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OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES
Services like education, housing, technical education, health, labour welfare, rehabilitation of displaced persons and welfare of Backward Classes have been more or less compartmentalised in the broad category of social services, with the services which are meant f or the under-privileged or handicapped sections of the community to rise as close to the level of normal community life have found a place under the category of social welfare services. It is almost as obligation on the part of a progressive modern State to promote the general well being of the community. The modern welfare State is built on a strong framework of social services. In a welfare State, all are assured of adequate help in case of need which may be due to illness, old age, physical or mental handicap, or unemployment. State assistance is given as a right, not as a charity, and no stigma of pauperism is attached to those who receive it.
The
implementation of welfare services is the joint is joint responsibility of
State Government and the voluntary welfare agencies. The responsibility for the
implementation of Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes Programmes is entrusted
with the Central and State Governments. The voluntary social welfare
organisations deal mainly with non-statutory services of general social welfare
for women, children, handicapped, and other vulnerable group. Thus, the
voluntary social welfare organisations share a major responsibility in the
implementation of social welfare policy.1
Labour welfare is term, which is used with considerable elasticity. In its widest implication, it means everything that contribution to the improvement of the health ,safety, general well-being and productive efficiency of the worker. Labour welfare includes such services, facilities amenities as may be established in or in the vicinity of undertakings to enable the persons employed in them to perform their work in healthy, congenial surrounding and provided with amenities conducive to good health and high morale. It also includes adequate canteens, rest and recreation facilities, sanitary facilities, arrangements for transportation to and from work and the accommodation of workers employed at a distance from their home.
The Punjab is probably the first State to have set-up the Punjab Industrial Safety Council in May 1969, on the pattern of the National Safety Council. This is a non-government and non–political voluntary organisation. Factory owners and associations of workers, Government departments and all other persons who are interested in safety can become members of this council, which shall advise, organise, encourage and promote methods and procedures for ensuring the safety and health of the industrial workers.
1.
Wadia, A.R. (edited by), History and Philosophy of Social Work in India,
(Bombay, 1961), p,487
Dabey,
S.N. Administration of Social Welfare Programmes in India,
(Bombay, 1973), p, 78
Before the Independents, there was no separate organisation to look after the interests of the industrial labour and other workers and to deal with their day-to-day problems in Punjab. It was only in 1949 that a separate Labour Department was set-up under the charge of a whole time Labour Commissioner.
The primary function of the Labour Department is to maintain peaceful industrial relations in the State and also to further the labour welfare measures whether statutory on non-statutory. It ensures, subject to certain limitations, that working conditions for labour conform to a certain minimum of safety and comfort, that wages are adequate and regularly paid, and that any unfortunate injuries are suitably treated and compensated for. Its machinery seeks to provide medical care and model-housing for as many labourers and their dependents as possible. The prevention of industrial disputes and their settlement, as and when these arise, form the main plank of the activities of the Labour Department.
The Labour-cum-Conciliation Officer, Batala, represents the Labour Department in the Gurdaspur District. He is assisted by one Inspector of Factories, one Labour Inspector Grade I, and one Labour Inspector Grade II, all posted at Batala, and one Labour Inspector Grade II posted at Pathankot. The Labour-cum-Conciliation Officer deals with the administration and disputes under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. He intervenes in industrial disputes on receipt of demand notices by the workmen employers. Under the law, he can also intervene if there is an apprehension of occurrence of industrial disputes. He, therefore, remains quite vigilant and as and when he receives indication regarding the occurrence of industrial disputes, he gets in touch with the employers/employees concerned so as to prevent the differences from assuming any serious form. If he fails to settle disputes, the matter is referred, through Government, to the Labour Court, Jullundur, or the Industrial Tribunal, Punjab, Chandigarh. Appointed under section 7-A of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Industrial Tribunal, Punjab, Chandigarh, plays a very important role in the redress of grievances of the industrial workers in the State.
Labour
Legislation
Labour legislation is that body of legal enactments and judicial principles which deals with employment and non-employment, wages, working conditions, industrial relations, social security and labour welfare of industrially employed persons. It is that part of the State action by which the “State, through parliamentary enactments, has intervened in the conduct of industry and imposed statutory obligations for the most part on the employers and, to a subsidiary degree, on the workmen”.
