DSS has been taking up campaigns every year to educate, inspire and sensitize the society in general and dalit sections in particular on various issues concerning rights of dalit women, girl children and dalits in general. These campaigns were conducted as Ratha Yatra, with three vehicle loads of dalit women activists moving around from one end of the State to the other end and conducting public meetings, addressing small gatherings at all important towns and villages across the route. These Rathayatras of DSS became popular and were successful in conveying the message. Last year we focused on rights and educated all concerned about the rights and real content of democracy.
This year’s Rathayatra campaign theme was on a recently enacted law of the State of Andhra Pradesh allocating funds for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.The legislature of State of Andhra Pradesh passed an enactment called Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Caste Sub Plan/Tribal Sub Plan (Planning, Allocation and Utilization of Financial Resources) Act 2013 (shortly called SCSP/TSP Act).DSS felt that there is urgent need to campaign on this Act and on its background to dispel lot of political, legal and other misconceptions surrounding it. Though lot of funds are allocated for the welfare of scheduled castes and tribes each year by the State and Central governments, in actual practice there is no compulsion to spend the amount as allocated and always the funds were diverted to other purposes or shown as unspent.There has long been a demand from dalit forces that this situation should be changed and it should be made a legal compulsion for allocation of funds and actual spending of the funds.
In fact it was demanded by dalit activists that diversion or misuse or non use of funds should be made criminal. This Act was the culmination of various factors like struggles of dalits for their rightful share in the national and state levels, efforts of likeminded intellectuals, concerted efforts of dalit NGOs, sympathetic officers in the government etc. As a result of all these factors and in particular due to the rising dalit consciousness in the State, the political elite of the state felt compelled to enact this law. Though enacting such a law is on cards at the national level, A.P. government was the first to make such law. Since this is a unique law, it is urgently necessary to sensitize everyone on it, so as to make people understand the law, strengthen the law and organize future struggles to improve the law. Moreover, the actual beneficiaries i.e. the dalits and adivasis themselves should know that such a law for their benefit has been enacted and they should consciously utilize and pressurize the concerned departments to implement the law. Further, Dalit Sthree Sakthi has its additional objective of inspiring the dalit women and girl children to struggle for allocation of equitable share of financial resources for the women and girl children within the dalit community. With these objectives, DSS embarked upon the marathon campaign of spreading awareness about the latest SCSP/TSP Act. Lot of preparatory work was done in this regard. Apart from conducting a team meeting of the activists about the plan of campaign, well known intellectuals of repute and standing, like Vice-Chancellor of a university, former chairman of Bar Council of India were approached for their participation and support. The Act was translated into Telugu and published as a small booklet for distribution. A detailed pamphlet explaining the gist of the Act, the background and the need for utilizing the Act and the vigilance for its proper implementation was published for wide distribution. Posters were sent throughout the campaign route for wide publicity. Press and electronic media were informed about the campaign for coverage. A famous Telugu daily news paper has published the campaign handbill. Having made well planned preparatory work the campaign was launched on 18th November 2013. While all earlier campaigns were launched from Hyderabad, this time we chose Visakhapatnam for launching and concluded the campaign at Hyderabad.
Launching:
The Campaign (Rathayatra) on SCSP/TSP Act was launched on 18th November 2013 at Ambedkar Statue, LIC Junction, Visakhapatnam. The three vehicles (Rathas) were prepared with flexi banners highlighting the demands of the campaign and were launched.
The Chief Guests were Prof.P.George Victor, Vice-Chancellor, AdiKavi Nannayya University and Sri. D.V. Subba Rao, Former Chairman, Bar Council of India. Both are well known intellectuals in the area and high dignitaries. They launched the campaign at 11.00 a.m. and addressed the gathering and press.
