Friday, December 25, 2009

[ZESTCaste] Negatives in affirmative action

http://beta.thehindu.com/arts/books/article70558.ece

Negatives in affirmative action
D. Murali Share

THE HINDU BOOK REVIEW: Blocked by Caste: Economic Discrimination in
Modern India - Valuable research.

Scholarships for Dalit children are seen as enabling incentives
provided by the State to facilitate their education, but there can be
a flip side too to these incentives, as an essay included in 'Blocked
by Caste: Economic Discrimination in Modern India' (www.oup.com)
reveals.

Discussions around scholarships largely centre round their meagre
value, lack of adequate coverage, delay in receiving funds, and
malpractices, the essay's author Geetha B. Nambissan notes. What
appears significant and little commented upon is the manner in which
scholarships tend to reinforce stigmatising of Dalit identity as
'lower castes,' she adds.

"Ironically, to claim incentives under affirmative action programmes
and facilitate inclusion, those who have suffered from disadvantage
must publicly proclaim identities that are still the target of
discriminatory practices. They are often required to do so in the
school assembly and before their classmates, ostensibly to
'facilitate' their identification as SC students and thereafter to
receive fellowships and other incentives."

Findings of Nambissan's survey show that the majority reported of
having 'suffered considerable anguish their identities are brought
into public 'gaze' again and yet again, and they are constantly at the
receiving end of disparaging barbs from peers, office staff, as well
as teachers.'

Disappointed that caste-based discrimination in education does not
find a mention in policy documents, the exploratory study discussed in
the essay discovers that exclusionary practices continue to flourish
in the spheres of water and food, the traditionally potent sites of
discrimination.

Disturbing examples include: 'the washing of taps after Dalits drink
water and forcing them to give right of way to general caste
students,' and not permitting 'Dalit children to enter the mid-day
meal kitchen while it was possible for other caste children to do so,
making it easier for the latter to ask for and receive an extra
helping.'

Teachers and school administrators have a responsibility in building a
culture within schools that encourages participation of children from
hitherto educationally deprived and socially discriminated groups and
an environment that values their dignity and provides social respect,
the author urges.

"When teachers fail to confront, ignore, and actually indulge in
unequal treatment of Dalit children, they give legitimacy to sites of
exclusion and reinforce discriminatory practices within schools."

The book, edited by Sukhadeo Thorat and Katherine S. Newman, with a
foreword by Kaushik Basu, has insightful other essays, too, on topics
ranging from jobs to markets, from health care to property rights.

Valuable research.


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[ZESTCaste] Nepal: Dalits no longer dine on animal carcasses

http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13249

Dalits no longer dine on animal carcasses


PARBAT, Dec 25: Getting calls to take away the dead bodies of cow, ox
or buffalo for feast have become a thing of the past for members of
the Dalit community here.


Dalits living at southern VDCs in Parbat—Pakhapani, Beulibash,
Saraukhola, Huwas and Bhorle—no longer eat animal corpses that they
had been doing since time immemorial.

The change was possible after children took initiatives. Self-Struggle
Child Group, an active local organisation of children based at Huwas
VDC, spread awareness among Dalits against eating animal corpses.

Of the 14 Dalit families at Huwas, hardly two eat animal carcasses,
said Jaumaya Hitan, chairperson of the group. We punish those found
eating the dead bodies of animals, she said.

"Not only in Huwas, Dalits of other VDCs have also quit the tradition
of consuming animal carcasses."

There are more changes. The once dirty Dalit settlements have become
clean now and Dalit husbands, who used to drink alcohol, have given up
drinking.

"Dalit villages boast of clean environment. Equally, peace prevails
here," said Surya Thapa, another member of the child group.

Those, who drank like sailors and showed non-cooperative attitudes in
the past, have been working with their families in unison quitting
alcohol, she added.

Published on 2009-12-25 14:08:23


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[ZESTCaste] ‘Go serve the poor’

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/Go-serve-the-poor/Article1-490248.aspx


Shekhar Iyer, Hindustan Times
Email Author
New Delhi, December 24, 2009
First Published: 23:27 IST(24/12/2009)
Last Updated: 23:27 IST(24/12/2009)

'Go serve the poor'

"Serve the people. Politics can come later."

This was the gist of new BJP president Nitin Gadkari's message to his
party's leaders and workers at his press conference on Thursday — his
first after taking over.

"We should all do something on the ground for the poor, the Dalits and
the suffering farmers," said Gadkari (52). Antodaya is giving priority
to the last person in the queue. It should be our objective. I'd like
every BJP member to be actively involved with vikas (development) and
seva (service) in his or her area."

He pointed out that he had done so himself in Nagpur (from where he
hails), setting up projects to help around 500 widows of Vidarbha
farmers who committed suicide.

Taking over at a time when the BJP has faced repeated electoral
losses, and is plagued by internal dissension, Gadkari seemed keen to
deflect the party's focus from power grabbing to social service.

"What are we waiting for?" he asked. "Power? We can change the
scenario even without being in power. Let's do something for the poor
right away."

The new president's renewed focus on the poor could well be an attempt
to match Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's repeated forays into backward and
Dalit areas. But Gadkari was generous to his Congress rival. "It's a
good thing. Karne dijiye. Meri Shubh kamnayen. (Let him continue. My
good wishes)," he replied when asked about Rahul's efforts.

