WELFARE OF SCHEDULED CASTES
AND SCHEDULED TRIBES

   

Department of Agriculture & Cooperation supports Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, Small and Marginal, Women and other farmers under various schemes/programmes with a view to raising their production and productivity in agriculture sector and thereby improving their socio-economic conditions.  Keeping in view the relative backgrounds of sc/ST communities, special care has been devoted to them in the formulation and implementations of development programmes. Essentially, the schemes/programmes of this Department are production oriented and area specific in nature and, therefore, they benefit all categories of farmers.  The schemes have been, however, carefully reviewed to ascertain that maximum benefits accure to the SC/ST population. The following criteria guard the interests of resource poor SC/ST farmers. 

          Under the Schemes where benefits flow directly to the farmers, efforts have been made to increase the quantum of benefits flowing to SC/ST population. 

          Area specific development programmes, schemes/project are implemented in the areas dominated by SC/ST population. 

          For infrastructural development, special efforts have been made to ensure that benefits flow to SC/ST population. 

            The State Governments are advised through the Administrative Approval of the schemes to ensure that the benefits flow to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes farmers in proportion to their population. Preference may be given to SC/ST, small and marginal farmers to conducting demonstration in their fields for transfer of technology.

             Under Oilseeds Production Programmes, certain amount is earmarked to be spent for the benefits of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes farmers.  This amount is to be spent for the approved components other than staff & contingencies. State Government may change/adjust this percentage depending upon the population percentage of SC/ST communities in the state and it should not be less than the percentage of population of these communities.           

Under National Pulses Development Projects (NPDP) the State Governments are advised to ensure that at least 25% of the total assistance should flow to SC/ST farmers (16.5% to SC farmers and 8.5% to ST farmers).  This amount is to be spent for the approved components other than staff and contingencies. State Governments may change/adjust this percentage depending upon the population percentage of SC/ST communities in the state and it should not be less than the percentage of population of these communities. In states having higher population of SC/ST farmers the allocation for the SC/ST farmers may be enhanced proportionately. 

            Under Oil Palm Development (OPDP) a minimum of 25% of funds allocated for implementing beneficiary oriented components, viz., planting material, cultivation, training and drip irrigation are earmarked by State Governments for utilization for the benefits of the framers belonging to Scheduled Castes(17%) and Scheduled Tribes(8%). 

            Under Accelerated Maize Development Programme (AMDP) the State Governments are advised to ensure that at least 25% of the benefit goes to SC and ST farmers (16.5% to the SC farmers and 8.5% to ST farmers). 

            Under Technology Mission on Cotton the State Governments/Implementing Agencies are advised to ensure that small/marginal farmers be given top priority and that at least 20% of the benefits flow to scheduled castes farmers and 10% to the scheduled tribes farmers.  The State Government may change/adjust this percentage depending upon the population percentage of SC/ST communities in the state and it should not be less than the percentage of population of these communities.  In the states having higher population of SC/ST farmers, the allocation of SC/ST components may be enhanced proportionately.  Some of the components like water saving devices sprinkler and drip irrigation system where a higher amount of subsidy is required the Scheme has provision for SC’s/ST’s as follows:-