Jhansi Geddam Convener-DSS explained about the objective of the campaign and said that SCSP/TSP Act is the first of its kind intended for the economic development of Scheduled Castes and Tribes. She narrated how Dalit Sthree Sakthi has been working for the Rights of Dalit Women and Dalit Girl Children and that this campaign was organised for 10 days starting from 18th November 2013 till 27th November 2013, to create awareness about the Act, implementation, review and various loopholes in the Act. She called upon everyone to see that this Act is to be efficiently implemented for mainstreaming of the oppressed community as development on par with everyone is their constitutional right.
She recited the objectives, route plan and other details of the campaign. The troop will go around in 7 districts and 48 mandals covering major towns, cities and villages enroute to create awareness among the dalit women and girl children on SCSP/TSP Act. She also said that the 100 member campaign team is being accommodated in 3 campaign vehicles decorated with flex banners, sound system for this 10 days yatra.
The campaign vehicles with 100 members team in it has conveyed the voice and vehemence
of dalit women and girl children for the effective implementation of SCSP/TSP Act and their rights. Similarly wall posters have been affixed in all the 7 districts and thousands of handbills and translated handbook on SCSP/TSP Act explaining the present scenario, important aspects regarding the implementation of the Act and importance of the rules pertaining to the Act were distributed en-route.
The leaders garlanded the Ambedkar Statue amidst powerful slogans. Later the gathering was addressed by the Chief Guests, Prof.P.George Victor, Vice-Chancellor, AdiKavi Nannayya University and Sri. D.V. Subba Rao, Former Chairman, Bar Council of India, Representatives of Journalist Forum and Intellectuals etc. The two decorated Rathams (vehicles) were flagged off by Prof.P.George Victor and Sri. D.V. Subba Rao
Prof.P.George Victor, Vice-Chancellor, AdiKavi Nannayya University said that dalit women are
being exploited economically and socially for years past. This Act should bring out a change in their livelihood towards economic independence and social development. He appreciated DSS for imparting courage and self confidence to dalit women. Every citizen should strive for the construction of a good society and utilization of individual Acts and rights.
Sri.D.V.Subba Rao, Former Chairman, Bar Council of India said that passing an Act is not sufficient enough but its implementation plays a major role in development of the intended group. Dalit women fail to utilize their respective Acts efficiently due to lack of education, hence educating dalit women is an appreciable job by DSS. Thus, Dalit women should strive for the effective implementation of SCSP/TSP Act by gaining sufficient knowledge for developing economically and socially.
After launching the campaign, district conference on Empowerment of Dalit Women and Girl Children was held at Lions Club, Visakhapatnam and later the campaign proceeded towards Rajahmundry via NAD Kotta Road, Pendurthi, Gajuwaka, Anakapalli, Kasimkota, Tuni, Annavaram and Kattipudi centres garlanding the Ambedkar Statues and addressing the public about the campaign and the SCSP/TSP Act. From the Launching of the campaign, till the concluding day, all the public meetings and press meets held at mandal and district headquarters were addressed by the DSS state team comprising of the Convener, Program Manager, State Coordinator, District Co-ordinators, Administrator. The speakers took care to elaborately explain about the Act, the need for empowerment of Dalit Women and Girl Children.
Cultural team consisting of 7 member troop, presented performances at all places before and during the meetings with various songs about dalit women rights, the plight of dalit women and girl children and the need to struggle for the rights.
Important Events of Radha Yatra Campaign:
The campaign, which reached Rajahmundry on the second day started with a press meet at Ambedkar Bhavan. Sri Rajendra Prasad Municipal Commissioner of Rajahmundry welcomed
the campaign team and participated in the public meeting.The Ambedkar statue at the main centre of Rajahmundry town, Gokavaram bus stop, was garlanded by Geddam Jhansi, Convenor, DSS and Rajendra Prasad, Municipal Commissioner.
The gathering was addressed by the leaders of SC/ST Employee Welfare Association, Ambedkar Youth Associations, Caste Based Associations and representatives of Political Party SC/ST wings. Later, Jhansi Geddam, Convenor, DSS was felicitated by the Municipal Commissioner, Rajahmundry.