Facing a volley of questions on issues like Hindutva and the Ram
temple at Ayodhya, Gadkari steadfastly refused to get provoked. "Our
stand is known," he said. "A new president does not mean our ideology
has changed."

Gadkari's measured, low-key remarks seemed a deliberate strategy to
draw attention from himself, while he set about rebuilding the party.
He promised a new work culture. "Indiscipline will not be tolerated,"
he said.

There will be quick decisions, wide consultations and performance
audit at every level."


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[ZESTCaste] DSS convener calls for struggle against acquisition of farm lands by government

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/43129/political-parties-dividing-dalits.html

DSS convener calls for struggle against acquisition of farm lands by government
'Political parties dividing Dalits'
Kolar, Dec 24, DH News Service:

The state convener of Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti
Venkatagiriyayya called upon farmers to wage a struggle against
acquisition of agricultural lands by the government.

new light: State convener of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti Venkatagiriyayya
inaugurating a convention organised to mark the death anniversary of B
R Ambedkar in Kolar on Thursday. dh photo"These are the times of
registering cases against farmers who stage a peaceful dharna in front
of the Deputy Commissioner's office. Hence, a struggle on a larger
scale is imperative to redress issues such as acquisition of
agricultural lands. The problems of farmers will not be addressed by
toned-down protests," he said at a convention organised to mark the
death anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar here on Thursday.

Vested interests

Congress, BJP and JD(S), which declared construction of "Swabhimana
Karnataka"as their sole objective are now working against the purpose.
The sole purpose of the principal political parties is to create a
rift in Dalit classes. False cases are being registered against Dalits
who demand their legitimate rights.

Vested interests of the caste system are raising their ugly head once
again and attempts are being made to suppress the Dalit classes which
stand against exploitation. "None of the political parties is ready to
check this sort of oppression. On account of this, several organised
struggles have not succeeded in heralding a change," he observed.

The political parties succeeded in fuelling dissidence in Dalit
organisation by offering prime posts to leaders. Those in the vanguard
of the Dalit movement who raised their voice against exploitation
became mute spectators. Reports submitted by several committees on
atrocities on Dalit have been neglected by ruling establishments.

Farmers neglected

While the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has declared a grant of Rs 70
crore to Rashtrottana Parishat which propagates the Manu philosophy, S
M Krishna, during his tenure as the chief minister waived off a
whopping sum of Rs 300 crore which should have paid by arrack
contractors as tax. However, no benefit has accrued to the farmers by
these measures.

Even as Dalits were becoming aware of the reservation, the governments
hesitated to implement reservation in private sector. The services of
the people who secured job by furnishing false caste certificates have
been regularised. While Constitution provides 18 pc reservation, only
9 pc is made available. "Dalits have been cheated by denying the
facility guaranteed under the Constitution," he alleged.

District convener of Dallit Sangharsha Samiti Sulikunte Ramesh,
lecturer K Srinivasa and others were present on the occasion.


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[ZESTCaste] Gadkari praises Rahul Gandhi for visiting Dalit households

 

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Gadkari-praises-Rahul-Gandhi-for-visiting-Dalit-households/558748

Gadkari praises Rahul Gandhi for visiting Dalit households

Agencies Posted online: Thursday , Dec 24, 2009 at 1940 hrs
New Delhi : BJP President Nitin Gadkari had a word of praise for Rahul
Gandhi saying the young Congress leader is doing a good job in
spending time with Dalit families.

In reply to a question whether he felt Gandhi was visiting Dalit
households, sharing meals and spending nights with those family for
votebank politics, Gadkari said, "It's good, let him do it. My good
wishes are with him, if he is doing a good job."

Earlier, in his interaction with the media, the new BJP chief said he
did not believe in caste, sect or religion and contended there should
be no discrimination on the basis of these factors.

"I say this from the core of my heart. Our (people from different
religions) culture is the same," he said.

Though BJP believe in justice to all and appeasement of none, the
party is widely misunderstood, he lamented. Gadkari defined as a
"tragedy" the difference between BJP's "image" and the "reality".

He said his party believed in "rise of the last man in the queue (antyodaya)".

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[ZESTCaste] Bhagat Singh On Dalit Question

http://countercurrents.org/yadav231209.htm

Bhagat Singh On Dalit Question

By Ashok Yadav

23 December, 2009
Countercurrents.org

Bhagat Singh finds a place not only among India's but world's greatest
revolutionaries. His life, work, struggle and the way he kissed and
embraced death bring him in league of world's great revolutionaries
such as Socrates, Bruno, Joan of Arc, Che Guevara etc. His martyrdom
will continue to inspire many generations of revolutionaries to
sacrifice their lives in defence of truth, justice and freedom. He was
a rare thinker. The mastery he could acquire in the art and science of
revolution even at a tender age of twenty three when he died is very
rare. We still feel the loss that our country suffered on his untimely
death. It was not for nothing that the British imperialists hanged him
and the future rulers of India preferred to remain silent on his death
sentence.

We are well aware of Bhagat Singh's thoughts on topics such as
socialism, revolution, India's independence, working class movements,
religion, god etc. His life and death centred around these concerns.
We are generally not aware of his take on caste system as he has not
written much on this. It may be due to the fact that he was a Sikh
where caste based differentiation and discrimination is not as acute
as among the Hindus.

