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At the ministerial level, the Department of Social Welfare was constituted immediately on reorganisation of states, i.e., from 1st November, 1956. It, however, took shape at the Directorate level since 15th September, 1957 [ Vide Government Resolution, Labour and Social Welfare Department, No. BCE. 2857-D, dated 23rd September, 1937.]. The backward class welfare work done previously by the Backward Class department is now done by the Backward Class Wing of the Social Welfare department. The other wing of the Social Welfare department is. the Correctional Wing. The designation of the Director of Backward Class Welfare was changed to the Director of Social Welfare who is the head of the Social Welfare department of the State. The post of the Chief Inspector of Certified School and Institutions is redesignated as the Deputy Director of Social Welfare (Correctional Wing) and this officer assists the Director of Social Welfare in matters relating to the Correctional Wing. Two additional posts of Deputy Directors have been created. They have to look alter the work relating to education and welfare of physically handicapped and the work relating to planning, research and statistics pertaining to both backward class welfare and correctional administration. The Backward Class Wing of the Social Welfare department aims at ameliorating the conditions of backward classes so that they could reach the standard of other privileged sections of the society.

There are divisional officers for each revenue division of the State. At the district level, the department has district officers termed as Social Welfare Officers. They execute the schemes undertaken by the Social Welfare department and co-ordinate the work of backward class welfare in the district in respect of backward class welfare schemes implemented by the various departments of the State.

Backward Classes.

The classification of backward classes is made into three broad categories, viz., (1) the scheduled castes or harijans, (2) the scheduled tribes or adivasis and (3) the other backward classes, who are neither scheduled castes nor scheduled tribes but socially, economically and educationally as backward as the other two categories. The communities coming under the first two categories are notified by the Government of India under the orders of the President, for each of the States in the Indian Union. However, the classification as backward based on communities has been abolished and now the classification is based on economic conditions (income). This new class of other backward classes is given the concession of free education at all stages of education.

A number of other privileges have also been granted to backward classes and special grants are paid every year by the Government of India, under Article 275 (i) of the Constitution of India for ameliorating the condition of backward classes. Besides normal concessions made available to backward classes from time to time, special schemes have been framed for backward classes by the State Government under the Five-Year Plans which are being implemented vigorously.

Measures of Uplift.

The disabilities of backward classes are threefold—educational, economic and social. The Government have, therefore, launched a three pronged drive with the object of eliminating these disabilities within the shortest possible time.

The educational disability is. tackled by instituting a large number of scholarships, general concession of free studentships, payment of examination fees, provision for hostel facilities for students studying at all stages of education—primary, secondary and collegiate, etc. Special ashram schools are also opened with a view to spreading education amongst the backward classes.

Economic disability is attempted to be removed by the economic rehabilitation of the backward classes. This is mainly effected by (i) grant of cultivable waste lands and other facilities such as undertaking development of land, bunding, supply of plough, bullocks, implements, seeds, etc., for rehabilitating backward classes in agriculture, (ii) establishing training centres for imparting training in hereditary crafts and providing financial help for their rehabilitation in various cottage industries; (iii) imbibing the idea of co-operative movement in their day-to-day life, providing them all facilities provided by the State under special additional concessions and safeguards for backward classes; (iv) introducing special measures for housing of backward classes and (v) by reserving certain percentage of vacancies for backward classes in service under State Government, local bodies and semi-Government organisations.

The social drawback is attempted to be removed by undertaking social welfare activities. This is. designed to remove the stigma of untouchability in respect of scheduled castes, assimilation of scheduled tribes in the general population without destroying their hereditary traits and rehabilitation of ex-criminal tribes and nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes from among the category of other backward classes. Legislation as well as propaganda through the voluntary agencies are the means used to achieve this object. Mention may be made here of the Untouchability Offences Act, 1955, passed by the Government of India to stop the observance of untouchability.

