(1) As soon as may be, after the commencement of this Act, the Government shall, by notification, constitute a State Committee under the Minister of Social Welfare, to be known as the State Committee for implementation and monitoring of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Sub-Plan, to exercise the powers conferred and to perform the functions assigned to it under the Act and the rules made there under.
(2) The State committee shall meet at least twice in a year.
Functions of the State Committee
17. The State Committee shall --
(a) advise the State Government on all the policy matters relating to Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan Tribal Sub-Plan.
(b) suggest measures for proper planning and implementation of the scheme by the departments;
(c) with the assistance of the Nodal Department evaluate and appraise Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan/Tribal Sub-Plan proposed by the departments for ensuring conformity to the provisions of this Act;
(d) approve the Annual Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan/Tribal Sub-Plan Plan proposals of the Departments;
(e) review the implementation and monitoring of the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan/Tribal Sub-Plan programme;
(f) identify impediments and suggest measures for overcoming the impediments;
(g) perform such other functions as may be prescribed.
Note-- The directions of the State committee shall be binding on the Departments.
- 21 - Nodal Department
18. The Social Welfare Department will act as Nodal Department for assisting the state committee to perform its functions and exercise its powers.
Function of Nodal Department
19. The Nodal department shall be following functions; namely :--
(a) Nodal Department shall co-ordinate with the departments for preparation of State level and district level Scheduled Castes Sub- Plan/Tribal Sub-Plan;
(b) Prepare State Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan/Tribal Sub-Plan for placing before the State committee for consideration and approval;
(c) Recommend reallocation of Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan/Tribal Sub-Plan funds from a department to other department;
(d) Set up a web portal for tracking the progress of the implementation, expenditure, output and outcome indicators as may be prescribed of Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan/Tribal Sub- Plan.
Establishment of Separate Administrator and Technical unit
20. The Government shall appropriately strengthen the Nodal Department of Social Welfare with an Administrator and Technical Unit to perform the functions and discharge the duties assigned to it and to assist the state committee.
Department level Sub-Plan Support Unit
21. The departments as identified by the State Committee may establish a Sub-Plan Support Unit, as may be prescribed to manage the respective Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan.
Implementation of Scheduled Castes Sub- Plan/Tribal Sub- Plan schemes in the districts