Fruits of welfare schemes must reach SCs,STs: NCSC

Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Vaddepalli Ramchander has asked the state government to initiate measures to ensure that the fruits of various welfare schemes reach the Dalits.
He was reviewing the implementation of welfare schemes for the Scheduled Castes at the Collectorate here on Tuesday.
He wanted the officials concerned to work with coordination to ensure that the Scheduled Castes get fruits of welfare and development schemes in proportion to their population.
He asked the police to conduct fair investigation in cases related to atrocities on people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The industries Department should sanction loans to the eligible youth belonging to the Scheduled Castes to set up small scale industries and pave the way for their development. The officials should work hard to ensure that the beneficiaries get subsidies from State and Central governments. The government should take steps to fill backlog vacancies reserved for people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
It should conduct coaching centers, study centers for the SCs and ST youth preparing for competitive examinations. It should implement special measures for the SC and ST youth purusing overseas education. The officials should supervise effectively that the SC and ST youth get job promotions as per the rules.
DEO Ashok told the National Commission for SCs member that there are 311 SC teachers are employed in 1,269 government schools in the district. The government spent Rs 1.65 crore for the benefit of the SC students.
The DMHO Dr Tukaram said that there are six community health centers, 15 PHCs, 118 health sub-centers in the district. The total bed strength in these hospitals is 676. Under the National Health Scheme, the locals get preference in filling jobs in these hospitals. Special attention is being paid to the health of expectant mothers, lactating mothers and children in providing health services.
District Revenue Officer Lokeshwar Rao went on record stating that 5,800 acres of land was given to 2,424 SCs in the form of Lavuni Patta.
In all, there are 408 SC students in seven hostels meant for them. There are three  post-Matric hostels too. The government spends Rs 1.41 lakh on the SC students. In all, 11 inter-caste married couples have been given incentives. Under the Dalit Basti scheme, 136 acres has been distributed among 60 beneficiaries.
Under Dalit Bandhu, 177 beneficiaries received a total of Rs 17.70 crore to take up self-employment, explains SC Welfare deputy director Sajeevan.
Under the DRDA schemes, 11,946 families were provided jobs, district rural development officer Dattaram said. District Panchayat officer said that priority will be given to implement development works in SC and ST habitats in 335 panchayats in the district.
Municipal commissioners told the SC Commission member that development works are being implemented through Ambedkar societies in wards where SCs and STs live.
DSP said that 76 cases were registered in various police stations in the district during 2020-2023. Efforts are on to render quick justice to the victims.
Collector Venkatesh Dhotre said that the district administration has been extending the fruits of development schemes meant for the SCs and STs and taking  steps to render quick justice to the victims in atrocity cases.
Later, the collector, SP, additional collectors and the District Forest Officer felicitated Vaddepalli Ramchander.
SP DV  Srinivasa Rao, Additional Collectors Deepak Tiwari and  Dasari Venu, district forest officer Neeraj Kumar, Sirpur MLA P Harish Babu and others took part in the meeting.