With the liberal assistance of the Central Government under Article 275 (i) of the Constitution of India (amounting to 50 per cent of the expenditure on the schemes other than education and 75 per cent on educational schemes), various measures are undertaken by the State Government for the uplift of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, vimukta jatis and other backward classes under the Five-Year Plans. These measures are framed after taking into consideration the felt needs of these sections of backward classes and with a view to achieving their economic uplift and settlement and removal of their social disabilities. Besides this, the Government of India has also sponsored on cent per cent basis a special programme estimated to cost Rs, 3.53 crores for the welfare of backward classes in the Maharashtra State which includes the opening of 18 multipurpose projects in scheduled areas of the State, along with other measures for the welfare of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and vimukta jatis.

In the implementation of these backward class welfare measures, advice and co-operation is also sought from eminent social workers and voluntary organisations through the State Board for Harijan Welfare and the State Tribes Advisory Council. All these, social, economic and educational measures taken by the Government are sure to go a long way in eradicating untouchability with the educational and economic uplift of the backward classes.

Administrative Set-up.

The Social Welfare Office came into existence in the district from 1955. Number o� schemes are being implemented by this office for the welfare of scheduled castes, vimukta jatis and nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes from the year 1959-60. The number of persons belonging to scheduled tribes in the district is 550. Out of the total population of 12,30,716 harijans numbered 101,834. From May 1, 1962, this department was amalgamated with the Zilla Parishad with all its staff, under the direct control of the Chief Executive Officer. According to the Zilla Parishad Act. the Social Welfare department is directly under the control' of the Chief Executive Officer, President of Zilla Parishad and Standing Committee. The Chief Executive Officer has delegated almost all his powers to the Social Welfare Officer relating to the social welfare section to implement the schemes. The Standing Committee has also appointed a sub-committee of Zilla Parishad consisting of the President of the Zilla Parishad, all Harijan members of the Zilla Parishad, two non-backward class member-; of the Standing Committee and the Social Welfare Officer. who also acts as the Secretary, for selecting the applications of the beneficiaries.

The Block Development Officers of Panchayat Samitis receive the applications from backward classes from their talukas. The Block Development Officers, Extension Officers of the blocks and the Social Welfare Officer carefully watch the follow-up programme regarding the proper utilisation of help given to the backward classes.

To give wide publicity to the schemes in the rural areas, the publicity van with cinema equipment is attached to this section. One Social Welfare Inspector and other ministerial staff help the Social Welfare Officer in the implementation of the schemes. Propaganda of the schemes in each taluka is undertaken jointly by the official and non-official agencies.

Progress of Schemes.

During the First Five-Year Plan, the tuition fees and scholar- ships etc. to the backward classes were given directly by the Director of School Welfare. During the Second Five-Year Plan period (1956-57 to 1960-61), i.e., up to the year 1957-58, the educational schemes were implemented by the Education department. From the year 1958-59, these educational schemes are being implemented by the Social Welfare department.

All the backward class students were given tuition fee concessions at all stages of education regardless of age and income. From the year 1962-63, the concessions to post-S.S.C. courses are paid by the Director of Social Welfare directly. From the year 1962-63, the tuition fees to the courses, are paid by the Zilla Parishad. The concession to the backward classes on caste basis were stopped from 1959-60 onwards.

The examination fees, for all recognised examinations were paid to the students of backward classes at all stages of education during the Second Five-Year Plan. From 1962-63, the fees of college students are paid directly by the Director of Social Welfare.

Backward class students were paid lump-sum scholarships on merit-cum-income basis. Scholarships to collegiate students are paid by the Director of Social Welfare. The scholarships are paid to the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes and vimukta jatis on the following unified rates from 1961-62:—

(1) Standard 1st and IInd—Rs, 3 per annum.

(2) Standard IIIrd and IVth—Rs, 6 per annum.

(3) Standard Vth to VIIth—Rs. 30 per annum.

