CHAPTER XVII
OTHER
SOCIAL SERVICES
Social services has now undertook as a new
phase of public activities, which have been assuming greater importance day by
day to fulfil the aims and objectives of a Welfare State. Before Independence,
the Government whether British or Princely States paid little attention to
social welfare and were mainly concerned with the maintenance of law and order,
preservation of peace and guarding the life and property of the people. But
after
Generally each and every function of the legislation of the government is aimed at the welfare of the society. Social services are the services that reach the people, particularly the poor and the needy, instantly, such as, measures for labour welfare, women welfare and schemes for the advancement of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, etc.
(a)
Labour Welfare
.
Labour welfare, in a wider term,
means everything that contributes to the improvement of the health, safety,
general well-being and productive efficiency of the workers. It further
includes such services, facilities and amenities as may be provided in or
outside the vicinity of undertaking to enable the persons employed to perform
their work in healthy and congenial surroundings. It also aims at providing
them with amenities conducive to good health and sound morals. Welfare
activities also include such activities as may be carried out for improving the
health, safety, general, well being and the industrial efficiency of the
workers beyond the minimum standards laid down by the Factories Act and other
labour legislations. Thus labour welfare also include housing, medical and
education facilities, nutrition, facilities for rest and recreation,
cooperative societies, day nurseries and crèches, provision of healthy
accommodation, holidays with pay, social insurance measures, etc. undertaken
voluntarily by the employers.
The State Government set up the Punjab Industrial Safety Council in May 1969, on the pattern of the National Safety Council. It is a voluntary organisation without any political affiliation. Factory owners and associations of workers, government departments, and all other interested in the safety measures in industry can become members of this council. Its functions are: to advise, organize, encourage and promote methods and procedures for assuring safety and health of the industrial workers.
291
Labour Legislation.- Labour legislation is that body of legal enactments and judicial principles which deals with employment, wages, working conditions, industrial relations, social security and labour welfare of industrial workers. It is that part of state action by which the state intervenes in the conduct of industry and imposes statutory obligations for the most part on the employers and to a subsidiary degree on the workmen. To tackle the labour problems, many labour Acts were passed by the Central and State Governments. Thus labour legislation is necessary to tackle the social and economic problems, as civil laws in general do not deal adequately with labour problems. The labour laws are motivated by humanitarian approach, as propounded by the International Labour Organization and are based mostly on principles of social justice. Under the Constitution of India, labour, is a concurrent subject and as such both Central and State Legislatures are empowered to make laws. Accordingly, the State Government has also enacted certain labour legislations to suit the local needs.
The important labour
laws (Central and State) in force in the Mansa district are: the Workmen’s Compensation
Act, 1923; the Trade Unions Act, 1926; the Payment of Wages Act, 1936; the
Employment of Children Act, 1938; the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders)
Act, 1946; the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947;the Minimum Wages Act 1948; the
Factories Act, 1948; the Collection of Statistics Act, 1953; the Working
Journalists (Conditions of Services and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1955;
the Industrial Housing Act, 1956; the Working Journalists (Fixation of Rates of
Wages) Act, 1958; the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958; the
Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961; the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961; the Payment
of Bonus Act,1965; the Punjab Industrial Establishments (National and Festival
Holidays, Casual and Sick Leave ) Act, 1965; the Contract Labour (Regulation
and Abolition ) Act, 1970; the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972; the Payment of
Bonus Act, 1972; and the Fair Wages Clause and East Punjab Public Works
Department Contractors Labour Regulations; the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976;
the Sales Promotion Employees (Condition of Services) Act, 1976; the Bonded
Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976; the Inter-State Migrant Workmen
(Regulation of Employment and Condition of Services) Act, 1979; The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act,
1986; the Labour Laws (Exemption from
Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments ) Act,
1988 and the Building and Other Construction Workers( Regulation of Employment
and Condition of Services) Act, 1996.
The above mentioned
labour enactments contain various welfare measures for the labour and inter
alia provided for regulation of conditions and hours of work, rest intervals,
leave with wages national and festival holidays, causal and sick leave,
overtime payment, safety from accidents, health and sanitation, prohibition of
employment of children below certain age and of women at night, regular payment
of wages, payment of minimum wages, payment of gratuity, formation of trade
unions for the purpose of collective bargaining, payment of minimum bonus,
certification of standing orders by employers for clearly defining the service
conditions of workers, redressal of grievances and settlement of industrial
disputes.
Before
The area of Mansa district falls under the jurisdiction of Assistant Labour Commissioner, Bathinda, who is responsible for the implementation of various laws in unorganised sector, rural areas, construction works, brick-kilns and rice mills located outside the municipal limits with special emphasis for the implementation of Minimum Wages Act, 1948 in agricultural sector. There are two Labour Inspectors in the Mansa District i.e. Labour Inspector Grade-1 Mansa and Labour Inspector Grade-II Budhlada. They are working under the supervision of Assistant labour Commissioner, Bathinda. The Labour Inspector Grade-I, Mansa is concerned with the implementation of various labour laws in shops and commercial establishments functioning in Mansa Tahsil, while Labour Inspector Grade-II, Budhlada performs similar functions in commercial establishments and shops located in Budhlada Tahsil.