Labour legislation is a result of evolution of the concept of social justice. Therefore, the nature of labour legislation reflects the social, economic and political ideas current at a given time. Labour courts and industrial tribunals have a different approach to the settlement of disputes. They collect facts from the disputants and from other sources with the purpose of forming an opinion, as to what compulsory solution or award is likely to be most just. If need be, the tribunal may modify existing contracts and create new provisions. The philosophy underlying labour laws is to a minister justice, not only by interpreting existing law but also by creating new law by taking light from public policy and current social climate. Labour legislation is that paramount effort of the community which has granted a real equality to workmen. It is the expression of the feelings of the people which gives practical shape to current human and social values prevalent in the community.
The State follows the labour policy of the Government of India, which is generally based on the principles enunciated in the provisions laid down in the International Labour Code of the International Labour Organisation. Under the Constitution of India, the enactments as well as the administration of labour laws is the responsibility of both the Union and State Governmetns2.
The salient features of the Central and State Labour Acts in force in the district are given below :
The Factories Act, 1948, is the latest measure which cancels all the previous Factory Act and instead makes comprehensive provisions regarding factory labour in regard to health, safety and welfare of workers. The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, is a comprehensive measure adopted by the Central Government with a view to improving industrial relations. It provides for the investigation and settlement of industrial relations. It provides for the investigation and settlement of industrial disputes by mediation, conciliation, adjudication and arbitration. It prohibits strikes and lock-out during the pendency of conciliation and adjudication proceedings. The payment of Wages Act, 1936, provides for regular and prompt payment of wages and to limit the deductions on account of unjust fines. The Act applies to all factories and railways. The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, ensures the fixation revision of minimum rates of wages in respect of certain scheduled Industries involving hard labour. The Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, provides for compensation to workmen who sustain injuries by accidents during the course of employment. The amount of compensation in case of a fatal accident depends upon the average monthly wages of the decreased and in the case of injury, on the monthly wage and the extent of the injury. The Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926, gives registered trade unions a legal and corporate status. It also gives immunity, from civil, and criminal liability to trade union executives and members for bonafide trade union activities. Briefly, the provisions of the Act cover such matters as registration of trade unions, their rights and liabilities, procedure and fees payable for the registration and transfer of registration, auditing of accounts of unions. The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, is another important piece of legislation which aims at defining the conditions of recruitment, discharge, disciplinary action, holidays, leave, etc. of the workers employed in industrial undertaking. The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961, marks another milestone in the field of labour legislation, as it seek to regulate and ameliorate the conditions of workers in the transport undertakings employing five or more workers.
_______________________________________________________________
2. Vaid, K.N., State and Labour and India, (Bombay, 1965), pp.7-8,
13
The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, provides for the payment of bonus to the workers. The Employment of Children Act, 1938, prohibits the employment of young children below the age of 15 years in certain risky and unhealthy occupations. The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, contemplates the provision of medical benefits, and payment of sickness benefit to insured workers in case of sickness, indisposition, disability, etc. The Employees’ Provident Fund Act, 1952, seeks to make a provision for the future of the industrial worker after he retires or for his dependents in the case of his early death. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, provides for the payment of maternity benefit to women workers for a period of 12 weeks.
The Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958, regulates the working conditions, hours of work, rest interval and weekly rest as also holidays, leave and overtime of workers employed in the shops and commercial establishments. The Act also provides for opening and closing hours of establishments and entitling the employees to go to courts to get their grievances redressed. The Punjab Labour Welfare Funds Act, 1965, provides for the setting up of a Labour Welfare Board and appointment of a Welfare Commissioner. The unclaimed wages of the employees and the accumulation of fines have to be credited to the Labour Welfare Fund, out of which the Board is to finance various labour welfare activities sponsored by the Board. A Labour Welfare Board is already functioning in the State. Labour Commissioner is the Welfare Commissioner under the Act. The Punjab Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays, Casual and Sick Leave) Act, 1965, provides for the grant of 7 days national and festival holidays, 7 days casual leave on full wages and 14 days sick leave at half wages, to all the employees covered under the Act.