Yet his article 'Achoot Samasya' (The Untouchability Problem) is very
important because we get glimpses of his revolutionary thoughts on
this basic problem of Indian society. Now when in the post-mandal
phase caste and dalit questions have acquired paramount importance in
socio-political discourse it has become relevant to understand his
thoughts on this question.

Bhagat Singh wrote this article in the month of June, 1928 as the
volume of his collected works indicates. Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar
had already made history by burning 'Manusmriti' with his followers on
December 25, 1927. On March 20, 1927 Baha Saheb with his followers had
touched water of Mahad pond which was hitherto not accessible to the
achoots (untouchables). Baba Saheb with his followers had been
demanding right of separate electorates from the British government.
The year also witnessed the publication of Katherine Mayo's 'Mother
India' and furore over the content of the book. Mahatma Gandhi dubbed
the book as a gutter inspector's report. The evils of Indian
particularly Hindu society were most nakedly, mercilessly and
authentically exposed in the book. The moral hypocrisy, insincerity
and hollowness of the elites of Hindu society on the question of
eradicating social evils were brought forth before the world. In his
article 'Achoot Samasya' Bhagat Singh has quoted a speech of Noor
Mohammad, a legislature in the then Bombay council, which also finds a
place in 'Mother India'. Not only this Bhagat Singh also quotes Mayo:
'Those who would be free must themselves strike the blow'. Thus three
major events of 1927 viz. Mahad Satyagrah, burning of Manusmriti and
publication of 'Mother India' had brought the social question onto the
surface of the national movement with a vengeance.

In a speech in Bombay council in 1926 Noor Mohammad had demolished the
Congress demand for political rights from the British government. He
famously spoke, "If the Hindu society refuses to allow other human
beings, fellow creatures so that to attend public schools and if...the
president of local boards representing so many lakhs of people in this
house refuses to allow his fellows and brothers the elementary human
rights of having water to drink, what right have they to ask for more
rights from the bureaucracy? Before we accuse people coming from other
lands, we should see how we ourselves behave towards our own
people.....How can we ask for greater political rights when we
ourselves deny elementary rights of human beings." Bhagat Singh quotes
Noor Mohammad in original English and then translates it in
vernacular. He is not content with just quoting Noor Mohammad. He
whole heartedly supports the stand of Noor Mohammad, "What he says is
fully justified, but as he is a Muslim, he will be accused of pitching
for conversion of untouchable Hindus in Islam." He then supports
religious conversion, "If you treat him worse than animals, they will
convert to other religions, where they will get more human rights and
will be treated like human beings. Then your lament that the Muslim
and the Christian are harming Hindu fold will be futile." In all these
quotes Bhagat Singh's thoughts are strikingly similar to those of Dr
Ambedkar. Yet one thing is remarkable that by 1928 when Bhagat Singh
penned this article Dr Ambedkar had not yet declared his intention to
leave Hindu fold and to embrace other religion. The thoughts of Bhagat
Singh on religious conversions have become even more relevant
particularly in the backdrop of the then Prime Minister Atal Behari
Vajpayee's advocacy of national debate on religious conversion after
gruesome killings of Graham Staines and his two children. Till now
they have been challenged by Dr Ambedkar's thoughts. Bhagat Singh's
thoughts too are confronting them.

Bhagat Singh recognised that the caste system basically promotes
contemptuous feelings for labour and, therefore, has blocked India's
rise. He writes in most simple words, ".....Disrespect for even urgent
types of work grew among the people. We scorn the Julahas. Even
weavers are treated as untouchables. This has retarded our
development." Obviously Bhagat Singh links development to the social
justice unlike the today's model of development where economic
development has been completely delinked from social justice.

Bhagat Singh supported the untouchables' ('dalits' in today's
parlance) demands for separate electorate system. On this point also
he is standing in league with Dr Ambedkar. On March 23, 1931 Bhagat
Singh was hanged along with his two comrades. Had he been alive he
would have supported Dr Ambedkar in his battle with Mahatma Gandhi
over separate electorate system in 1932. He is unmistakable on this
count, "We do understand that their organising themselves separately
and, being equivalent to the Muslim in population, demanding
equivalent rights, are welcome indications. Either do away with caste
based discriminations or bestow separate rights to them. Councils and
assemblies must strive to give them equal rights to avail facilities
of schools and colleges, wells and roads. It should not be lip service
but they themselves should lead them to public facilities. They should
ensure admission of their children in schools. But the moot question
is, in an assembly where in the name of religion people raise hue and
cry over a legislative bill to curb child marriage, how can they dare
to embrace the untouchables. It is, therefore, necessary that they
should have their own representatives so that they are able to secure
more rights for themselves." It is noteworthy that Dr Amedkar had
crystallised the demand for separate electorate for dalits only by
first round table conference in 1930. But other dalit protagonists had
been demanding separate electorate for themselves. By supporting
separate electorate for dalits Bhagat Singh stands in opposition to
the social imperialists and wins everlasting love, respect and
confidence of the dalits. Gandhiji too opposed practices of
untouchability prevalent in the society but he was dead against
bestowing rights of separate electorate system to the dalits. By
supporting dalits' demand for rights of separate electorate system he
proved that he was their true friend. As Kanshiram has contended in
his famous polemic 'The Age of Stooges', the Poona Pact that denied
rights of separate electorate system to the dalits became the chief
tool to prevent the emergence of independent leadership from among the
dalits. To repeal Poona Pact and win right of separate electorate
system for themselves is still occupying a place of prominence in the
Dalit agenda and therefore Bhagat Singh is still relevant for Dalit
politics.

