The Hindu : National : Panel on SCs, STs wants cell in PMO

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Thursday, Dec 22, 2005

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Panel on SCs, STs wants cell in PMO

Special Correspondent

Says schemes did not yield desired result

NEW DELHI: The Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has reiterated its recommendation of setting up a cell in the Prime Minister's Office to monitor the progress of the schemes for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

The committee, in a report presented in Parliament on Wednesday, pointed out that the programmes and schemes meant for development of the SCs/STs had not yielded the desired results. It sought information on the steps taken by the Ministries concerned for proper utilisation of funds for the schemes.

The report says that the committee members were not convinced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's reply that a monitoring cell at the Prime Minister's Office may not be so urgent, as the Planning Commission and the Ministry reviewed the progress of the schemes on a monthly and quarterly basis.

The committee said the problems faced in implementation of the projects should be brought to the notice of the State Governments that lagged behind.

The report also took serious note of the Government's "slackness" in drafting a national policy for tribals.

It directed that a time-bound action be taken on the matter.

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