Chapter-13. Programmes Undertaken for the Welfare of SCs/STs/OBCs and Women

Transcription

1 Chapter-13 Programmes Undertaken for the Welfare of SCs/STs/OBCs and Women Safeguards for Public Employment to the persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are instrumental in ensuring inclusive growth of the nation, free from discrimination and sufferings. Implementing reservation orders issued by the Government thus turns out to be a determining factor in realizing the concept of inclusive growth. The provision of a sub-quota of 4.5% for minorities, as defined under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, from within the 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Government employment, is yet another step towards the social and economical upliftment of the marginalised sections of the society. As per the guidelines of the DOP&T, all attached and sub-ordinate offices, autonomous bodies, PSUs and Commodity Boards have been instructed to complete filling up of the backlog vacancies of SC/ ST/ OBC in direct recruitment and of SC/ ST in promotion (as existing on ), by the under the Special Recruitment Drive for filling up the backlog reserved vacancies of SC/ ST/ OBC categories. Further, in accordance with the policy of the Government of India, an SC/ST Cell is functioning in Department of Commerce to ensure due compliance with the orders on reservation for SCs and STs issued from time to time. A Liaison Officer of the level of Director has also been nominated in the Department to ensure prompt disposal of the grievances of the employees of these categories and to ensure due compliance by the associated organizations of the Department with the reservation orders and other benefits admissible to these categories. The Liaison Officer inspects and rectifies, wherever necessary, the rosters maintained by these organizations and also looks into related aspects for ensuring representation to SCs/STs/OBCs. A statement showing the total number of Government employees and the number of SCs/ STs/ OBCs as on in Department of Commerce (proper) and its attached and sub-ordinate offices and PSUs, autonomous bodies etc under its administrative control, is shown at Annexure 13.1 Autonomous Bodies/Commodity Boards and PSUs under the Department have certain specific schemes to improve the socio-economic conditions of the SCs/STs in the non-traditional areas, supplementing the efforts of the Government. The welfare activities undertaken by different organizations attached to this Department are given below. Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics The reservation orders issued by Government are duly implemented. A Director level Officer has been appointed as Liaison Officer to look after the interests of SCs, STs and OBCs. Coffee Board The benefits/ financial incentives under various schemes are extended to coffee growers, including members of SCs and STs, of the traditional area. Most of the benefits of the coffee development programmes operated in Non-traditional area (Andhra Pradesh and Odisha) and North Eastern Region are mainly aimed at welfare of Scheduled Tribes. Keeping in view of the welfare of the SCs/ STs/ OBCs and Persons with Disabilities, training 247

2 Annual Report programme is being conducted by the Board, wherever necessary. Welfare measures for women: The subsidy and other financial support extended by the Coffee Board cover women beneficiaries. Spices Board Spices Board is strictly implementing the post-based reservation roster and Government s instructions related to reservation are followed properly. Prescribed number of SC/ST members is included in the Selection Committee. An SC/ST Cell headed by a Liaison Officer has been constituted in the Board to look after the grievances of SC/ST categories. Welfare measures for women: At present, there are 125 women employees in the Spices Board in Group A, B, and C categories. A woman officer of the Board has been nominated as Women Welfare Officer to ameliorate the difficulties/ problems, if any, of the women employees and to suggest measures to the higher authorities. A 12- day Spoken English Class was conducted during Sept-Oct 2011 for the women employees of the Board. Another 15- Day course on Yoga has been proposed for women employees during Feb-April 2012 to teach them stress management and maintaining a healthy life. Rubber Board, Kottayam During the year , various schemes were undertaken by Rubber Board for the welfare of 248 SC/ ST/ OBC/ PH / Women category of growers. An amount of ` 8.95 lakh was disbursed to 60 SC/ ST tappers employed in the unorganized sector under the Housing and Sanitary Assistance Scheme. Under Rubber Plantation Development Scheme, cash assistance of ` 1.23 lakh was disbursed to 80 beneficiaries (of traditional areas) and a total amount of ` 6.98 crore was disbursed to beneficiaries in non-traditional area and North- Eastern region. ` 3.68 crore was disbursed to 262 persons of the tribal communities of traditional, non-traditional and NE Region under the Tribal Development Project, with the active participation of State Governments concerned. ` lakh was disbursed to beneficiaries as reimbursement of cost for high yielding planting material. Fee concession was given to 7 trainees of rubber cultivation, tapping, processing and manufacturing beneficiaries received assistance of a total of ` lakh for boundary protection fencing material for rubber plantation. Tea Board, Kolkata Tea Board follows a sincere approach towards the welfare of SCs/STs/OBCs and Women. Tea Board s project for assisting Scheduled Castes Small Tea Growers with a primary allocation of ` 10 crore for the under the Plantation Development Scheme and Quality Up-gradation & Product Diversification Scheme has been met with encouraging response from the field. Table 13.1 reflects recruitment particulars of Tea Board. Table 13.1: Recruitment in various organizations during 2011 Organisation Total SC ST OBC Minority Tea Board, No. of promotions made in the Kolkata Board No. of appointments made in the Board (includes 1 women member) IIFT No. of appointments in faculty side No. of appointments in Secretarial Posts 1 (Jr. Stenographer) - 1 (PA)+ 2 (Jr. Stenographer) = 3 -