The militant Bhagat Singh suddenly turns bitter in his article and
says, "Laton Ke Bhoot Baton Se Nahi Bhagte" i.e. "Those fit to be
thrashed cannot be dismissed by words." He goes on," Unite, be self
dependent and then challenge the whole of society. Then you will see
no one will dare to deny you your rights. Don't allow others to
deceive you. Don't expect anything from others." But before this he
arouses pride in dalits , " The so called untouchables, the true
servicemen and brothers of the people, rise. Know your history. None
but you were the muscle of the army of Guru Govind Singh. It was on
your strength that Shivaji could do what he did and for which Shivaji
is still alive in history. Your sacrifices have been inscribed in
golden letters." Then he quotes Mayo, "Those who would be free must
themselves strike the blow."

In this article Bhagat Singh puts forward an important formulation
which still holds great importance for dalit politics. He warns dalits
against bureaucracy, "Don't get trapped by bureaucracy. They are not
willing to reach you help. Rather they are in look out how to make you
pawns of their designs. This capitalistic bureaucracy is the real
cause of your poverty and slavery. Never make an alliance with it.
Beware of their machinations. Then everything will be set aright.."
This is very important as Bhagat Singh does not blame directly the
British regime for their miseries. Instead he takes an indirect route
to blame capitalistic bureaucracy. He does not even name it "British
bureaucracy." So far as Bhagat Singh desists from directly blaming the
British regime he is in conformity with Dr Ambedkar who too did not
blame the Britishers directly for the ills of the dalit. However if we
watch the scenario of dalit politics today the words of Bhagat Singh
appear prophetic. The biggest faultline of dalit politics today is
that it is heavily dependent on bureaucracy in two ways. First, it
takes guidance from dalit bureaucracy so far as fixing the agenda of
dalit politics is concerned. Second, dalit politics when it comes in
power like Mayawati has done in UP again depends entirely on
bureaucracy for preparation as well as for implementation of
government welfare measures. All talks are centred on how to increase
dalit participation in state apparatuses. Dalit as well as other
political parties professing their agenda of social justice are in the
habit of talking about that when they come in power they are helpless
in reaching government welfare measures to the targeted population
because of low representation of SC/ST/OBC in bureaucracy. They are
unable to understand that so far as Brahminic system continues there
will perhaps not come the day when bureaucracy will have sufficient
SC/ST/OBC representation. It is the bureaucracy that supports
Brahminism and SC/ST/OBC bureaucrats are compelled to make compromises
in order to survive in the Brahminic bureaucracy. No system has ever
been changed by people who became part and parcel of that system.
Despite sixty years of SC/ST and fifteen years of OBC reservation in
central services their percentage has remained abysmally low in elite
services of IAS, IPS, IRS etc. The Hindustan Times, dated December 21,
2009 carries a news item based on figures provided by Minister of
State for Personnel that states that of 88 Secretary level officers in
Government of India there is no dalit, of 66 Additional Secretaries
only one is dalit, of 249 Joint Secretaries only 13 are dalits and of
471 directors only 31 are dalits. So it is essential that besides
doing everything to widen the scope of reservation so as to increase
SC/ST/OBC representation in bureaucracy our attention should also move
towards how to restructure the administrative system so as to
decentralise and democratise it. Though SC/ST/OBC participation in
bureaucracy has not reached to the desired level, we have seen
substantial increase in dalit bahujan legislators and people's
representatives in parliament, state assemblies and local government
bodies. In a true and effective democratic set up, elected
representatives are everywhere entrusted and delegated the powers of
executives to oversee and supervise the implementation of governmental
projects as well as maintenance of law and order. In our country in
order to vest power in the Brahminic bureaucracy the MLAs and MPs have
been reduced to mere ceremonial figures having no authority in his or
her constituency. An MLA or MP is a helpless onlooker of excesses of a
police and administrative officer in his or her constituency. All
powers are concentrated in DMs, SPs and then in the Chief Minister of
the province. It is not without reason that it is commonly commented
that the administrative system of the country is run by DM (District
Magistrate), CM (Chief Minister) and PM (Prime Minister). Such
centralised administrative system can never provide relief, welfare
and succour to the poor and hapless citizens of the country of whom
the overwhelming majority are dalit bahujans. So the best course of
action for the sake of democracy and dalit bahujan empowerment at
grass root level will be to take away to the maximum possible extent
the administrative powers from bureaucracy and devolve them to the
elected people's representatives. In such a backdrop the observation
and warning of Bhagat Singh to the dalits to beware of capitalistic
bureaucracy assumes significance. Unfortunately, the dalit discourse
spends all its energy in targeting Hindu religion to such an extent
that other pressing issues remain neglected. Capitalistic bureaucracy
is one such issue that has seldom been taken up by dalit intellectuals
in their discourse. State question has an important place in strategy
and tactics of any democratic movement.

