Accelerated development of SCs and STs .... A Ray of Hope for the Ignored Lot : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Accelerated development of SCs and STs

A Ray of Hope for the Ignored Lot

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

The Hans India (31-05-2018)

Ensuring accelerated development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with emphasis on achieving equality, focusing on economic, educational and human development along with ensuring the security and social dignity and promoting equity among the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been successfully attempted by government. This is made possible by earmarking a portion, in proportion to population of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the State, of the total Pragathipaddu outlay of the State of Telangana as the outlay of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Special Development Fund of the State. If any amount of Special Development Fund remains unspent, it will be compensated in the next financial year in the same proportion on the reach of actual expenditure to total budget estimate of Pragathipaddu at the end of a financial year in the manner prescribed.

Land purchase scheme for SCs

For the welfare of SC and ST families, Government has introduced land purchase scheme with 100% subsidy. Since 2014, over 4621 landless poor Dalit families were provided with 12,013 acres of agricultural land at the rate of 3 acres per family. Other schemes for the Scheduled Castes include skill development, scholarships, assistance for overseas studies, free power supply up to 50 units to each household, among others. For the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes, new study circles are being opened in a phased manner and Tribal Thandas are converted into Gram Panchayats. For the welfare of the backward classes, a new scheme called ‘Mahatma Jyothiba Phule BC Welfare Vidhya Nidhi’ has been set up to extend support to BC students pursuing studies abroad.  The other schemes for the welfare of the BCs include setting up of a separate Most Backward Classes Welfare Corporation, assistance to Naayi Brahmins and Washer men.

KG to PG model education

Government has not only introduced free and compulsory KG to PG model education for all, irrespective of caste, creed and religion but also successfully implementing by opening number of residential schools for SC, ST, BC and minorities as well as for girls exclusively. 104 Schedule Caste welfare residential institutions, 53 Tribal Welfare Residential Institutions, 142 BC Residential Schools, 194 Minorities Residential Schools, 30 New Residential Degree Colleges for SC Women and 22 for ST women have come up because of this scheme. In these schools, the medium of instruction is English imparting the education with international standards. The students are given a healthy and nutritious food, books, clothes and toys free of cost for their overall development. An extraordinary generation would be made from these residential institutions in future. The human resources that would be developed from out of these institutions will be a model for the country as well as to the entire world.

Welfare measures-from cradle to grave

Designing welfare schemes benefiting the vulnerable sections was a big achievement of government and on a highly successful note Telangana has become number one state in the country in implementing welfare measures.  Welfare state, a concept of government, is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution, and public responsibility for those unable to avail themselves of the minimal provisions for a good life. Welfare encompasses those government programs that provide benefits and economic assistance to no or low-income people living in Telangana. Welfare of Government of Telangana aims to improve the quality of life and living standards of the poor and underprivileged.

The schemes conceived and being implemented in the state by Government will take care of every stage of a human being’s life, the proverbial from “Cradle to Grave”. Several of these innovative schemes are not only first of their kind in the country but also become role models and torch bearers for other States to emulate. From a pregnant mother to child, later the education of the child when it becomes an adult to the marriage of a girl at every phase, Government has a scheme or two. Telangana is the only government in the country, which is spending Rs 40,000 Crore for 35 Welfare Schemes. The income limit of the small traders, employees is hiked from Rs 60,000 to Rs 1, 50,000 in rural areas, from Rs 75,000 to Rs 2, 00,000 in urban areas to make them eligible for the various welfare schemes. Among others these include Aasara pensions, Kalyana Lakshmi, Shaadi Mubarak, pension scheme for single women, beedi workers and so on. The amount for Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak has been enhanced from Rs 51,000 to Rs 75,116 and later to Rs 1,00,116. For the differently abled persons the marriage incentive is enhanced from Rs 50,000 to Rs I, 00,000.

Minority welfare

Government has taken several proactive measures to enhance the economic conditions of Minorities, since the formation of State like, residential schools, pre and post metric scholarships, fee reimbursement to professional courses, Overseas Scholarships for Minorities, establishment of Study Circles, Shaadi Mubarak, honorarium to Imams and Mauzams, construction of Telangana Islamic and Cultural Convention Centre, and construction of Christian Bhavan and Sikh Bhavan. An Orphanage for Muslims at cost of Rs 21 Crore at Anees-ul-Gubba in Nampally. Comprehensive development of the Mecca Masjid has also been sanctioned. Monthly remuneration to Imams and Mauzams in the State from Rs 1000 to Rs 1500.