3 CHAPTER-13 Programmes Undertaken for the Welfare of SCs/STs/OBCs and Women Project and Equipment Corporation of India (PEC) Limited Government directives / instructions regarding SCs/ STs/ OBCs are duly complied by the organization. Relaxation of one year in each stage of promotion in the qualifying period for the employees of SC and ST categories of the Staff Cadre is given under the Time Scale Promotion Scheme. Welfare measures for women: Out of 201 employees of PEC, there are 41 females as on In compliance with the directives of the Hon ble Supreme Court, a Complaints Committee has been functioning since , for prevention and redressal of sexual harassment at the workplace. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi and Kolkata Centres IIFT has emerged as a major centre of international business education by aligning its teaching, research and training capabilities with its core vision over the years and by constantly striving to create academic excellence. It has been consistently ranked amongst the top-10 Business Schools in India. Suitable candidates of reserved categories and women candidates were regularly nominated in various activities of the Institute during in the areas of training, research and seminars/ workshops. IIFT follows Government instructions related to reservation; advertisements were released for appointment in Group A and C under the Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/ OBC. Selection Committees for direct recruitment as well as for departmental promotions have adequate representatives of SC/ST and OBC categories. Also, relaxation of 5% marks in written tests for direct recruitment/ promotion by LDT is allowed to candidates belonging to reserved categories. Two faculty members each belonging to PH (OL) and OBC category were nominated to attend a four-week refresher course and to present papers. Recruitment particulars of IIFT are reflected in Table Welfare measures for women: A committee of senior faculty members and officers under the Chairmanship of Dr. (Mrs.) S. Bhatia, for prevention and redressal of sexual harassment at workplace is functioning in IIFT. Women faculty is regularly nominated to attend seminars/ workshops/ courses within India and outside India. Appointments made in IIFT are shown in Table13.2. Table : 13.2 Women Employees Recruited In Various Organisations Name of organisation Appointments made in No. of women candidates appointed during IIFT Faculty Side 1 IIFT Junior Stenographer 4 IIFT Secretarial Side 1(OBC)+ 2(ST)+2 =5 Tea Board - 1 (ST) Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) The Institute reserves seats for admission to Post Graduate Diploma in Packaging for deserving SC/ ST candidates. There is also a scheme of Scholarship for candidates whose performances are found excellent during the PG Diploma in Package Course. Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) ITPO follows Government of India s guidelines issued from time to time for the welfare of SC/ ST/ OBC categories. 249