By the end of the article Bhagat Singh provides another important
formulation. He writes, "You are the real proletariat...get
organised." This is a great lesson to the Indian left who has never
taken into account the social question in determining the class who
would provide vanguard sections of revolution. The dalits are
economically and socially the most oppressed sections of Indian
society. Hence Bhagat Singh takes the position that they are the real
proletariats.

In Indian society the location of a person in the caste system
determines his consciousness. Capitalism in India is not more than one
hundred fifty or two hundreds old but caste system dates back to
ancient times. So the social-political consciousness arising out of
hundreds of years old caste system is deeply ingrained in our psyche.
Improvement in economic conditions of life may dampen revolutionary
fervour of an upper caste proletariat but may fuel social
consciousness of a dalit proletariat. Improved economic conditions of
life may provide him the leisure in life giving him the opportunity
and occasion to study the history of oppression, subjugation and
discrimination faced by his ancestors. So the economic criteria alone
cannot help a theorist of social revolution to determine which class
is the real proletariat in the concrete social conditions of Indian
society. By taking into account the social as well as economic
conditions of life Bhagat Singh reaches at the conclusion that the
dalits are the real proletariat of this land.

Bhagat Singh concludes the article, "Bring revolution through social
movements and then be prepared for political and economic
revolutions." This is yet another important formulation of Bhagat
Singh. Right from Jotiba Phule to Dr Ambedkar all have stressed upon
the importance of social revolution in bringing about the final
revolutions in political and economic sectors. Bhagat Singh who
otherwise devoted major part of his short life for socialism and
national liberation did not digress much from India's great social
revolutionaries in prescribing the trajectory of revolution. Bhagat
Singh had started off his revolutionary life by making national
liberation from subjugation of British rule the sole preoccupation. In
a very short span of time he had realised that the ground for
political-economic revolution in India cannot be prepared unless
social revolution is effected. This was a great and stirring journey
of Bhagat Singh in the realm of philosophy.

(Note: All the quotations of Bhagat Singh from the article have been
translated in English by this writer from the Hindi version. The
article in question has been taken from Bhagat Singh's collected works
published by Rajkamal Prakashan)


------------------------------------

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[ZESTCaste] FOUR NATIONAL AWARDS INSTITUTED FOR ERADICATING UNTOUCHABILITY

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=56461

Thursday, December 24, 2009
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment


Rs. 1730 crore allocated for providing grants-in-aid to NGOs for
welfare of weaker sections

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF RS. 211.79 CRORE TO 43194 DISABLED BY NHFDC

FOUR NATIONAL AWARDS INSTITUTED FOR ERADICATING UNTOUCHABILITY
15:14 IST

YEAR END REVIEW-2009
M/O SOCIAL JUSICE & EMPOWERMENT

As envisaged in the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) of the
Government, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is
committed to carry forward the basic agenda of social justice and
security of the society at large. In the year 2009, many such
initiatives were carried out to empower the weaker sections of the
society. In fact, the mandate of the Ministry is to implement the
schemes/programmes for educational, economic and social empowerment of
Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Persons with Disability,
Senior Citizens and Victims of substance abuse. An outlay of Rs. 1730
crore has been allocated for providing grants-in-aid to the Non
Governmental Organizations (NGOs) under various schemes/programmes to
be implemented by them for the welfare of these target groups during
the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12).

While inaugurating a two day Conference of State Welfare/Social
Justice Ministers, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh . stated
that Government has proposed to take up a new scheme on a pilot basis,
called "Pradhan Mantri Adarsh gram Yojana" (PMAGY) for integrated
development 0f 1,000 villages, each having more than 50% SC
population. Some of the important subjects, which were discussed in
the Conference included measures to curb atrocities against weaker
sections, implementation of Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan, rehabilitation
of manual scavengers, Scholarship and Hostel Schemes for Scheduled
Castes and Other Backward Classes, Amendments to Persons with
Disabilities Act, Schemes in the Disability sector, and implementation
of the Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act, which
Parliament had passed in December, 2007.


EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Ministry has initiated the process of amending the Persons with
Disabilities Act, 1955 in order to harmonize it with the United
Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The
Ministry has initiated the process of preparing the First Country
Report of India as per article 35 of the UN Convention on Rights of
Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), on measures taken to give effect
to its obligations under the Convention and on progress made in that
regard, by May 2010. The State Governments/Union Territory
Administrations and Central Ministries/Departments have now been asked
to furnish their action taken report, to prepare First Country Report
of India.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved revision of
the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme bein implemented by the
Ministry, with an outlay of Rs.500 crore in the 11th Plan. Under this
scheme, Grant-in-aid is being provided to non-governmental
organisations by the Central Government for rehabilitation of persons
with disabilities. The CCEA also approved the revision of cost norms
under the scheme w.e.f. 1.4.2009, considering the increase in the
Consumer Price Index since the cost norms were last revised in 1999.

The norms relating to stipend and transport allowance for
beneficiaries, honoraria for technical staff and building rent and
maintenance are being increased by 33-40%. Honorarium for
non-technical staff has been increased by about 25%. The increase for
teaching and training material, equipment for vocational training and
sports, computer hardware and specialized software ranges from 28% to
50%. The additional financial implication of the revision of the cost
norms is Rs.90 crore.
This revision of the norms, which comes after a decade, will give a
boost to the implementation of projects under the scheme that are
implemented by about 700 voluntary agencies, benefitting about 2 lakh
persons with disabilities across the country every year.

