Evaluation Study of SC/ST Welfare Programs of Mandya District

Mandya District is an administrative district of Karnataka, India. Mandya District is bordered on the south by Mysore District, on the west by Hassan District, on the north by Tumkur District and on the east by Ramanagar district. The district was formed in the year 1939. Mandya district is called as "SAKKARE NADU" because sugarcane is a major crop grown here, and the people here are most lovely and kind. So, they are called as "SAKKARE NADINA AKKARE JANATHE".

• The total area of Mandya district is 4962 sq. km. • Mandya district with a total population of 18, 05,769 stands at 13th place in the State. • The district ranks 7th in terms of rural population. • The district has a density of 364 and it holds the 7th rank in the State. • Mandya district accounts for 2.9 percent of the total population of the State and stands at 13th place in the State. • With the decadal growth rate of 2.4 percent, it ranks 28th in the State in terms of decadal growth rate. • The district with a Sex ratio of 995 holds 8th rank in the State. • The district with a Sex ratio of 939 among the child population in the age-group 0-6 holds the 27th rank in the State. • The proportion of child population (0-6 age-group) is 9.6 percent in the district and holds the rank of 27th in the State. • The district has a literacy rate of 70.4 percent and is placed at 20th position in the State. • The male literacy rate in the district is 78.3 percent and the female literacy rate is 62.5 percent. • The Scheduled Caste population contributes 14.7 percent to the total population of the district and stands at 22nd position in the state. • The district contributes the least Scheduled Tribe population (1.2 percent) to the total population of the district in the state. • The district has registered a work participation of 48.3 percent and stands at 8th place in the State. • The highest work participation rate for Male population is registered in Mandya district

• Among the total workers in the district 82.0 percent are Main workers and 18.0 percent are Marginal workers. • Major work force of 69.4 percent is engaged in Agricultural sector i.e., Cultivators (44.6 percent) and Agricultural Labourers (24.8 percent). • Cultivators constitute 44.6 percent of the total workers in the district and the district holds 2nd rank in the State. • In the district 28.5 percent are Other workers and 2.0 percent of the total workers are engaged in Household Industry. • About 51.7 percent of the total population in the district is non-workers. • Mandya district have 1,477 villages, 7 Statutory Towns and 2 Census Towns. Mandya Taluka Population, Caste, Religion Data - Mandya district, Karnataka Mandya Taluka of Mandya district has total population of 415,153 as per the Census 2011. Out of which 208,607 are males while 206,546 are females. In 2011 there were total 99,024 families residing in Mandya Taluka. The Average Sex Ratio of Mandya Taluka is 990. As per Census 2011 out of total population, 33.1% people lives in Urban areas while 66.9% lives in the Rural areas. The average literacy rate in urban areas is 85.3% while that in the rural areas is 69.6%. Also the Sex Ratio of Urban areas in Mandya Taluka is 1,000 while that of Rural areas is 985. The population of Children of age 0-6 years in Mandya Taluka is 40382 which is 10% of the total population. There are 20797 male children and 19585 female children between the age 0-6 years. Thus as per the Census 2011 the Child Sex Ratio of Mandya Taluka is 942 which is less than Average Sex Ratio ( 990 ) of Mandya Taluka. The total literacy rate of Mandya Taluka is 74.75%. The male literacy rate is 73.28% and the female literacy rate is 61.63% in Mandya Taluka. Population Literacy Sex Ratio

415,153

To facilitate the administration, Mandya Taluka is further divided into 1 town and 183 villages.

As per the Population Census 2011 data, following are some quick facts about Mandya Taluka.

The constitution of India in its preamble states that the state shall ―secure to all its citizens justice-social, economic and political. ―This means that the Scheduled Caste people shall be given as much facilities as are required for their development and to ensure socioeconomic justice and to prevent at all cost the centuries old deprivation and violation of Rights.

As per Article 366(24) Scheduled Caste means such castes, races or tribes or parts of or groups within such castes races or tribes as are deemed under Article 341 to be Scheduled Castes for the purposes of this Constitution:

The President may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it is a State after consultation with the Governor thereof , by public notification, specify the castes, races or tribes or parts of or groups within such castes, races or tribes which shall for the purposes of this relation to that State or Union territory, as they may be. Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Castes specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any caste, race or tribe or part of or group within any caste, race or tribe, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by and subsequent notification. In the Constitution many safeguards have been incorporated Under Article 15(4) and Article 46, State has been asked by the Constitution to make Special provision for their socio-economic advancement and to protect Them from all forms of exploitations. In other words whatever schemes formulated either by state or central government is done by Constitutional mandate. So the people engaged in the implementation of such schemes are doing not only an executive function but also a constitutional function.

The socio-economic and educational development and empowerment Of Scheduled Caste people is the vision of the Scheduled Caste Development Department.

