Chapter on Welfare

ASSISTANCE TO STATE SCHEDULED CASTES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

  • The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for participating in the equity share of the Scheduled Castes Development Corporation (SCDCS) in the ratio of 49:51 (Central State) was introduced in 1979.
  • At present, SCDCs are functioning in 27 States / UTs.
  • The main functions of SCDCs are identification of eligible SC families and motivating them to undertake economic development schemes, sponsoring the schemes to financial institutions for credit support etc.

NATIONAL SCHEDULED CASTES FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

  • The National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) was set up in February, 1989 under Companies Act, 2013.
  • The broad objective of NSFDC is to provide financial assistance in the form of concessional loans to Scheduled Castes families, and skill-cum-entrepreneurial training to the youth of the target group, living below Double the Poverty Line presently Rs. 81,000/- per annum for rural area and Rs. 1,03,000/- per annum for urban areas for their economic development.

NATIONAL SAFAI KARAMCHARIS FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

  • NSKFDC was incorporated in January, 1997 as a company not for profit under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.
  • NSKFDC is an apex Corporation under the Ministry of Social Iustice and Empowerment, Government of India.
  • The target group of the Corporation are Scavengers and their dependents and Safai Karamcharis.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

  • According to Census 2011, there are 68 crore Persons with Disabilities in India (who constitute 2.21% of the total population).
  • Out of the total population of Persons with Disabilities, about 50 crore are male and 1.18 crore female.
  • These include persons with visual, hearing, speech and locomotor disabilities mental illness, mental retardation, and other disabilities.
  • XI Schedule to Article 243-G: “Social welfare, including welfare of the handicapped and mentally retarded.” (Entry No. 26).
  • XII Schedule to Article 243-W: “Safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society, including the handicapped and mentally retarded.” (Entry No. 9)