In order to secure proper benefits under the labour enactments, an adequate enforcement machinery works under the Labour Commissioner, Punjab, Chandigarh. He is assisted at the district level by Labour-cum-Conciliation Officer, Factory Inspectors, Labour Inspectors and other miscellaneous staff.
According to the 1971 Census, the number of workers in the Gurdaspur District was 3,24,852, forming 26.4 per cent of the total population of the district.3 In the same year, the average daily number of workers employed in the 316 registered working factories in the district was 7,4694. In 1973, the number of registered working factories rose to 350 and the average daily number of workers employed in them to 8,5185.
Industrial Relations. – The objective of industrial relations is to facilitate production and to safegaurd the interest of labour and management by securing their co-operation. The main problems are not strikes and lock-outs but the regulation of working conditions and the promotion of better understanding between management and the working people. The relations between the employees and the employers are governed by the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The industrial relations machinery set up under the
_______________________________________________________________
3. Census of India, 1971, Series 17, Punjab,
Part II-A, General Population Tables, p. 162
4. Statistical Abstract of Punjab, 1972. p. 224
5. Statistical Abstract of Punjab, 1974 p. 182
legislation is of two types. One is for the prevention of disputes by providing Works Committees within the industrial units. The other is the industrial relations machinery outside the industry which consist of (i) Permanent Conciliation Officers, (ii) Conciliation Boards, (iii) Courts of Enquiry and (iv) Industrial Tribunals.
The Labour-cum-Conciliation Officer is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Act in the district. He is to hold conciliation proceedings in the prescribed manner if any industrial dispute exists or is apprehended or where the dispute relates to a public utility service and a notice under section 22 has been given. For bringing about a settlement of the dispute without delay, he is required to investigate into all matters affecting the dispute on their merits. He may also take appropriate course of action with a view of making the parties to come to a fair and amicable settlement of the disputs6. He remains quite vigilant and, as and when he receives indication regarding the occurrence of industrial disputes, he gets in touch with the employers/employees concerned so as to prevent the differences from assuming any serious form.
The relations between the employees and the employers in the district are normally peaceful but sometimes, these become strained and strike/lock-outs take place in the district : New Egerton Woollen Mills, Dhariwal, in 1967, Gupta Rubber Conduit Pipe Factory, Dinanagar, in 1970, and BECO Engineering Co., Batala, in 1971.
The labour situation is reflected by the number of man-days lost. The man-days lost is like a barometer which gives reading of situation of industrial unrest resulting in strikes/lock-outs within any given period. The following table gives particulars regarding the industrial disputes in the Gurdaspur District, under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, from 1966 to 1972. –
Number
of Industrial Disputes in Gurdaspur District, 1966 to 1972
|
Year |
|
Number of dispute |
Number of strikes and lock-outs |
Number of workers involved in strikes |
Number of man-days lost |
||||
|
1966 |
.. |
.. |
1 |
268 |
5,077 |
|
|||
|
1967 |
.. |
93 |
3 |
2,661 |
54,233 |
|
|||
|
1968 |
.. |
210 |
1 |
81 |
567 |
|
|||
|
1969 |
.. |
269 |
2 |
402 |
4,422 |
|
|||
|
1970 |
.. |
291 |
8 |
457 |
18,280 |
|
|||
|
1971 |
.. |
243 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
|
|||
|
1972 |
.. |
219 |
1 |
31 |
93 |
|
|||
|
(Source: Labour-cum-Conciliation Officer, Batala) |
|||||||||
6. Agnihotri, V., Industrial Relations in India, (Delhi,
1970), pp.3,50,107
Works Committee.- Section 3 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, provides for the constitution of Works Committees in the industrial establishment employing 100 or more workers. The function of these committees is to promote harmonious relations between workers and employers and to dissolve difference in the initial stages. The Act provides that the number of representative of workmen shall not be less than the number of representative of the employers. The total number of members shall not exceed twenty. The term of office of the representative of the committee shall be two years, except for a member chosen a casual vacancy.
