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