A rally was held up to Kambalapeta Ambedkar Statue via Devichowk. The rally on the roads of Rajahmundry attracted the attention of the public in a big way and they were all distributed pamphlets and booklets. The public was enthused with the powerful slogans and inspiring songs. The Ambedkar statue at Kambalapeta was garlanded followed by a public meeting.
Then the campaign reached Kakinada via Rajanagaram, Peddapuram and Samarlakota centers garlanding the Ambedkar Statues and holding Public Meetings regarding the SCSP/TSP Act. District conference was conducted at Kakinada and then the campaign reached Amalapuram via Tallarevu, Yanam, Yedurlanka, Muramalla and Mummidivaram centers garlanding the Ambedkar Statues and held Public Meetings with SC/ST Employee Welfare Associations, Ambedkar Youth Associations, Caste Based Associations and representatives of Political Party SC/ST wings. The campaign halted for the day at Social Welfare hostel, Eedarapalli, Amalapuram.
On the third day, a press meet was held at Budha Vihar, Amalapuram with RPI leaders, Human
Rights Forum Leaders, Panchayat Raj leaders. After garlanding the Ambedkar Statue at Budha Vihar the cultural team enthusiastically sang Ambedkar songs for which the entire campaign team danced and stunned the public.
A rally was held till Gadiyaram center Ambedkar Statue and the attention of the general public on the roads was drawn to the campaign theme with the powerful slogans and inspiring songs. After garlanding the Ambedkar Statue at Gadiyaram Centre, a Public meeting was held with many leaders.
The team campaigned via Bandaru Lanka, Ambaji peta, Munganda, P. Gannavaram, Jaggannapeta, Podalada, Razole and Sivakodu
centres garlanding the Ambedkar Statues and held Public Meetings and addressed gatherings. The local leaders gave a rousing welcome to the campaign team and provided their support regarding the awareness and implementation of SCSP/TSP Act. The campaign team had dinner and halted for the night in Sitharampuram village of West Godavari District.
On the fourth day, the campaign started to Narsapuram and held a Press Meet at MPDO office. The Ambedkar Statue at bus stand was garlanded and the gathering was addressed by Jhansi Geddam.
The campaign also covered Mogalthuru, Palakollu, Dagguluru and Poolapalli where Ambedkar Statues were garlanded and public meetings were held, various Employee Welfare Associations, Ambedkar Youth Associations and local leaders also participated.
Later the campaign progressed towards Chandaparru, Baggeswaram, Ballipadu, Chikkala,
Veeravasaram, Srungavruksham, Pennada, Goraganamudi, Vissakoderu, Bhimavaram, Undi, Aakiveedu, Pallevada, Bhujabalapatnam, Kaikaluru, Maheswarapuram and Lingaroagudem garlanding the Ambedkar Statues and addressed the gathering with the songs of cultural teams and public meetings and reached Eluru for night Stay. A public meeting was organized by Abraham, Director, Jana Nirman at Andhra Pradesh Social Service Center.
On the fifth day, district conference of West Godavari was held at Conference Hall, Surya Residency, Eluru and later progressed towards Madepalli, Sriparru, Kovvadalanka, Hanuman Junction, Gannavaram and reached Vijayawada. Ambedkar Statues were garlanded and public were addressed where various Employee Welfare Associations, Ambedkar Youth Associations and local leaders also participated.
On the sixth day the Ambedkar statue at control room of Vijayawada was garlanded and a rally was taken out on the road upto Lenin centre followed by Manavaharam(human chain). Powerful slogans and songs were given throughout the rally. Later the district conference of Krishna District was held at Rotary Club, Vijayawada. After the district conference, campaign proceeded towards Giripuram, Badavapeta, Jojinagar, Singhnagar, Prakashnagar by having focused group discussions with local leaders and addressed the gatherings.