The Factory Act, 1948.- The Factories Act, 1948, which came into operation on April 11, 1949, covers all power-using industrial establishments employing 10 or more workers and establishment employing 20 or more workers and not using power. The Act lays down that the occupier of a factory shall before occupation send to the Chief Inspector of Factories a written notice containing full details regarding the factory. The Act prescribes certain provisions regarding sanitation, temperature, ventilation, safety measures, prevention of over crowding, the provision of amenities, precautionary measures against fir, dangerous fumes, explosive or inflammable dust, etc. With a view to ensuring the enforcement of these provisions, the inspectorate staff are required to carry out a minimum number of inspections every month in specified staff issue warnings and notices to the managements, whereas in case of serious or repeated violations necessary prosecutions are launched against the defaulters in the courts of law. In order to bring about an improvement in efficiency and quality of inspection work, and tone up the administration, every month atleast two test checks over the inspections conducted by the Labour Inspectors are carried out.
Previously, the prosecutions were launched without giving much opportunity to the managements for rectifying the defects. But now for certain offences such as grant/renewal of licences, display of notices, approval of factory building plans, etc. the managements are afforded chances/opportunities to rectify the defects. But, if a factory management does not remove the defects even then, the department has to take recourse to legal action under the Act.
The number of working factories registered under the Act in the district was 316 in 1971, 337 in 1972 and 350 in 19738. Labour Welfare Officers have been employed by M/s New Egerton Woollen Mills, Dhariwal and M/s The Batala Co-operative Sugar Mills, Batala, to look after the general welfare of the employees.
Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme. - Under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Family Pension Funds Act, 1952, compulsory provident fund has been introduced in certain specified industrial establishments.
_______________________________________________________________
7. Ibid pp.110, 112, 143
8. Statistical Abstract of Punjab, 1972,
p, 224
Statistical Abstract of Punjab, 1973, p, 216
Statistical
Abstract of Punjab, 1974, p, 182
Every employee of an establishment to which the Provident Fund Scheme applies is eligible for membership of the fund after completion of one year’s continuous service or 240 days of actual work during a period of twelve months. Contribution at the rate of 6 ½ per cent is deducted from the basic pay, dearness allowance (inclusive of cash value of food concessions, if any admissible) and retaining allowance of employees who get a pay of Rs 1,000 per month or less. An amount equal to the worker’s contribution is contributed by the employer every month. The entire amount is deposited in the State Bank of India in the employee’s provident fund accounts.
Provision has also been made, under the scheme, for grant of advances under certain conditions to the members for (i) financing life insurance policies, (ii) construction of houses and (iii) to defray medical expenses, from their share of contributions to the fund.
By March 31, 1972, 203 factories/establishments were covered under the Act in the Gurdaspur district. The total number of subscribes to the scheme in the district, as on March 31,1972, was 12,275.
The Chief Executive Officer of the scheme is the Central Provident Fund Commissioner, New Delhi. The scheme is executed in the State through the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Chandigarh. Provision has also been made for appointment of Inspectors to punish the defaulters. Employers are required to maintain a contribution card for each employee in which monthly contributions are recorded. These cards can be seen or inspected at any time.
Death Relief Fund was set-up in 1964 to give timely financial assistance to the nominees/heirs of the deceased members. A minimum of Rs 500 is given by way of relief. A non-refundable advance is also granted in case of the individuals retrenchment from service.
Employees’ State Insurance Scheme. - The Employees’ State Insurance scheme is an integrated measures of social insurance embodied in the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, and is designed to accomplish the task of protecting ‘employees’ as defined in the Act against the hazards of sickness, maternity, disablement and death due to employment injury and to provide medical care to insured persons and progressively to their families. The Employees’ State Insurance Scheme was introduced in the Punjab in 1953. It is designed to provide security to the industrial workers against sickness, maternity and employment injury in the form of cash benefits. The scheme protects all employees engaged on a monthly remuneration not exceeding Rs 500 in a power using factory where 20 or more persons are employed. Persons employed for wages on any work connected with the administration of the factory or purchase of raw materials, or distribution or sale of the product of a factory are also covered. The scheme, however, does not apply to the mines under the operation of the Mines Act, 1952, Railway Running Sheds, Naval, Military and Air Force Workshops and specified seasonal factories.