In 2008-09, 238 NGOs working in the field of rehabilitation of
Mentally Retarded Children were provided financial assistance under
the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS).

The National Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation (NHFDC) has
provided 1% rebate on rate of interest to women with disabilities in
all its financial schemes
The NHFDC has provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 211.79
crore to about 43194 disabled people since its inception in 1997.

This Ministry promotes the self-employment of persons with visual
impairments through vocational training and loans on concessionals
rates. Their employment in the Government is mandated through
reservation, against identified suitable posts all levels. There has
been gradual increase in employment of persons with disabilities in
the Government. After continuous persuasion of the Ministry, 10
organized civil services have been identified as suitable for
appointment of persons with visual impairments'.

The Ministry has achieved significant progress in changing the overall
life style of persons with mental retardation. National Institute for
the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Secunderabad, Anhdra Pradesh, with
regional centres at Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkota has, so far, produced
about 3000 professionals through various Long Term programmes and
imparted short training service training to 1.84 lakh beneficiaries
which include professionals, parents, teachers etc. They have provided
services to more than 56,000 persons with mental retardation till
date. NIMH has provided technical support to many of the special
schools in the sector. The Institute has successfully completed 56
research projects, produced more than 100 dissertations and has
published & presented research papers in National and International
journals conferences. It also has more than 90 publications in the
form of books to its credit.

The Ministry has also proposed to simplify the certification procedure
for Persons with Disabilities which would not only simplify but also
decentralize the process down to primary and community health centers.
A fully accessible website will soon developed and launched shortly.
The State governments are also urged to make their websites fully
accessible to Persons with Disabilities.

DEVELOPMENT OF SCs AND OBCs

Eradicating Untouchability

Four National Awards, one for each Region, carrying amounts of Rs. 2
lakh for individual activists and Rs. 5 lakh for non-Governmental
Organizations have been instituted for Eradicating Untouchability'.

Since inter-caste marriages are an effective instrument of combating
the evil practice of casteism, the Chief Ministers of States have been
asked to consider increasing the incentive amount for inter-caste
marriages to at least Rs. 50,000 of which 50 % would be borne by way
of central assistance. The State governments of Haryana, Orissa,
Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have enhanced incentive amount to Rs.
50,000. The Government of Uttar Pradesh also provides incentive amount
of Rs. 50,000. The Government of Goa has increased the incentive
amount Rs. 1 lakh.

The State governments have been asked to enlist 25 most ghastly crimes
committed against SCs/STs and follow it up closely to provide for
speedy trial and ensuring of exemplary punishment to the perpetrators
of such atrocities. As pendency of court cases is very high, the State
Governments may like to set up Exclusively Special Courts,
particularly, in districts where high pendency, so that the cases
registered under POA Act are effectively disposed off. The Ministry
would provide 50 % central assistance towards setting up of Exclusive
Special Courts. Similarly, Special Police Stations in identified
areas/atrocity prone areas may be set up to instill confidence and
help in quick investigation of atrocities committed.

The State governments have also been requested that officers concerned
with the implementation of the provisions of the Acts are essentially
sensitized and imparted special training to familiarize them about the
special laws. Besides, State Public Service Commission may also
incorporate in their syllabus a compulsory paper on the subject of PCR
and POA Acts.

'A new Scheme has been started in Dr. Ambedkar Foundation. The Scheme
is in the nature of contingency arrangement to provide instant
monetary relief to the Scheduled Caste victims of relatively heinous
offences of atrocities under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled
Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The relief amount up to
Rs. 5 lakh is payable to each victim with the approval of the
Chairperson of the Foundation. In case of the murder of an earning
member of a family the quantum of relief has been enhanced from Rs. 2
lakh to Rs. 5 lakh. This relief amount is in addition to the
admissible relief amount under Rule 12 (4) of the Scheduled Castes and
the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities), Rules, 1995. An
amount of Rs. 1 crore per year is earmarked for the Scheme'.

'Another new scheme called "Babu Jagjivan Ram National Relief to SC
Victims of Atrocities Scheme" has also been formulated in Babu
Jagjivan Ram National Foundation under the Ministry.. The Scheme would
be in the nature of contingency arrangement to provide instant
monetary relief to the victims of relatively heinous offences of
atrocities under POA Act. The relief amount upto Rs. 5 lakh would be
paid to each victim. This relief amount is in addition to the
admissible relief amount under Rule 12 (4) of the Scheduled Castes and
the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities), Rules, 1995',
informed the Minister.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has installed a Toll Free
Connection at its Headquarters (No. 1800118888) to receive distress
calls from victims or on their behalf. Under Rules 16 and 17 of the
POA Rules, 1995, the meetings of the State and District level
Vigilance and Monitoring Committee should be held regularly, as per
the periodicity prescribed, to review the implementation of POA Act,
regularly.

Details of budget allocation made under various schemes for Scheduled
Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
during the last three years is as under:

(Rs. in crore)

Programme/Schemes

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

I Scheduled Castes

1135.50

1450.50

1685.50

II. Scheduled Tribes

1656.90

1719.71

2121.00

III. Other Backward Classes

86.99

149.50

202.50

The Ministry has requested for suitable enhancement in the XI Plan
outlay for its various schemes.