4 Annual Report Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) APEDA has no unresolved grievances from any SC/ST/OBC or women employees. A committee, including women officers and headed by an officer of the rank of Dy. General Manager, exists in APEDA for considering complaints against sexual harassment against women at work place. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) Reservation rules applicable in respect of SC/ ST/OBC categories are strictly being followed by MPEDA. For looking after the welfare of these categories, a Liaison Officer has been appointed. Representations given by the said categories through the Liaison Officer are duly considered. MPEDA organized 7 extension programmes (during to ) for the benefit of the aqua farmers on various aspects related to farming such as adoption of better management practices, awareness on misuse of antibiotics in farming operations and on diversification etc. exclusively organized for the benefit of the farmers belonging to SC/ST/OBC communities so as to enable them to start their own farms or otherwise help them to secure some employment in the aquaculture farms. 65 participants benefitted from these programmes. They were also paid daily honorarium for the period of training besides reimbursement of travel expenditure. Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC) Limited MMTC has adequate representation of reserved categories. An SC/ST Cell is in existence in the company. A Deputy General Manager has been appointed in the Corporate Office and Liaison Officers have been appointed in each of the Regional Offices to ensure compliance of the Orders and instructions of the Government pertaining to reservation and other concessions as admissible to the reserved categories. Age relaxation of 5 years is provided to SC/ST candidates in direct recruitment. In departmental promotions from staff cadre to officer cadre, 5% relaxation in qualifying marks in written test is provided to SC/ST candidates. Also the qualifying period for promotion under seniority-cum-fitness is relaxed by one year and relaxation in qualifying marks under seniority-cum-merit is provided for promotions within staff cadre. SC/ST representatives are nominated in all Selection Committees for direct recruitment and Departmental Promotion Committees for promotions. In the Functional and Behavioral trainings conducted both in-house and by renowned agencies, employees of reserved categories are nominated to upgrade their business and soft skills. There is a provision for reservation in the allotment of residential accommodation to SC/ ST employees. Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) Limited Reservation in direct recruitment for SCs, STs and OBCs and for SCs and STs in promotion is provided in all Groups as directed by the Government of India. Welfare measures for women: The Corporation has 180 women employees in Groups A, B, C and D. The posts of Executive Director, General Manager, three Deputy General Managers and six Assistant General Managers are occupied by women employees. All women employees are members of the Women in Public Sector (WIPS). There is a complaints committee for prevention and redressal of complaints pertaining to sexual harassment of women employees at work place. The committee, headed by a woman officer of the rank of Assistant General Manager, gives due consideration to women s problems and the same are taken into account at the time of annual transfers. Couples working in the Corporation are posted at the same 250

5 CHAPTER-13 Programmes Undertaken for the Welfare of SCs/STs/OBCs and Women place, as far as possible. State Trading Corporation of India Limited (STC) STC provides the requisite reservations as per Government Directives for employment in SC/ ST/OBC categories. Relaxation in the benchmark criteria for promotion of SC/ ST employees is provided. Relaxation of 5% in typing speed in typing test for promotion of Grade-I to Junior Assistant in Staff Cadre is provided to employees of reserved category. Special trainings have been provided to SC/ST/OBC employees from time to time. During allotment of residential apartments maintained by the Corporation at, SC/ST/OBC and PWD employees are given preference. Welfare measures for women: Women managers have been nominated for training programmes for development of women leaders. A Complaints Committee on Sexual Harassment aims to prevent sexual harassment of women employees at work place and also redresses related complaints. Review of the various programmes of Department of Commerce to ensure that various aspects of women welfare development and empowerment are promoted through the programmes and schemes of the Department. Preparation of Action Plan pertaining to the Department of Commerce for the overall development of women in line with the national Policy for empowerment of women. Other incidental matters pertaining to the subject. During the year , no complaint of sexual harassment at workplace was received in the Women Cell. Welfare of Women An independent Women Cell has been set up in the Department of Commerce with the following broad functions: Prevention and redressal of sexual harassment at workplace, constitution of Complaints Committee in the Department of Commerce, its attached and subordinate Offices, PSUs, Autonomous bodies etc. monitoring their performance and providing necessary help and guidance. Coordination with the Department of Women & Child Development, National Commission for Women and other concerned agencies in respect of the matters connected with welfare and economic empowerment of women and other related issues. 251

