Socio economic development of Schedule caste in Himachal

The Scheduled Caste (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are officially designated groups of historically disadvantaged people in India. The terms are recognised in the Constitution of India and the groups are designated in one or other of the categories. For much of the period of British rule in the Indian subcontinent, they were known as the Depressed Classes. The people in scheduled castes are essentially the lowest part of Hindu society.
Himachal holds 2nd rank among all States and UTs in terms of proportion of SC population to total population. The Scheduled Caste (SC) population of Himachal Pradesh is 1,502,170 as per 2001 census, constituting 24.7 per cent of the total population (6,077,900) of the State. The Sate has a total of fifty six (56) Scheduled Castes and all of them have been enumerated at the census 2001. The decennial growth of the SC population has been 14.6 per cent which is 2.9 per cent lower than the growth of total population (17.5 per cent) in 1991-2001.

The Scheduled Castes are predominantly rural as 93.4 per cent of them reside in villages. Among all the districts, Sirmaur district has returned the highest proportion (29.6 per cent) of the SC population to total population followed by Mandi (29.0 per cent) and Kullu (28.3 per cent) districts. Lahul & Spiti district has registered the lowest proportion of the SC population (7.8 per cent) preceded by Kinnaur (9.7 per cent).

Literacy & Educational Level

The overall literacy rate among the SCs of Himachal Pradesh has increased from 53.2 per cent at 1991 census to 70.3 per cent at 2001 census. This is 15.6 points higher than the national average (54.7per cent) for all SCs. While male literacy has increased from 65 per cent to 80 per cent, female literacy has increased from 41 per cent to 60.4 per cent during 1991-2001.

State Efforts for development of Schedule caste in Himachal

Scheduled Castes Sub Plan

The Govt for the first time formulated a Special Component Plan (SCP) in 1979-80 now renamed as Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) for the Scheduled Castes as part of the State Plan. The Scheduled Caste Sub Plan is specifically designed to channelize the flow of benefits and outlays from the general sector in the state plan and from the union ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for the development of Scheduled Caste in physical as well as financial terms. The Scheduled Caste Sub Plan is designed to help poor Scheduled Caste families through composite income generating programmes. The sub plan seeks to improve the living conditions of Scheduled Castes through provision of drinking water supply, link roads, house site, establishment of educational, health, veterinary institutions etc. The sub plan process includes identification, formulation and implementation of schemes/programmes under different sector for the economic amelioration of persons belonging to those communities.
For the first time for the year 2008-09, the Planning Department has allocated 24.72% outlay of the Main State Plan to the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan which is in accordance with the Scheduled Castes population in the Pradesh.

Objectives:

1. Conservation of whatever assets the Scheduled Castes have; 2. Updating and/or provision of new skills to improve their employability or productivity; 3. Providing minimum literacy and functional skills through education to every scheduled castes up to 35 years of age as part of the programme of universalization of elementary education and eradication of illiteracy; 4. Enabling them to acquire special education/technical qualification and avail of existing as well as newly emerging employment opportunities etc; 5. Provision of entrepreneurial training to educated unemployed scheduled castes youth; 6. Helping in their taking diversified activities including in the area of manufacturing, and business through self-employment programme. 7. Modernizing existing traditional activities like tanning and leather work; 8. Liberating them from demeaning work like scavenging of dry latrines; 9. Doing all what is necessary to tackle and eradicate social problem of untouchability. 10. Provision of minimum needs and basic amenities in their habitations.

Conclusion: The concept of Scheduled Castes Sub Plan evolved during the year 1978-79 Plan is now a permanent feature. The Scheduled Castes ar e receiving due attention and their legitimate rights and share in plan funds and the benefits of economic development. The planned effort aimed for the 12th Plan period will surely lend an impetus to this process. With the upcoming awakening in these communities, the process has already been accelerated.

HP SC/ST Development Corporation :

The Govt. of Himachal Pradesh has open Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development corporation in every District Headquarter of Himachal Pradesh. In Distt. Kinnaur has also the Office of the Distt. Manager of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Kinnaur at Reckong Peo. 
Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation was established on 14th November, 1979 under the enactment of Himachal Pradesh Government.

Protective arrangements :

Such measures as are required to enforce equality, to provide punitive measures for transgressions, to eliminate established practices that perpetuate inequities, etc. A number of laws were enacted to implement the provisions in the Constitution. Examples of such laws include The Untouchability Practices Act, 1955, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993, etc. Despite legislation, social discrimination and atrocities against the backward castes continued to persist.

Welfare Schemes :

Mukhya Mantri Adarash Gram Yojna

Mukhya Mantri Adarash Gram Yojnna has been implemented in the State to ensure integrated development of two selected villages under every Vidhan Sabha constituency having 40% or more than 200 Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes population. A provision of Rs. 10 Lakh has been made for the development of each village, under this scheme. An amount of Rs. 1165.40 lakh was allocated during the last financial year for the development of such villages whereas Rs. 12 crore have been allocated for the purpose in this financial year.
Inter caste Marriages :

The State government has also launched a scheme to encourage inter-caste marriage with the objective to diminish caste consciousness among the people. The Government is providing financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 for inter-caste marriage.

Financial Help  Schemes :

Himachal Government is providing housing subsidy to those members of the SC/ST and OBC, whose annual income is less than 35,000. The people who are homeless but own a house site, the government is providing subsidy of Rs.75,000 to them. A subsidy a Rs. 25,000 is also being provided for repair of house to the members of these categories. A target to as many as 3128 people has been set during this financial year.

The State Government has also launched a scheme for ST/SC and OBC members whose annual income is less than Rs 35,000 and has done training from ITI or any other institute. In order to make them self-dependent they are being provided sewing machines, tools besides financial assistance of Rs 1500 for purchasing equipments. During last financial year, Rs. 84 lakhs were provided to 5624 candidates for purchasing sewing machines and other equipments and during this year, 7447 people would be benefitted under the scheme.

Himswablamban Yojana: Himswblamban Yojana is the scheme conducted by HPSC&STDC to their beneficiaries. Under this scheme loan is granted to the beneficiaries for Agriculture Sector, Service sector and Industry sector. Like in Agriculture and Allied Sector loan is provided for Dairy Farming, Tractor Trolley etc. Similarly in Service sector loan is provided to beneficiaries for the purpose of Shuttering, Tent House, Dhaba/Restaurant, Mini Truck, Mini Bus and other Light Motor Vehicles etc.

Study Loan (NSFDC/NSTFDC): Under this scheme, the corporation provides education loan to SC/ST eligible students for the professional and technical courses which is approved by National Scheduled Caste Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC) and National Scheduled Tribe Finance & Development. Corporation (NSTFDC).

The main aim & objective of the govt. is to provide social justice and to empower the most vulnerable section of society i.e. Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, Minorities, person with disabilities and older persons. The main thrust of the programmes being run by the govt. is to improve the socio-economic conditions of these sections so as to bring them into the mainstream of the society