On day seven, the campaign proceeded towards Mangalagiri, Pedavadlapudi, Duggirala,
Narakodur and Chebrole of Guntur District. Enroute, Ambedkar Statues were garlanded and held Public Meetings and addressed the gathering. The local leaders gave a rousing welcome to the campaign team at all places and extended their support to the campaign theme regarding the awareness and implementation of SCSP/TSP Act. The campaign team had dinner and halted for the night in Pathareddypalem village of Guntur District.
On the eight day, the campaign reached Ambedkar statue, Lodge centre, Guntur, garlanded the statue and held a rally upto the venue of district conference of Guntur at conference hall, SC Corporation, Guntur. The rally went through the main centers of the city catching the eye of the public with the slogans and songs. After the district conference, the campaign
proceeded towards Pedakakani, Kaza, Ibrahimpatnam, Kanchikacherla, Nandigama, Kodada and Suryapet by garlanding the enroute Ambedkar statues and addressing the gatherings. Later the campaign proceeded towards Ranga Reddy district and halted at Narayanpur village of Rangareddy District for the night.
On the ninth day, the district conference of Ranga Reddy was held at conference hall, Municipal Office, Vikarabad. After the conference the campaign proceeded towards Allampalli, Kottagadi, Sivareddypeta, Manneguda, Antaram, Khanapur, Malkapur and Tolkutta. The local leaders gave a rousing welcome to the campaign team with drums, garlands and flowers. Panchayatraj leaders of the respective areas have actively involved and shared their concerns on SCSP/TSP Act. Convener of DSS was felicitated and the leaders have appreciated the bold approach of DSS in addressing the incidents of violence. A press meet was addressed at Ambedkar Bhavan, Chevella and later the campaign proceeded towards Pedamangalaram and halted at Moinabad of Ranga Reddy district for the night. Ambedkar Statues were garlanded, Public Meetings were held and gatherings were addressed.
On the tenth day the campaign reached Ambedkar statue, Tank Bund, Hyderabad. Ambedkar statue was garlanded by Jhansi Geddam, Convener, GDV Prakash, Program Manager, Susanna, State Coordinator, District Coordinators and State Women Collective members of DSS and later preceded towards Press Club, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad for the valedictory meeting.
Valedictory Meeting:
The meeting was presided over by Jhansi Geddam – Convener of DSS and the dignitaries on the dais were Sri Kaki Madhava Rao IAS – Former Chief Secretary, Sri Gopala Rao IAS – Former Secretary, Sri B Udaya Laxmi IAS – Commissioner Tribal Welfare & In-charge
Commissioner Social Welfare, Sri B Rajsekher IAS – CEO, SERP(Rural Development), Sri Ramchander – Joint Director – SCSP/TSP, Sri Narra Ravi Kumar – President, DICCI- AP Chapter, Sri Ramana – General Secretary – AP ST Employees Welfare Association. The photos of Dr B R Ambedkar and Savitribai Phule were garlanded by Sri Gopal Rao IAS and Aruna – Senior Journalist.
Sri Jhansi Geddam in the presidential address has said the ten days marathon campaign which started on 18th at Visakhapatnam has reached Hyderabad on 27th November 2013. She recounted how the entire team was enthusiastic and spirited throughout the campaign in inspiring the public in the villages, towns, dalit colonies, centers and in conveying the message of the campaign. She applauded the team for its active participation in the true spirit of Ambedkarite tradition, in their cultural performances, songs, distribution of campaign material at all places. Jhansi explained to the gathering as to how the campaign went on with the participation of district officials, leaders of employees welfare organizations, local leaders, village elders etc wherever the campaign team visited. She thanked the people at large for the rousing reception they accorded to the team at all places and for extending support in the form of logistic arrangements and solidarity to the campaign.
Then she touched upon the subject of the SCSP/TSP Act. She explained that as on date almost all the departments are not fully aware of the implications of the Act.Likewise the officials at the district and state level also are not fully aware of the Act and the procedures.Moreover, the Rules for the implementation of the Act are yet to be enacted and until they are in place, real implementation and actual flow of benefits will not happen.