NSKFDC

The Union Cabinet gave its approval to the enhancement in the
authorized share capital of National Safai Karamcharis Finance &
Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
100% equity contribution is provided to NSKFDC out of the Central
Government budget. The existing authorized share capital of the
Corporation is Rs.200 crore, which has been fully paid up.
Accordingly, a proposal was placed before the Cabinet to enhance the
authorized share capital of NSKFDC from the existing Rs.200 crore to
Rs.300 crore to enable higher coverage of Safai Karamcharis under its
schemes. It is expected that as a result of enhancement in the
authorized share capital to Rs.300 crore approximately 40,000
additional beneficiaries will be covered during remaining period of XI
Plan.

NSKFDC provides concessional loans to manual scavengers and safai
karamcharis and their dependents for economically and financially
viable income generating and self employment projects, and grants for
training of beneficiaries. Upto 2007-08, NSKFDC has assisted 1.57 lakh
safai karamcharis and their dependents. During this period, the
Government provided equity support of Rs.199.99 crore and the
Corporation extended loan of Rs.390.46 crore through its State
Channelising Agencies.
Tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis has now been
extended by a further period of one year beyond 31.03.209, i.e. upto
31.03.2010.

National Backward Classes FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NBCFDC)
has achieved a distinction of being the recipient of MOU Award
becoming one of the top Ten PSEs for the fourth time in 2006-07 rated
by the Department of Public Enterprises, Government of India.

Construction of Hostels for SC & OBC Boys and Girls

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved revision of the
existing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Construction of Hostel for SC &
OBC Boys and Girls (OBC component) during the remaining period of 11th
Five year Plan with the following norms:

(i) Existing cost sharing pattern with States is 50:50. This will be
changed to 90:10 in the case of North-Eastern States including Sikkim,
while the existing pattern will continue in the case of other States.

(ii) So far, there was no involvement of NGOs in implementation of the
Scheme. After this revision, suitable voluntary organisations will
also be eligible to receive assistance under the Scheme. Funding
pattern for them will be 45% each by Central and State Governments and
10% by NGOs.

(iii) A new component of financial assistance has been approved i.e. a
one-time non-recurring grant @ Rs.2500/- per student will be provided
for essential furniture and equipment.

(iv) Under the existing Scheme, there have been wide variations in the
per unit cost of the hostels received from the State Governments and a
need was felt to bring about some uniformity in the minimum physical
infrastructure provided to OBC students. Accordingly, minimum physical
and financial norms for a 100 seated hostel has been approved as
under:


(a) The total built up area of a hostel will be 1215 sq.mtr. including
dormitory, kitchen, and dining hall, toilet/bath, common room/reading
room, medical room, staff quarter etc. which means the built up area
per resident will be 12.15 sq.mtr.


(b) The total cost of a hostel including the cost of construction and
other essential / recreational facilities will be approximately
Rs.1.37 crore which will be shared between the Centre and State, which
means the cost per seat will be about Rs.1.40 lakh.


(c) The above minimum physical and financial norms have been approved
for betterment of the existing hostel conditions. However, the State
Governments may provide additional facilities to the residents at a
higher cost and such additional cost will have to be borne by the
States.

The constitution enjoins upon the State to promote with special care
the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the
people. The Centrally sponsored Scheme of Construction of Hostels for
SC and OBC Boys and Girls (OBC Component) is being implemented since
1998-99 to address the problem of educational backwardness of OBCs.
Many a time, rural students especially from those belonging to weaker
sections have to give up their pursuit of education because their
villages do not have Secondary schools and colleges and adequate
hostel facilities are not available for them at reasonable cost, at
places where such educational institutions are available. Therefore,
the Scheme for OBCs provides assistance to State Governments for
construction of hostels up to 100 seats capacity for OBC boys and
Girls studying at School and college level. At least 1/3rd of the
hostels are meant to be constructed exclusively for girls and 5% of
the total seats are reserved for disabled students. However, students
belonging to the creamy layer (income limit of which is currently Rs.
4.50 lakh per annum) are not eligible for admission to these hostels.

The Scheme is being implemented through the State Governments and
Union Territory Administrations while Voluntary organizations are not
eligible for financial assistance under the existing scheme. Central
assistance to States is provided on a 50:50 basis, while 100%
assistance is provided to UTs and Central Government Institutions.

The allocation of funds under the Scheme for the remaining two years
of 11th Plan i.e. 2010-2012 is Rs.209 crore. It is proposed to
sanction about 30,000 number of seats under the revised Scheme during
the period 2010-2012.

The OBC students whose parents' income does not exceed Rs.4.50 lakh
per annum will be benefited with the result that the target group will
get access to residential accommodation, while pursuing studies away
from home.

The scheme addresses the problem of educational backwardness of OBC
students and their social integration with the mainstream of society
by helping them in pursuit of their education through adequate hostel
facilities in the vicinity of educational institutions to bring about
equity in the society.
Laying down of physical and financial norms will bring about
uniformity and improve accountability of grantee State/Government
Institutions / NGOs etc.


The expenditure involved is Rs.209 crore for 2010-12 for about 30000 seats.

Under the revised Scheme, it is proposed to cover un-served districts
of different States where adequate hostel facilities are not available
for OBC students.