The Act places the primary responsibility of paying his as well as the employees’ share of the contribution on the principal employers. The contribution in respect of an employees’ share is to be deducted from his wages by the principal employer. The amount of weekly contribution, payable in respect of an employee, depends on his average wages during that week, and contributions are payable in respect of every week for the whole or part of which an employee is employed and receives wages.
The Employees’ State Insurance Scheme is administered by a corporate body called the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, which has its headquarters at New Delhi. It is under the administrative control of the Director-General, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, New Delhi. The scheme is executed in the State through the Regional Director, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, Chandigarh, who inspects factories, collects contributions and arranges payments of cash benefits.
The provision of medical benefits is statutory responsibility of the State Government and the facilities are to be provided in accordance with the standards laid down by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation. Most of the expenditure on medical care is contributed by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, and only 1/8th of the expenditure is borne by the State Government. The expenditure on other cash benefits is to be met entirely out of the Employees’ State Insurance Fund and is arranged by the Regional Director.
The scheme was introduced at Batala and Dhariwal with effect from May 17, 1953, and November 29, 1959, respectively. At Batala, the medical care/facilities are provided to the insured through panel system. At Dhariwal, medical benefits are provided through service system, and an E. S. I. Dispensary has been established there for the benefit of the workers. Up to March 31, 1972, there were 2,700 and 3,500 insured persons at Batala and Dhariwal, respectively, covered under the scheme.
Subsided
Industrial Housing Scheme
The Punjab Industrial Housing Scheme Act, 1956, provides for allotment and administration of houses constructed under the Government of India Subsidised Industrial Housing Schemes. Houses are allotted to workers on merit. However, in genuine cases, 10 per cent out of turn allotment of accommodation can be made by the Labour Commissioner who is the competent authority for the administration of the said Act.
Under the scheme, the State Government had till March 31, 1972, constructed 118 houses (58 at Batala and 60 at Dhariwal) in the Gurdaspur district for industrial workers. In 1973-74, under the subsidised Industrial Housing Schemes for workers, the Batala Co-operative Sugar Mills, Batala, was given a subsidy of Rs 76,000 for construction of 40 two-roomed double storeyed houses.
Like other districts of the State, Gurdaspur is also a wet district. As on March 31, 1972, there were 84 country liquor vends and 7 foreign liquor vends in the district.
The consumption of exciseable articles in the district, during 1967-68 to 1971-72, is given below :
|
Year |
|
Country Spirit (Proof Litres) |
Foreign Spirit (Proof Litres) |
Wine and Beer (Bulk Liters) |
Opium (Kgs.) |
Bhang (Kgs.) |
|
1967-68 |
.. |
5,74,734 |
44,818 |
65,348 |
0.937 |
23,730 |
|
1968-69 |
.. |
5,09,522 |
61,631 |
6,846 |
.. |
.. |
|
1969-70 |
.. |
2,54,761 |
64,488 |
.. |
1.000 |
.. |
|
1970-71 |
.. |
5,98,224 |
82,030 |
94,300 |
0.574 |
.. |
|
1971-72 |
|
5,96,000 |
48,771 |
84,436 |
.. |
.. |
(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab, 1968 to 1972)
The Gurdaspur District falls under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Jullundur. The Excise and Taxation Officer, Gurdaspur, is assisted by 1 Additional Excise and Taxation Officer, 9 Assistant Excise and Taxation Officers, 27 Taxation Inspectors, and 7 Excise Inspectors. He administers the Excise and Opium Acts in the district.
The number of cases registered under these Acts, 1967-68 to 1971-72, is given below :
|
Year |
|
No. of cases registered |
||
|
|
Excise Act |
Opium Act |
Total |
|
|
1967-68 |
.. |
670 |
170 |
840 |
|
1968-69 |
.. |
1308 |
255 |
1563 |
|
1969-70 |
.. |
1418 |
214 |
1632 |
|
1970-71 |
.. |
1831 |
155 |
1986 |
|
1971-72 |
.. |
1320 |
90 |
1410 |
(Source : Excise and Taxation Officer, Gurdaspur)
(c) Advancement of Backward Classes and
Tribes
The Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes are highly disadvantageous groups in the Indian society. Development programmes have, therefore, been formulated for their up-lift and welfare. There are no persons belonging to the Scheduled Tribes in the Punjab.
Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes :
According to the
1961 Census, the number of Scheduled Castes persons in the district was
1,93,505 (1,03,071 males and 90,434 females), forming 19.6 per cent of the
total population of the district. Out
of these 1,70,449 (90,429 males and 80,020 females), i.e. 88.1 per cent, lived
in rural areas and 23,056 (12,642 males and 10,414 females) i. e. 11.9 per
cent, lived in urban areas. The
Mahashas (61,482) were the most numerous among the Scheduled Castes and next
were Chamars (54,497), Mazhabis (33,346),
Meghs (12,082), Kabirpanthis (8,505), Balmikis (7,754), Sansis (5,016)
and Batwals (4,451). 9
According
to the 1971 Census, the number of Scheduled Castes persons in the district rose
to 2,67,110 (1,41,423 males and 1,25,687 females), forming 21.7 per cent of the
total population of the district. Out
of these, 2,25,173 (1,18,899 males and 1,06,274 females) i.e. 84.3 per cent
lived in rural areas and 41,937 (22,624 males and 19,413 females) i. e. 15.7
per cent lived in urban areas.10
The name of the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes inhabiting and Gurdaspur District along with their main professions are given in the Appendix at pages 426-427 at the end of this chapter.
Measures
adopted for betterment of the condition of Scheduled Castes and Backward
Classes
The Constitution of India provides for special safeguards for the Backward Classes which include Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, denotified tribes and other backward classes. It is recognised that these groups need special assistance in order to come on par with the rest of the community, socially, educationally and economically. These classes have been described as Scheduled Castes, because their names have been listed in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950. Their rights and interests have been safeguarded. The Constitution also provides that no discrimination can be made against them in any shape of form. Article 15 (4) of the constitution empowers the States to make special provision for the advancement of Scheduled Castes.
Since the welfare of the Harijans was assigned to the State as their special responsibility, many of the States undertook and brought into effect legislation pertaining to the abolition of untouchability and removal of hardships and disabilities imposed upon them. The Punjab took the lead in enacting legislation for abolition of untouchability. The Punjab Removal of the Religious and Social Disabilities Act, 1948, was passed to ensure free and unhindered use of public places by the Harijans. The government have also enacted the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955, which declares the practice of untouchability in any form as a cognizable offence.
The Directive Principles, as laid down in the Constitution make it binding upon the State to adopt special measure for ameliorating the lot of these neglected classes and tribes. No effort has, therefore, been spared to improve the socio-economic conditions of the members of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes. The Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, Punjab, Chandigarh, attends to the work of the uplift and advancement of the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes in the State.
To look after the work at the district level, the officer of the district Welfare Officer was established in 1955-56. He is assisted by 3 Tahsil Welfare Officers, posted one each at the tahsil headquarters, viz. Gurdaspur, Batala and Pathankot. He is also assisted by an Accountant, a Male Social worker, 10 Lady Social Workers, 3 Clerks and 10 Lady Attendants.
Under Articles 330 and 332 of the Constitution, provision has been made for the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes, among other, in the Parliament as also in the State Legislatures on population basis. This reservation was for a period of 10 years, i.e. up to 1960. The period bas been further extended up to 1980. In order to provide employment to the educated boys and girls of theses castes, 25 per cent of the vacancies for Scheduled Castes and 5 per cent for Backward Classes have been reserved in all Government posts and services. To ensure proper implementation of the instructions regarding reservation in services, a special cell has been created in the Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes. No department can recruit a non-Scheduled Caste candidate against a post reserved for Scheduled Castes unless a certificates is obtained from the cell to the effect that no suitable scheduled caste candidate was available. The Scheduled Castes also enjoy age limit concessions in the matter of recruitment to services.
The schemes implemented for the uplift of the Scheduled Castes, Vimukt Jatis and Backward Classes are as follows;-
1. Social Welfare Schemes
The State Welfare Department has implemented the following schemes:
(i) Subsidy for Construction of New Houses.- The member of Scheduled Castes and Vimukt Jatis generally either slums in urban areas or they have very scanty accommodation in the proverbial unhygienic Harijan bastis (colonies). They do not have their own resources to build houses themselves. In order to help them, subsidies are granted for the construction of new houses. A subsidy of Rs 900 each is granted for the deserving and needing persons. Unskilled labour /sites are provided by the beneficiaries themselves. The house constructed under this scheme consists of a room, a verandah, a kitchen and a courtyard, with a total area of 5 or 6 marlas.