Though funds are allocated, there is no clarity of how to utilize those funds. In other words, she commented, that though the Act has come, nothing concrete has moved so far. At this juncture, it is necessary for the activists, leaders and dalit community to understand the entire situation and formulate plan of action for making the Act a reality. She explained that earlier, all schemes were grounded only when the banks sanctioned a part of the scheme money as loan and the dalit beneficiaries, particularly, the illiterates could never get the bank consent letter. As such the funds meant for the benefit of the dalits always used to remain unspent. Now with the passing of the new Act it is demanded that such hurdle is removed and the dalit beneficiaries can get the bank portion of the scheme amount also from the S.C Corporation. For proper realization of the objectives of the new law, all the district officials and departments should coordinate with each other and see that the dalit beneficiary gets the amount for grounding a scheme. Right now it is not there and it is the responsibility of all of us to see that such coordination is forged at all districts.
Another important point of focus that has come up in the campaign was concerning education of dalit children. Everyone that addressed the gatherings stressed this aspect. Now entire dalit community is aware of the need for proper education, but they only suffer due to lack of financial resources, proper schools and other infrastructural issues. Hence there is utmost need to see that a huge chunk of the funds meant for these communities be invested for reforming the entire schooling system that is now rotting with no proper teachers, facilities etc. Schooling should be thoroughly reformed to see that dalit children get competitive education on par with the private high-tech schools. Unfortunately, as on today the community leaders and dalit public also are not sure of what the Act is about or how to see that it is implemented. To break the ice and to motivate people to come forward towards realizing the objectives of the Act, DSS has taken up the campaign for 10 days and distributed campaign material and held educative meetings.
Sri Udayalakshmi IAS, Commissioner, Tribal Welfare and In-Charge for Social Welfare Dept, spoke on the occasion.She lauded DSS for taking up such an important campaign on a newly enacted law and proceeded to explain the law and its background.She said that earlier to this law much of the funds were either diverted or left unspent, whereas now, that is not possible.She appreciated the government for bringing about such a law by which diversion of funds will not be possible henceforth as it would be punishable.She stressed importance of a few sections in the Act like Section 11 sub clauses a),b)c) and d)as these provisions are meant to benefit the individual beneficiaries up to 100 percent , the colonies inhabited by the target community, habitations where the target community constitute above 60% and for infrastructure facilities for the benefit of target people.
She gave the details of allocation of funds for this financial year @ Rs.8585 crores for SCSP and Rs.3667 crores for TSP. She further explained that education of scheduled castes and tribes children being of paramount importance, the issue was discussed in the nodal agency meeting and a number of ameliorative measures to strengthen the educational facilities have been taken up. The measures include, all needed repairs and face lifting of social welfare hostels, pre-matric scholarships for the day scholars, sanction of separate hostels for the college going students, 20 tribal welfare hostels, coaching for entrance tests like G-MAT etc for 5000 SC aspirants and 3000 tribal aspirants, so that the aspirants from these communities also stand a chance of going abroad for pursuing higher education. Further she informed that 45 centers for imparting various trainings for the unemployed youth of the target communities have been set up to train them in vocations like, lab technology, driving, ANM, security services etc. Further, she told, that three schools in three regions to be nurtured as centers of excellence were established.
Sri Kaki Madhava Rao, IAS Former Chief Secretaryand the champion of the movementappreciated the way things are explained by Sri. Udayalakshmi and he underlined the need for developing all action plans from below involving the people so that they come to know what is happening and they can see that their needs are included in the plans.But this has not happened this year and he hoped that at least next year action plans would be drawn involving all stake holders.He lamented that the figures concerning medical are shown as having been spent fully and pointed out that every small medical assistance such as even
administering an injection is being accounted in the SCSP/TSP Act. He further pointed out that funds are being spent on irrigation even though it is not part of the SCSP/TSP funds. He stressed the need for enacting the Rules for SCSP/TSP Act at the earliest and pointed out that the Act cannot be really implemented without the Rules being made. He highlighted the fact that without pressure from all quarters no Act will be implemented properly and hinted that organizations like DSS should be vigilant and watchful to see that the Act is implemented effectively.
