehru Stadium, New Delhi-110003 and National Skill Development Agency
(NSDA) is monitoring the progress in regard to the persons being provided skill
development training to Youths vis-à-vis the annual target set for the
Department for the year 2014-15. The target for the year 2014-15 was fixed at
82,750 for the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Department has
provided the skill development training to 36480 youths till November, 2014
which is 44.08% through the training providers identified by National
Institutes/ Corporation and State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations.
All out efforts are being made to achieve the target till the end of the
current financial year 2014-15.
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