2012-13 - Stscodisha.gov.in

Annual Report 2012-13ST & SC DEVELOPMENT, MINORITIES &BACKWARD CLASSES WELFARE DEPARTMENT1.1 INTRODUCTIONOdisha State occupies a distinct place in ourcountry as it represents a unique blend of unityamidst diversity. There are 62 Scheduled Tribecommunities, each one different from the otherand 93 Scheduled Caste communities in theState. The State has the privilege of havinghighest number (13) of Particularly VulnerableTribal Groups (PVTGs). Both ST & SC togetherconstitute 38.66% of the total population of theState (ST-22.13% and SC-16.53% as per 2001census).The ST & SC Development and Minorities &Backward Classes Welfare Department functionsas the nodal Department for the welfare and allrounddevelopment of Scheduled Castes,Scheduled Tribes, Minorities and BackwardClasses. The basic objective of the Department isto formulate and coordinate policies,programmes, laws, regulations etc. for economic,educational and social development of thesecommunities. The principal aim is to empowerthe principal stake holders through theireducational, economic and social developmentin order to build self-reliance and self esteemamong them.1.2 MISSION AND VISIONIt is imperative to get a glimpse of the humblebeginning and development of the nodaldepartment, which initially cherished to providewelfare and development, with dedication,devotion, commitment and sincerity, for theweaker sections of communities, which wererelatively deprived, marginalized, encysted andisolated due to geo-historical and socio-politicalfactors. The initial phase which advocatedwelfare measures in consonance with ournational policy was expanded subsequently byinclusion of planned development intervention.Keeping in view the policy issues and options,the nodal department, for smooth execution ofactivities, witnessed structural-functionalchanges. The vision and mission of the ST & SCDevelopment and Minorities & BackwardClasses Welfare Department is all-rounddevelopment of the Scheduled Castes, ScheduledTribes, Other Backward Classes and Minoritycommunities vis a vis other sections of thesociety. The policies, programmes and schemeshave been designed in consonance with theoverall goals and objectives as enshrined inArticles 46 (Part IV), 16, 17, 19, 164, 244, 275,330, 332,335,338,339,341, 342 and 366 of theConstitution of India for which a four-prongedstrategy has been evolved and implemented• Programmes for economic development;• Programmes for social empowerment;• Programmes aimed at elimination of allforms of exploitation & for projectivelegislation;• Nodal agency for monitoring flow to TSP& SCSP.1.3 BRIEF HISTORY AND ACKGROUNDThe execution of ameliorative measures for thewelfare of Scheduled Tribes and thedevelopment of Scheduled Areas were initiallyexclusively carried out by the Tribal & RuralWelfare Department through Panchayati RajInstitutions. The Department in 1965-66combined the functions of the Secretariat andthe Heads of Department, which consisted of;(1) Secretary(2) Director of Tribal & Rural Welfare-cum-JointSecretary(3) One Financial Adviser-cum-Deputy Secretary(4) One Under Secretary, and(5) One Special Officer-cum-Under Secretary1