Sri Gopala Rao, IAS, former Secretary to Govt. appreciated the efforts of DSS in pressurizing for the enactment of SCSP/TSP Act and now the campaign taken up for spreading awareness on the Act.
He said that any concrete result and progress in the community can be achieved by only women and women organizations like DSS. There is much propaganda about the Act but in terms of actual benefit in implementation is not commensurate to the propaganda. Then he gave details of funds allocated to various departments under the Act. In social welfare dept, for hostels and buildings Rs.2120 crores are allocated. He pointed that Rs.14 crores are sanctioned for the development of L.B. Stadium and felt that this allotment to the stadium from out of the SCSP funds needs to be questioned. He said that the meeting of nodal agency has not taken place, non official members in Development Council are not yet appointed. A technical voluntary team has been appointed in departments but so far they have not started doing any work. He lamented at the lack of spirit in the implementation of the Act even in a period like this when elections are in the offing, one can imagine how the Act is likely to be implemented when the elections are over and suggested that there should be a system of social audit.
Sri B Rajasekher IAS, CEO, SERPappreciated the government initiative in bringing SCSP/TSP Act and in allocating huge funds for the development of SCs and STs.Though there are various laws to protect women, to punish atrocities etc but there is no such law as the SCSP/TSP Act anywhere and is a matter of great pride that such a law was first enacted in our State of A.P.
Then he pointed out that it is necessary to see that it is implemented properly and systematically. For such a systematic implementation it is necessary to grasp the objective of the Act, namely, to bridge the gap in development between the SCs/STs and rest of the society. This can be done by first collecting baseline data of the situation of dalits in all aspects like, education, housing, dropout rates in the schools etc and implement schemes to bridge the gap in a systematic way so that after 10 years, one should be able to empirically perceive the development in real terms with reference to the base line data. He stressed the need for imparting trainings to all departments by the nodal agency and pointed out that there are various issues concerning land also. He called upon the people at the village level to see the proper implementation in an obsessive way to achieve the outcome.
Sri Narra Ravikumar, President, A.P. Chapter, DICCI appreciated the campaign of DSS and said that it is great that dalit women going around the state for 10 days. He called upon everyone to be vigilant to see that funds are not misused. He suggested DSS to put down all its experiences of this 10 day campaign and give it in the form of a representation to the government.
Sri Ramana, General Secretary, AP S.T. Employees Welfare Association also pointed out the gap between the law and actual implementation and called for awareness of the law without which this law also will become a dead letter like all other beneficial laws. He said that these days it is so difficult even to organize one small public meeting with a small gathering and applauded that DSS was able to conduct such a big campaign for 10 days across the State.
Sri G.D.V. Prakash, Programme Manger, DSS, conveyed vote of thanks to all concerned, particularly the women collective members for their active participation for 10 days braving climatic and health conditions. He thanked all the State level and district level officials of various departments that extended cooperation to the campaign by participating and addressing the gatherings. He specially thanked the Chief Guests of inaugural and valedictory meetings and leaders of all organizations that participated in the meetings held at various places.
Thanks were conveyed to cultural team, drivers of vehicles for bearing the burden of strenuous work for all the days, the volunteers and activists of all districts who made all logistic arrangements for the success of the Radha Yatra.
Highlights of the Campaign:
A contingent of 100 dalit women from 7 districts campaigning continuously for 10 days on their own rights was appreciated
The whole campaign team was at all ease right from the first day till the last day. The slogans raised by them have touched the sky. The team includes many young volunteers apart from the full timers of DSS.
The two vehicles decorated with various photos, demands on the flex banners and the sound system fixed to it was the centre point of attraction. Throughout the journey the songs were played through the sound system.
In all the districts the dalit women were applauded by the officials including the police officials, representatives of local organizations and community for their commitment, brevity and active participation.