As per the mandate of the constitution innovative schemes for the educational, economic and social development of Scheduled Caste people will be formulated and implemented to bring them at par with the mainstream of the society. The department is designed in such a way so as to deliver speedy, efficient and transparent service to the members of the SC Community. The Constitution of India provides certain special Constitutional safeguards for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections of the population, so that they could take their rightful place in community. As citizens of the Republic of India, they are fully entitled to certain rights and privileges, which were denied to them in the past on the ground of Caste system and the practice of Untouchability. Keeping in view, the Constitutional mandate, The Government of Karnataka, through Social Welfare Department, formulated various programmes and schemes for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (hereafter mentioned as SC & ST) especially for their socio-economic and educational advancement from the year 1956 onwards. To implement various schemes and programmes, both Central and State Government provide funds. Though some of the schemes are funded either wholly or partly by the Central Government through the Special under Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub Plan, majority of the schemes are funded and implemented by State Government alone. The schemes are implemented broadly at three different levels, one at State level (Social Welfare Commissioner ate), other at District level (Zilla Panchayat) and few at the Taluk Panchayat level. These schemes cover the main priority sectors; Education, Employment, Housing, Irrigation, etc.

The department of Social Welfare was established during the year 1956, vide Govt. Order No. SS-4009-SRD-2-56-1 dated 18-10-1956. The very purpose of starting the department is for the welfare of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes/ Other Backward Classes/ Women and men and Children. At present, the Department of Social Welfare is taking care of the welfare of Scheduled Castes only

The Administrative setup of the department has got three levels 1. State Level 2. District Level 3. Taluk Level

At the State Level, the Commissioner of Social Welfare is functioning as the Head of the Department.

All the Programmes of the Social Welfare Department at the District Level are being implemented by the Zilla Panchayats. The District Social Welfare Officer is Head of Social Welfare at the District Level and he will assist the Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat in implementing the Social Welfare Programmes.

Taluk Social Welfare Officer is the Head of the Taluk Social Welfare Office and he will work under the control of taluk Panchayat and assist the Executive Officers, Taluk Panchayat and District Social Welfare Officer of the District for the implementation of Departmental Schemes.

schemes for the upliftment of poor and three important sections are as mentioned below. Education Development Programmes Economic Development Programmes Social Development Programmes

The educational development programmes are the major activity of Scheduled Castes in Social Welfare Development Department. In addition to this, the department is also giving assistance to students of low income groups belonging to backward classes and weaker section. The schemes under this heading can be grouped into the following manner. 1. Assistance to preprimary to Scheduled Castes Students 2. Pre-matric and post matric concessions to Scheduled Castes Students 3. Reservation of seats in educational institutions 4. Pre-matric hostels to accommodate students studying in standard 5 to 10 5. Post matric hostels to accommodate students studying for post matric courses 6. Special incentives to Scheduled Castes students who get 60 % or above marks in SSLC & post matric courses 7. Book Bank scheme for students studying in professional courses. 8. Tustorial system for students who failed in SSLC, Higher Secondary and degree Courses. 9. Educational concessions to parallel college students 10. Educational concession to Scheduled Caste students studying in self-financing colleges 11. Educational concessions to students of ITI and Vocational Institutions 12. Better education scheme with residential facilities 13. Financial assistance to children of those who engaged in unclean occupation 15. Model Residential Schools to impart education to bright students 16. Imparting coaching to appear for civil service through IAS coaching centers 17. Assistance for Centre of Excellence for skill development 18. Pre Examination Training Centers. 19. Entrance coaching (Medical /Engineering) 20. Assistance for subsidized hostels.

1. Self-employment schemes for educated unemployed SC Youths. 2. Apprenticeship to certificate holders of ITI, Eng. Degree & Diploma so as to develop their skill in the trade in which they acquired technical qualifications 3. Advocate grants 4. Free legal aid facilities and related programmes.

1. Housing grant to houseless scheduled castes 2. Interest free housing loan 3. Financial assistance to inter caste married couples 4. Commemoration of temple entry proclamation 5. Payment of financial assistance from Hon‘ble minister‘s distress relief fund to persons who are suffering from incurable diseases. 6. Financial assistance for the publication of Books written by authors belonging to Scheduled Castes community 7. Rehabilitation of victims of Atrocities 8. Purchase of Agricultural land 9. Advocates Grant.

Education takes the top priority in the developmental programmes of the Social Welfare Department. The literacy rate among SC's is quite low. In order to increase the literacy levels and to make SC children educated the Department is implementing several Educational Schemes. Therefore hostel Facilities is very important for students.

In rural areas students living in remote villages find it difficult to continue education, as they have to travel long distance to attend schools and colleges. Therefore, it results in dropouts. Majority of the SC families are very poor and are unable to provide required facilities for the education of their children. Therefore, in order to extend good facilities to the students and to discourage dropouts and also in order to educate and empower SC boys & girls, the Government is running several Pre-Matric and Post-Matric hostels throughout the State. In addition to this, several voluntary agencies are also encouraged to run hostels where ever necessary, by giving them only food charges, building rent and honorarium to the staff. These are called Grant-In-Aid Hostels.

