It was felt by the Government that to look after the interests of the Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes and other backward classes, there should be a separate department.  A separate Department of the State Govt. named as Tribal Welfare came into existence in W.B. in 1952. The name was changed to Backward Classes Welfare Department in 1977.

The main functions of the Dept. are (a) to look after the educational schemes for upliftment of SC, ST and OBC, (b) to supervise issue of Caste Certificates and enforce Reservation rules in services and educational institutions, (c) to implement schemes for their Social and Cultural development, and (d) to implement schemes for their economic upliftment.

There are 59 Scheduled Castes, 38 Scheduled Tribes and 60 recognised Backward Classes in the State. Out of 8 Block in this district, Balurghat, Tapan and Kushmandi blocks have 50% and more SC/ST population as per 1991 Census. Besides, out of 2317 villages, 357 villages of this district is Scheduled Castes dominated and No. of  ITDP mouzas are 432.

Blockwise population figures of Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes
(As per 1991 Census)

ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT

Educational Schemes funded by State Govt.

Grants for purchase of books are given to all eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes students reading in Class V to X at approved rates, irrespective of any income of the parents / guardians.

Current Rate of Book Grants

Class V : Rs. 20, Class VI : Rs 50, Class VII : Rs 150, Class VIII : Rs 150, Class IX : Rs 200, Class X : Rs 100.

Hostel Charges

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes student of secondary stage (from Class V to Class X) residing in hostels are given grants @ Rs 300 per month for 10 months in a year on account of hostel charges. From 01.04.2002 the rate has been enhanced to Rs 400 per month.

Maintenance charges

SC and ST Day Scholars of Secondary stage (from Class V to X) belonging to the families having annual income within 18,000 are given maintenance charges @ Rs 40 per month for 12 months in a year. Selection of beneficiaries under this scheme is done by Panchayats, Municipalities, etc.

Grants for payment of Examination Fees

Grants are given to SC & ST students appearing at the Madhymik Examination for payment of examination fees at the rate approved by West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. Present rate is Rs 155.

Assistance for construction and upkeep of hostels

Lump grants have been sanctioned to Educational Institution of Primary, Secondary and College level for the purpose of Construction / re-construction of hostels with a view to extending hostel facilities for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes students.

Special Coaching

To train SC and ST students for better results in Joint Entrance examination, 9 SC students and 4 ST students of Balurghat High School are given special coaching.

Computer Training

The Department has also arranged for giving Computer training to SC and ST students of Post-Matric stage in collaboration with Youth Service Department.

Ashram Hostel

Ashram Hostels were constructed for providing residential facilities to SC and ST students reading in Primary, Jr. High and High School stages, so that they can continue their studies in congenial atmosphere. At present 11 Ashram Hostels are running in the district. The Ashramites are provided residential facilities, meal charges @ Rs 400 per month per student for 12 months, Garments charges @ Rs 80 per student per annum, Sports & Games @ Rs 50 per student per annum, Medical allowance, Bedding @ Rs 100 for every year and Kerosine oil @ Rs 300 per annum.

School Attached Hostels at Pre-Matric Stage

In Dakshin Dinajpur there are 40 Schools with attached hostels. 900 SC boys and girls and 1005 ST boys and girls are getting the benefit under the scheme.

Merit Scholarship for SC / ST Girls

To encourage the girl students belonging to SC / ST communities in pursuance of education, a merit scholarship scheme has been introduced. The rate of Scholarship for Class V to VI is Rs 100 per month, VII to VIII is Rs 125 per month and IX and X is Rs 150 per month for each selected student.

Merit Scholarship for SC/ST students

Under Merit Scholarship scheme for SC/ST students studying in Class IX to XII, students are paid Scholarship @ Rs 400 per month. Income ceiling of the guardians / parents is Rs 36,000 per year.

Central Hostels for Post-Matric Students

One Central Hostel for Girls with 60 hostellers capacity is running at Balurghat Mahila Mahavidyalaya premises under direct control and supervision of the department. Construction of 2 (two) Central Hostels for boys with capacity of 60 each, is going on at Gangarampur and Balurghat College and expected to be started from next session.

Community Development Scheme

For development of infrastructure – roads, bridges, culverts and irrigation facilities in areas inhabited by SC/ST, a considerable amount is being sanctioned each year under special Central Assistance to Special Component Plan and under SCA to Tribal Sub-plan.

Lump Grants to Zilla Parishad

Lump provision for grants to Zilla Parishad for infrastructure development for the Welfare of SC and ST has been made. Rs 98.90 lakhs for SC and Rs 56 lakh for ST has been given to Dakshin Dinajpur Zilla Parishad in 2000-2001. Besides, Rs 72 lakhs has been given for construction of 20 Primary Schools.

| Home | District Profile | Archaelogical Assets | Facilities/Services | Folk Culture | Tourist Places | Historical Perspective | Election Info | Forms |

| GP wise Details | Population | Land | Rainfall | Agriculture | River | Industry | Library | Health Centres | Sanitation | Telephone No |

Electrification | IT in the District | Zilla Parishad | Flood Management | Literacy Sector | Education | Departments | Sitemap | Feedback