(4) Standard VIIIth to XIth (I)—Rs. 20 per month for the first two backward class students who secure a minimum of 50 per cent of marks in the previous annual examination and rank within the first ten students in each class. Every student who secures 50 per cent or more marks in the previous annual examination is paid Rs. 10 per month while the students who secure less than 50 per cent are paid Rs. 5 per month subject to the availability of funds. Every student opting for professional courses gets Rs. 25 per month while the student in technical high school or higher technical school is paid Rs. 90 per annum.

The concessions in tuition fees were paid to the students the income of whose parents was less than Rs. 900 per annum from the year 1959-60 (IInd Plan period). This limit of income was raised from Rs. 900 to Rs. 1,200 per annum from the year 1960-61. From 1961-62, this scheme has been transferred to the Education department. During these two years, an amount of Rs. 12,23.888 was spent on the scheme from which 19,274 students benefited.

Expenditure.

The expenditure over educational concessions including economically backward class scheme was Rs. 17,05,916 and 32,938 students benefited as a result during the Second Five-Year Plan. During the first two years of the Third Five-Year Plan (1961-62 and 1962-63), an expenditure of Rs. 2,40,684 had been incurred over these concessions and 5,799 students were benefited.

Hostels.

There are 38 backward class hostels with more than 1,200 inmates. Besides there are six cosmopolitan hostels in which backward class and non-backward class students are provided accommodation. The backward class students in cosmopolitan hostels are paid actual boarding and lodging charges. The department also subsidises the building rent of the hostels to the extent of 50 per cent.

Up to the end of the First Five-Year Plan, an amount of Rs. 5,80,213 was spent over 3,780 students. The expenditure over hostel facilities during the IInd Plan period was Rs. 4,89,815 and 3,149 students were benefited from it. During the first two years of the Third Five-Year Plan, a sum of Rs. 5,19,499 was spent and 2,478 students were benefited by the hostel facilities. The grant-in-aid to hostel buildings was paid as under:—

First Plan—Rs. 25,000 (One hostel).

Second Plan—Rs. 58,137 (Five hostels).

Third Plan—Rs. 61,814 (Four hostels).

Sanskar Kendras.

At the beginning of the Second Five-Year Plan, one Sanskar Kendra was recognised. One more was recognised during the year 1959-60. Two more Sanskar Kendras were recognised in the Third Five-Year Plan. The expenditure incurred over these Kendras amounted to Rs. 10,960 during IInd Plan and Rs. 9,332 in the IIIrd Plan. Harijan and caste Hindu women took benefit of this scheme. Sanskar Kendras at present are located at Sawalaj and Ramanandnagar in Tasgaon taluka, at Kokrud in Shirala taluka and at Dhavadwadi in Jath taluka.

Balwadi.

One Balwadi was recognised during the IInd Plan period in the year 1956-57. The expenditure incurred on this Bahwadi during the Second and the Third Plan period (only two years) amounted to Rs. 7,193 and Rs. 3,396, respectively. Nearly 30 to 40 Harijan and caste Hindu students are taking advantage of this scheme. The Balwadi at Charan was shifted to Kokrud from the year 1962-63.

Economic Uplift of Backward Classes.

Scheduled Castes.

There were no schemes for the economic uplift of backward classes in the First Five-Year Plan. However, these schemes were included from the year 1959-60 (IInd Plan period). Schemes regarding grant of loan-ami-subsidy for cottage indus- tries; grant of loan-cum-subsidy for purchase of milch cattle; repairs to houses of scheduled castes in rural areas; repairs to wells in or near scheduled caste localities and drinking water wells under Centrally Sponsored Programme etc. were implemented and a sum of Rs. 42,550 was spent over these schemes. The benefit of these schemes was taken by 184 persons. Nineteen wells were constructed and seven repaired.

During the first two years of the Third Five-Year Plan an expenditure of Rs. 55,480 was incurred and 346 persons benefited. Twenty wells were constructed and seventeen were repaired.

vimukta Jatis.