The Scheme is being implemented from 1998-99 and not
revised so far. The scheme aims at providing better educational
opportunities to students belonging to OBCs. Since the inception of
the scheme and up to the 10th Plan (2006-07), 573 hostels (39606
seats) have been sanctioned. During the first year of the 11th Plan,
95 hostels with 6025 seats have been sanctioned. During 2008-09, a sum
of Rs.34.55 crore has been sanctioned to States for construction of
117 hostels with 8315 seats.

SOCIAL DEFENCE

Elderly

The Government of India is committed to ensure the well being of the
older persons which also includes Dementia. In this regard, among
various other initiatives, a National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP);
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 were
introduced. Integrated Scheme for Older Persons has been introduced
for improving the quality of life of the elderly which includes scheme
such as running of Day Care Centres for Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia
Patients, etc.

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, was
enacted in 2007. The Act comes into force upon notification by the
State Govts./UTs. National Council for Older Persons, which is an Apex
National level Consultative body inter-alia also monitors the progress
of implementation of the Act. The State governments and UTs are
required to notify the Act for implementation. As per the provisions
of the Act the existing infrastructure and functionaries of the
district like District Social Welfare Officer, Sub-Divisional
Magistrate and District Magistrate are required to be notified as
Maintenance officers, heads of Maintenance Tribunals and Appellate
Tribunals under the Act. So far, 22 States and all UTs have notified
the Act and are taking action in this regard.

The Government is implementing a Central Sector Scheme namely,
"Integrated Programme for Older Persons" under which financial
assistance is provided to Non-Governmental Organizations on the basis
of the recommendation of the concerned State Government. During
2008-09, so far, 258 Old Age Homes were assisted through NGOs and 6450
beneficiaries were covered across the country.

Prevention of Drug Abuse

To prevent the younger generation from falling prey to drugs, the
Ministry is focusing its attention on adolescents and youth in school
and colleges, who are particularly vulnerable. Initiatives are being
taken to include appropriate material in school curriculum and work
out Training of Teachers module for the sensitization of teachers and
parents in the school environment. The intervention in schools and
colleges needs to be strengthened.

The National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation
(NCCDR) has assigned a Sub-Committee the task of drafting the National
Policy on prevention of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and
rehabilitation of its victim.

The Government has been making concerted efforts at various levels to
tackle the problem. Referring to the Scheme for Prevention of
Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse which was launched by the
Ministry in 1985-86, the Ministry has set up a wide network of support
systems with NGOs all over the Country. Starting with just five NGOs
in 1985-86, the Ministry today supports around 400 drug de-addiction
centres. During the year 2008-09 grant-in-aid for Rs. 21 Crore was
provided to the NGOs under the scheme. The Scheme has been revised and
certain new features have been introduced such as enhanced rates of
honorarium to the service providers in de-addiction centres; provision
for free food for BPL beneficiaries; financial assistance to
Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies for running
projects under the scheme etc.

National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), which is an autonomous
body of the Ministry, is regularly organizing training programmes for
capacity building of NGOs. In addition, eight expert NGO's with long
experience and expertise in treatment, rehabilitation, training and
research are functioning as Regional Resource & Training Centers. A
Manual of Minimum Standards for Programmes under the Scheme for
Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse prepared by NISD was also
launched.

Under the revised Central sector Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism
and Substance (Drug) Abuse effective from October, 2008 Panchayati Raj
institutions are also eligible for central assistance for setting up
Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCA) and taking up
other drug de-addiction activities specified in the scheme. During
last 3 years are 31 De-addiction Centers were opened in 14 States
under the scheme.

Actual releases made to NGOs under the Scheme for Prevention of
Alcoholism and Substance (drug) abuse during last three years from
2006-2009 have been to the tune of Rs. 6741.63 lakh and State wise
Notional allocation under the scheme in the current year has been Rs.
35 lakh.

Presently, 362 NGOs are being funded for running 401 de-addiction
centres all over the country under the Scheme of Assistance for
Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse.


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[ZESTCaste] Fwd: Implementation of the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) in Orissa

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Network for Social Accountability (NSA) <media@nsa.org.in>
Date: Dec 24, 2009 7:32 PM
Subject: Implementation of the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) in Orissa
To:

Greetings from Network for Social Accountability (NSA)!

Recently, a methodology discourse was organized by Network for Social
Accountability (NSA) and Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS)-Orissa on a
pilot research activity for developing a "District Level Citizen
Report Cards on Implementation of Scheduled Caste Sub Plan in Orissa".
The primary purpose of this effort was to put in place a system of
civil society monitoring for this critical public intervention called
Scheduled Caste Sub Plan in Orissa. A preliminary analysis of
secondary information related to the implementation of Scheduled Caste
Sub Plan in Orissa is brought out in the form of a policy brief
titled, "Brief No-356: Implementation of the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan
(SCSP) in Orissa -By Sashiprava Bindhani and Siba Sankar Mohanty".
Please follow the link to read the analysis. <
http://nsa.org.in/Policybrief/2009/356SashipravaSibaSCSP.htm >

Please read our policy briefs at
http://nsa.org.in/Policybrief/2009/PolicybriefArchive2009.htm

Please send us analysis, articles critical appraisal on Indian public
policies to enrich our effort to democratize debate on development.
Please write us at media@nsa.org.in

In Solidarity,

Ratneswar Sahu

Programme Associate

Network for Social Accountability,

Bhubaneswar

www.nsa.org.in


------------------------------------

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