Social Safety Program for Scheduled Castes/tribes

Social Safety Program
Practice, Promotion and incitement of untouchability are a serious offense. The Citizenship Right Protection Act of 1955 passed in 1955 & modified in 1976 has provisions for treating such cases seriously and punishing the guilty. Parliament passed another law in 1989 to prevent crimes against Scheduled Castes/tribes. As per this Act measures are taken to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes/to pursue legal action against offenders and provide relief and rehabilitation to Scheduled caste people and their dependents who have been victims of such attacks.

Such incidents of atrocities should be reported immediately in writing to the concerned Police Station and respective District Development Officer.

Awareness Seminar
Seminars, awareness camps and medical camps are conducted involving Scheduled caste/Scheduled tribe people, social workers, students and public. The aim is to create awareness about the ill effects of untouchability and to prevent crimes against Scheduled caste/tribes.

Rehabilitation of the weaker sections among the Scheduled castes
As per this scheme aid is given to the most backward sections of Scheduled castes like Nayadi, Vedan, Vettuvan etc. to buy land and build houses. A total of Rs.1,02,500/- is allowed of which Rs.32,500/- is to buy land and Rs.70,000 to construct house. The scheme is implemented through Local Self governing bodies like Block Panchayats & Municipalities.

Relief fund
A relief fund has been organised for the welfare of Backward Classes and Scheduled Communities. It aims at providing relief for families whose annual income is below Rs.25,000. This include death of an earning member of a family, medical expenses in illness requiring long term treatment, losses due to natural calamities, fire etc. Up to Rs.25,000/- is given as financial aid. To avail this aid, application along with caste, income certificate, doctor?s certificate and revenue officer?s certificate has to be produced before District Scheduled Caste development Officer or the Minister directly.

Literary Workshops
Literary workshops are conducted every year to promote literary talent among writers belonging to Scheduled caste/tribes and other classes.

Publication of a monthly
From January 2003, Scheduled caste/ tribe Development Department is publishing a monthly "Padavukal". It aims to create awareness about the developmental activities of the Department, to promote and speed up development and identify and nurture creativity among dalit population, introduce world class dalit literature to Malayali readers and publish stories, poems, features etc. promoting dalit social development.

Folk Arts Festival
A festival of folk arts is conducted every year of to preserve and promote the folk arts of the scheduled castes/tribes.

Observance of Social Solidarity
Every year, under the auspices of Scheduled caste/tribes Department Social Solidarity is observed for 2 weeks from Gandhi Jayanthi (October 2). During this period many developmental activities are carried out throughout the state.

Temple Entry Proclamation Memorial Day Celebrations
Every year 27th of the month Thulam according to the Malayalam calendar is celebrated by Scheduled Caste Development Department as Temple Entry Proclamation Memorial Day. As part of the Celebration, outstanding social workers are given cash awards and mementos.

Cash awards are given to 14 social workers selected from all districts. Ayyankali prize, a cash award of Rs.2002/ is given to one social worker each from Scheduled caste and Scheduled tribe who have made significant contributions. Dr. Ambedkar award , a cash prize of Rs.30,000/- and memento is given to a social worker selected from Scheduled caste, another from Scheduled tribe and also one from other castes in the State. A voluntary organization is also given this award.

The Ambedkar Media Award instituted from 2003 is given to a journalist who has handled effectively issues relating to Scheduled caste / tribes. The award carries a cash prize of Rs.30,000 and certificate of honour. This is the highest award in the media by the State Government.

Dr.Ambedkar House
To co-ordinate and promote Scheduled caste/tribe development programmes it is proposed to construct Dr.Ambedkar Bhavan at Mannanthala in Thiruvananthapuram. The proposed Bhavan will house a library, auditorium, Dalit museum, Art gallery, Civil Services exam coaching centre and officers training centre.