During the IInd Plan, schemes were implemented by the Agri- culture Department through the Collector till 1958-59. From the year 1959-60, the schemes as indicated below are being implemented by the Social Welfare Department such as supply of milch cattle, supply of seeds, propagation of improved agricultural implements, supply of plough bullocks, grant of loan-cum-subsidy for cottage industries and professions, and supply of clothes or spinning wheels to the Vimukta Jati students, in primary schools, etc., and an amount of Rs. 6,587 as subsidy and Rs. 900 as loan were spent. In all, 547 beneficiaries were given this help. During the first two years of the IIIrd Plan period, all the above schemes except propagation of improved agricultural implements were implemented. Moreover, one sevak was also appointed for the uplift of the Vimukta Jatis from the year 1961-62. The expenditure incurred over these schemes was Rs. 8,760. 258 persons took benefit of the same.

Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes.

No scheme was implemented for these communities during the First Plan. During the Second Plan, special measures for the economic uplift of nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes were implemented. The expenditure incurred over these schemes during the IInd Plan was Rs. 4,226. One well was also constructed for this community at Malegaon in Miraj taluka. During the Third Plan, special measures for economic uplift of nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes were implemented and Rs. 3,000 were spent on the same with 26 persons taking benefit.

Other Backward classes.

No scheme was implemented for the other backward classes during the First and the Second Five-Year Plans. However, the following schemes for the welfare ot Nav-Buddhas, who are included in other backward classes., were implemented during the first two years of Third Five-Year Plan.

(1) propagation of improved agricultural implements, (2) grant of loan-cum-subsidy for cottage industries and professions, (3) grant of loan-cum-subsidy for purchase of milch cattle, and (4) digging of drinking water wells.

The expenditure over these schemes during the first two years of the Third Five-Year Plan was Rs. 5,535 as subsidy and Rs. 4,425 as loan. The number of persons benefited was 55.

Removal of Untouchability.

The scheme incorporating an award of prizes to villages which show outstanding work in the removal of untouchability was implemented during the First Plan and prizes of the value Rs. 4,500 were awarded to six villages for the remarkable work in the field of removal of untouchability.

During the Second Five-Year Plan, schemes like social melas and entertainment programmes, award of prizes to villages, intensification of untouchability drive, provision of building sites for harijans in rural areas, subsidy to caste Hindu landlords for letting their premises on hire to harijans in rural areas, and publicity to scheduled caste welfare measures etc. were implemented. The expenditure incurred over these schemes amounted to Rs. 15,542, 61 persons taking benefit of the same. Gatherings, melas and Ashprishyata Nivaran Din and saptah were also celebrated. A committee at taluka level with mamlatdar as its President was formed. Social Welfare sub-committee of the District Development Board was formed for this purpose and monthly meetings were held to discuss the problems of harijans.

During the Third Five-Year Plan, all the above schemes were continued. Moreover colonisation of scheduled castes and kirtan programmes were added at a total expenditure of Rs. 32,504 with 116 beneficiaries. Two colonies of 25 houses, one at Tung (Miraj) and other at Ghogaon (Tasgaon) were completed during the year 1961-62 and Rs. 18,800 were spent over this scheme for 25 persons.

Centrally Sponsored Programme.

No scheme was implemented under this head during the First Plan. From the Second Five-Year Plan, two schemes pertaining to the construction of houses for scheduled castes and drinking-water wells were implemented in this district. The scheme for the construction of houses for scheduled castes was implemented through the Collector from the year 1958-59. An amount of Rs. 750 was paid for each house. During the Second Plan, 57 persons took the benefit of the scheme at a total cost of Rs. 41,536.

The scheme of construction of wells for harijans was started during the Second Plan. The work was entrusted to the then District Local Board and Rs. 24,125 were paid to the Board for construction. The District Local Board constructed 62 wells for the harijans incurring the additional expenditure from its own resources.

The schemes regarding employment, legal aid to backward classes, grant-in-aid to Kustigirs, waste land distribution, cooperative housing and co-operative agriculture were also implemented.

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