Admissions to all hostels are made through a selection committee at the Taluk level. The Taluk level committee is as follows, 1. MLA of the constituency - chairman 2. Executive Officer of Taluk Panchayat- Member 3. Thasildhar of the Taluk-Member 4. Block Education Officer- Member Hospital- Member 6. Taluk Social Welfare Officer- Member Secretary

In addition to the educational schemes implemented for the welfare of SC student award of Scholarships constitutes an important aspect of Social Welfare Department. Award of scholarships was introduced as an incentive to encourage and facilitate students for further studies. Such scholarships are being awarded from I standard till the completion of their studies to all SC students. These scholarships include

There is an immediate need of the conducting of training programmes of personnel on the following:

Re-orientation training programmes for the hostel wardens and all other staff related to hostel management.

mails formations. Conducting of seminars among the students to create awareness about the various schemes for their welfare. Conducting workshops for the staff as well as for the students to Frame rules and regulations for maintaining the decorum and discipline in the hostels at ground level. Installation of video conferencing system at hostels. Contingency plans should be prepared.

The non-training needs are required to be addressed immediately. Establishing control room at the District and Taluk-level to have better communication with the hostels. Access control should be strengthened with technical gadgets. Transport facilities to be provided for the students to move from hostel to schools and vice-versa. Accommodations at hostels should be re-examined / reviewed. Deficiencies of supporting staff i.e. cook‘s, W C‘s, SWPRS and washer men at different locations of the hostels needs to be reviewed.

2. Providing good quality of food. 3. Educational improvement. 4. Providing good health. 5. All round personality development through sports and other cultural

There are total 85 hostels in the district for both pre-metric and post-metric, where 75% of S.C students and 25% of S.T students. Results in the pre-metric hostel Is better compare to the results of the post-metric hostels.

Lack of the technical knowledge among the staff of the D.S.W.O. Though there are 14 computers in the in office only three members can operate computer. There is no dearth of money in the department. There is fund; there are functions but only deficiency with functionaries. Joint account with the C.E.O and D.C. Tendering system from the state for the procurement of food items. On the next day that is on 25.06.2012 at around 11.30hrs the team visited one post-metric hostel for boys where students of medical and engineering students resides, two pre-metric girls hostels and one professional ladies hostel. In the above hostels discussed various issues with the staff deployed from the D.S.W.O and also with the students of the hostel .The following data has been collected from the post-metric hostel for boys where students of medical and engineering students reside. There is a pucca and permanent building, with 14 rooms, with 6 cots in each room .Thereby 84 students can reside comfortably but in the existing building 106 students are residing with great difficulties. 106 students in the hostel, they have been selected through the central selection committee The Govt. of India has sanctioned the national Merit Scholarship for the meritorious students. The different scholarships are:- 1. Medical and Engineering students Rs 1200/=per month 2. PG students Rs 820/= per month 3. Degree students Rs570/=per month 4. PUC Rs380/= per month In addition to this state Govt. sanctions extra amount of Rs 30/=to the PG students, Rs280 for Degree students and Rs 470 for the PUC students. Each student will get on an average of Rs 850/=per month and per student. There are three cooks in the hostel. The menu chart is displayed in the dining hall. Hostel is very badly maintained. There is no cleanliness and hygiene in the hostel. Warden has no control over the students There is no co-ordination and co-operation between the warden and the students. There is no access control at the entrance of the hostel. Only one water purifier is there that is not sufficient for 100 students Solar heater is there but not in working condition. Interaction with the Students of the hostels:- The following are the outcomes of interaction with the students. There are 14 rooms with six cots each where 84 students can reside comfortably, whereas 106 students are residing with great difficulty Students are facing problems in getting their admission tickets and marks cards due to non- payment of their fees through Taluk social welfare office Only one water purifier is there for 106 students Solar heater is not in a working condition Frequent power shut downs Menu card is strictly followed but the quality is not maintained Menu card is not revised Social welfare department hostel pest analysis: throughout the districts and in the Mysore Taluk spread within the radius of 5 kilometers from the Taluk office. All the hostels are located in the habitat area and in the office area Schools are close by to the hostels [not more than 3 kilometers] ECONOMIC CLIMATE: It is a good welfare scheme for the upliftment of the scheduled cast/tribes under various programmes and funds for the implementation of the schemes providing infrastructure, logistic support, education and scholarships are provided by the center as well as the state government SOCIAL CLIMATE: Since it is the governed by the state as well as the central government, no privatization is recommended. The students are from the low income family, most of the parents are ignorant and illiterate the families need interaction through the seminars by the D.S.W.O. TECHNOLOGICAL CLIMATE: Improper knowledge of technical gadgets provided with the hostels for upgrading the information about the students and maintaining the records/data pertaining the administrative work and other aspects.

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Research Scholar, SVN University, Sagar, MP