6 Annual Report Annexure-13.1 Statement showing total number of employees and employees of SC, ST and OBC categories as on 31st December 2011 in Department of Commerce, its Attached/ Sub-ordinate Offices and Public Sector Undertakings, Autonomous Bodies etc. under its administrative control Organisation Group Total no. of Emp. (as on 31 st December, 2011) No. of SC Emp. % of SC Emp.w.r.t (3) No. of ST Emp. % of ST Emp. w.r.t (3) No. of OBC Emp. % of OBC Emp.w.r.t (3) Total % of SC, ST and OBC Emp.w.r.t (3) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) D/o Commerce, Office of DGFT, DGCI&S, Kolkata CSEZ, Cochin MEPZ SEZ, Chennai KASEZ, Kandla VSEZ, Vishakhapatnam FALTA SEZ, Kolkata!! Group A Group B Group C Group D (erstwhile) Group A Group B Group C Group D Group A Nil Group B Nil Group C Group A Nil Group B Group C Group A 3 Nil 0 Nil Group B Group C Nil Group D After implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission, all Group D posts have been upgraded to Group C posts. Group A Nil 0 Nil Group B 6 Nil Nil Group C Group D Group A 2 Nil 0 Nil 0 Nil 0 - Group B Nil Group C Group A 2 Nil 0 Nil 0 Nil 0 0 Group B Nil Group C Nil

7 CHAPTER-13 Programmes Undertaken for the Welfare of SCs/STs/OBCs and Women SEEPZ SEZ, Mumbai ## Indore SEZ, Indore NOIDA SEZ, NOIDA Pay & Accounts Office (Commerce), Coffee Board, Bangalore Spices Board, Cochin Rubber Board, Kottayam Tobacco Board, Guntur Tea Board, Kolkata Group A Group B Group C Group D Group A 2 Nil 0 Nil 0 Nil 0 0 Group B Group C Nil Group D Nil Group A 4 Nil 0 Nil 0 Nil 0 0 Group B Nil Group C Group D Group A Nil 0 Nil Group B Nil Group C Group D Nil Total Commodity Boards under Department of Commerce Group A Group B Group C Group A Group B Group C Group A Group B Group C Group A Group B Group C Group D Group A Group B Group C Group D Nil 0 Nil Total

8 Annual Report Indian Institute of Packaging, Mumbai MPEDA, Cochin ** APEDA, IIFT, & Kolkata STC Ltd., MMTC Ltd., ITPO, PEC Ltd., ECGC of India Ltd., Mumbai STCL Ltd., Bangalore Autonomous Bodies under the Department of Commerce Group A Nil Group B 2 Nil 0 Nil 0 Nil 0 0 Group C Group A Group B Group C Group D Group A Nil Group B Group C Group D Nil Group A Nil Group B Group C Nil Group D Group A Group B Group C Group D No post exists in Group D Group A Group B Nil Group C Group D Group A Group B Nil Group C Group D Group A Group B Nil Group C Group A Group B Group C Group D Nil 0 Nil Group A 12 Nil 0 Nil 0 Nil 0 0 Group B 7 Nil 0 Nil 0 Nil 0 0 Group C Group D Nil

9 CHAPTER-13 Programmes Undertaken for the Welfare of SCs/STs/OBCs and Women EIC of India, Note: Group A Group B Nil Group C Group D Total GRAND TOTAL MPEDA ** : Figures indicated above are inclusive of SC/ ST/ OBC candidates recruited on their own merit. SEEPZ SEZ, Mumbai ##: The details pertaining to the Customs Officers in SEEPZ SEZ and of Group A employees are not included in above information as they are on deputation basis. FALTA SEZ, Kolkata!! : The figures indicated above also include Group B Non- Gazetted employees. 255