The performance of the cultural team through songs, skits and dance was inspiring and was the highlight. Even at late nights the whole community was eagerly waiting for their songs and their songs took the crowd on to their toes.
The drivers of the 3 vehicles were with the same spirit and enthusiasm for all the 10 days. The campaign team had an additional force of 3 members who were good at driving and they shared the responsibility and even distributed pamphlets. Though it was late nights every day they never hesitated to wake up early and be ready for the journey and all this was due to their spirit and motivation for the cause.
Demands:
ü To frame rules for SCSP/TSP Act
ü Campaign in a big way in the villages on SCSP/TSP Act
ü Make available all the GOs on SCSP/TSP Act in public domain
ü Create awareness to the community on the schemes and funds under SCSP/TSP
ü Create awareness to dalit adivasis on the SCSP/TSP Act as their constitutional right
ü Ensure that the funds are not misused
ü Identify the beneficiaries in participatory methodology
ü Provide own buildings and other facilities for anganwadi centers in dalit colonies
ü To implement common school system as per recommendations of Kothari
commission
ü To put a special focus on the dalit girl children in the government schools and provide them qualitative education
ü To provide basic amenities in the schools
ü To provide protection to the girl children in the hostels apart from basic amenities
ü To nationalize the corporate and private education institutions
ü To eradicate caste discrimination in education institutions
ü To eradicate violence and violations on dalit girl children
ü To provide drinking water and toilets in dalit colonies
ü To eradicate violence against dalit women and girl children
ü To give preference for dalit women in NREGA
ü The government machinery should take necessary measures to put an end to the violence against dalit women and girl children
ü To segregate the budget in SCSP/TSP Act to the dalit women and girl children in proportionate to their population
ü To establish libraries in dalit colonies instead of liquor belt shops
Findings:
v District wings of departments except social welfare department have no awareness
on the Act
v Departments have not identified development gaps and no base line survey was
done except SERP
v Action plans not formulated
v SC corporation in the districts could not ground schemes as the subsidy amount is
not yet decided
v In all the districts, community, leaders and officials have said that bankers are not
coming forward to give consent letter
v No implementation mechanism
v Panchayatraj leaders have no knowledge on the Act
v No coordination among the departments due to lack of district monitoring
committees
v Departments have not brought SCSP/TSP component in their budget formulation
process for the next financial year
v Lack of quality education is the reason for vacancies in the social welfare hostels
Recommendations:
ü Training to all departments and elected panchayatraj leaders
ü SWD to convene district monitoring committees
ü Frame rules for the Act immediately
ü To release report card every year
ü Each department to identify development gaps and formulate development indicators based on base line
ü Formulate implementation mechanism at all levels
ü Formulate indicators for competitive education
ü Un budgeted items not to be booked under SCSP/TSP
ü Schemes through SC corporation and other departments should be on 100% subsidy
ü Action plans to be prepared on participatory methodology and include the same in budget formulation process for next financial year
Impact:
· The dalit community have felt that it was the first time that awareness has been brought on economic right immediately after the Act
· Public at large were sensitized through the translated book let on Act, speeches, pamphlets and wide coverage of the media
· The campaign created feelings among the dalit women and girl children that they can confidently approach DSS on their rights
· Increase in the accountability and coordination among the concerned line departments and it could be seen much in the social welfare department
· The gaps in the implementation clearly identified
· The dalit women are gearing up themselves to raise their voices continuously for accessing their rights
· A strong message has reached the stake holders that a state level dalit women organization is there to monitor the implementation of the Act
Outputs:
· The dalit women are able to advocate on their own, where as earlier they use to depend upon
· The concerned authorities at respective levels have responded in a positive manner
· Much visibility through media
· Succeeded in bringing many local associations and district level officials of various departments on to a common platform for the cause
· Raised the confidence levels among the local organizations and community, could give an assurance that a state level organization is there to stand by them
· Initiated a discussion on a new Act from village to state level among the community and the government
· The concerns and issues of districts were consolidated at state level and represented to the concerned authorities.
