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

Published on December 27, 2009 by INVC   ·   551 Comments  Print This Post

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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)

 

  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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