Under the scheme, the beneficiaries are bound not to alienate the properties so acquired by them. The property rights of the house are fully vested in Government for a period of 20 years, after which the house becomes the property of the beneficiary. However, the latter enjoys free use of the house during this period.
The total amount of subsidies granted and the number of beneficiaries under the scheme, during 1966-67 to 1971-72, are given below :
|
Year |
|
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
No. of beneficiaries |
|
1966-67 |
.. |
11,700 |
13 |
|
1967-68 |
.. |
900 |
1 |
|
1968-69 |
.. |
900 |
1 |
|
1969-70 |
.. |
900 |
1 |
|
1970-71 |
.. |
900 |
1 |
|
1971-72 |
.. |
8,100 |
9 |
(Source : District Welfare Officer, Gurdaspur)
(ii) Subsidy for Purchase of House-sites. - As there was a loud cry against ejectments, the Central Government advised the State Governments as early as September 1952, to enact suitable legislation so as to confer proprietary rights on the Scheduled Castes people in respect of the lands on which they could build their houses, whether they belong to the landlords or are the common property of the Village, and also to allot additional house-sites in order to remove congestion. The Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961, confers upon the Harijans the proprietary rights over the sites under their houses. A sum of Rs 200 is granted as a subsidy to each deserving and needy member of Scheduled Casts and Vimukt Jatis for the purchase of house-sites. The scheme was introduced in the State in 1958-59, but it was dropped in 1967-68 as no landowner was ready to give plots for house sites for such a meagre sum of Rs 200 each. The amount sanctioned and the number of house-sites provided, during 1966-67, were Rs 5,600 and 28, respectively.
(iii) Land Scheme. – The members of Scheduled Castes and Vimukt Jatis generally depend on agriculture, but most of them have no land of their own. They, thus, earn their livelihood by taking land on lease or on batai which does not yield enough produce for the maintenance of an average family. Up to the year 1970-71, each approved Harijan beneficiary was granted a subsidy of Rs 2,000, for the purchase of at least 5 acres of agricultural land, costing not less than Rs 4,500. The balance of the price of land, i. e. Rs 2,500 was contributed by the beneficiary from his own resources or by raising a loan from the Land Mortgage Bank. Consequent upon steep rise in the price of agricultural land in the past few years, this scheme was virtually at a standstill, as poor Harijans were unable to purchase 5 acres of agricultural land with the amount of subsidy Rs 2,000 and by contributing Rs 2,500, and from their meagre resources. Therefore, form Rs 5,000, and the area of land to be purchased has been reduced from 5 acres to 3 acres. Each beneficiary has to contribute at least Rs 2,500 from his own resources as heretofore. Under this scheme, another amount Rs 500 is given to each beneficiary for the sinking of a well on the land for irrigation purpose of for the construction of house theron. Another amount of Rs 180 is given to each approved Harijan beneficiary as stamp duty for the registration of land purchase by him.
The scheme was introduced in 1956-57. The amount of subsidies granted and the number of beneficiaries, i.e. persons settled on land under the schemes, in the district, during 1966-67 to 1971-72, are given below :
|
Year |
|
Amount disbursed as subsidies |
No. of beneficiaries |
||
|
|
|
Scheduled Castes (Rs) |
Vimukt Jatis (Rs) |
Scheduled Castes |
Vimukt Jatis |
|
1966-67 |
.. |
13,400 |
2,680 |
5 |
1 |
|
1967-68 |
.. |
8,040 |
.. |
3 |
.. |
|
1968-69 |
.. |
5,360 |
2,680 |
2 |
1 |
|
1969-70 |
.. |
8,040 |
.. |
3 |
.. |
|
1970-71 |
.. |
8,040 |
2,680 |
3 |
1 |
|
1971-72 |
.. |
11,360 |
.. |
2 |
.. |
(Source
: District Welfare Officer, Gurdaspur)