The salient features of the Central and State Labour Laws in force in the district are given below:
Central Legislation.-
The Factories Act, 1948 provides for health measures, safety from accidents,
provision for canteens, shelters and rest rooms, working hours, intervals for
rest, leave with wages, etc. The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 provides for
dealing with industrial disputes through conciliation machinery, works
committees, adjudication and arbitration. The Payment of Wages Act, 1936
regulates the timely payment of wages without any unauthorised deductions to
the workers employed in establishments covered under the Act. The inspectorate
staff is required to deal with complaints regarding non-payment of wages,
delayed payments and less payments. The Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923,
provides for the payment of compensation to the workers in case of injury
caused by an accident arising out of and in the course of employment. It also
provides for payment of compensation for certain occupational diseases. The
Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926, provides for registration of trade unions and
describes the rights, privileges, obligations and liabilities to the registered
trade unions. The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 requires
the employers (employing 100 or more persons) to make standing orders, defining
terms of employment on specified matters and get them certified by the
certifying officer. The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961 provides for the
welfare of motor transport workers and regulates the condition of their work.
It applies to every motor transport undertaking employing five or more workers.
The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, contains the provisions regarding the payment
of bonus to the employees by the employers from his share of profits. The Employment
of Children Act, 1938 prohibits the employment of young children below the age
of 15 years in certain risky and unhealthy occupations. The Employees’ State
Insurance Act, 1948 provides five type
of benefits viz. medical benefit, maternity benefit, dependents benefit and
disablement benefit. The Employee’s Provident Fund Act 1952 seeks to make a
provision for the future of industrial workers after he retires or is
retrenched or for his dependents in case of his early death. The Maternity
Benefit Act, 1961, provides for payment of cash benefit to women workers for
specified period, before and after childbirth and for other incidental matters.
The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 provides for a scheme for the payment of gratuity
to employees engaged in factories, mines, ports, oilfields, plantations,
railway companies, shops or other establishments and for matter connected
therewith or incidental thereto. The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 provides the
payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers and for prevention of
discrimination on the ground of sex against women in the matter of employment.
The Sales Promotion (Condition of Services) Act, 1976 regulates certain
conditions of service of sale promotion employees in certain establishments.
The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 prevents the forceful labour employment
and economic and physical exploitation
of weaker sections of the society. The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation
of employment and Condition of Service) Act, 1979 (came into force on
State Legislation.-
The Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishment Act,1958 regulates the conditions of work and terms of employment of
workers engaged in shops and commercial establishments and those industrial establishments which are not
covered under the Factories Act, 1948. It covers hours of work, holidays,
leave, wages, employment of children and their working hours, closing and
opening hours, health, safety, welfare and maternity benefits. The Punjab Labour Welfare Funds
Act, 1965 provides for the setting up of Labour Welfare Board and appointment
of a Welfare Commissioner. All unpaid accumulations of the workers have to be
paid to the Labour Welfare Board, which shall keep a separate account to be
utilised by it for defraying the cost of carrying out measures for promoting
the welfare of labourers and their dependents.
A Labour Welfare Board is already functioning in the State. The Labour
Commissioner,
In order to secure
proper benefit under the various labour laws, a full-fledged enforcement
machinery works under the Labour Commissioner,
Industrial Relations.-
The relations between the workers and employers are governed by the Industrial
Disputes Act, 1947. The object of this Act is to ensure harmonious industrial
relations between the workers and employers. The Assistant Labour Commissioner,
Bathinda is responsible for enforcing this act. The industrial relations
machinery set up under the act is of two types, one for the prevention of
disputes by providing works committees within the industrial units, and the
other for the industrial relations outside the industry comprising conciliation
officers, boards of conciliation, courts of enquiry, labour court, industrial
tribunals and national tribunals.
The relations between
the employers and employees remained peaceful during 1992-93 and 1995-96 to
1999-2000 as no strike took place in the district.. In spite of the efforts to
maintain healthy and peaceful atmosphere in the industrial concerns, strikes do
take place now and then. During 1993-94 and 1994-95 two strikes occurred in the
district. The number of strikes and lockouts, the number of workers involved and the number of man days lost,
in these strikes are given below:
|
Year |
Number of strikes and lockouts |
Number of workers involved in strikes |
Number of man days lost |
|
1993-94 |
1 |
546 |
53,508 |
|
1994-95 |
1 |
546 |
6,006 |
(Source: Labour Commissioner,
Trade Union.- Trade unions are voluntary associations of employees formed to promote
and protect their interests through collective action and for securing them a
better and healthier status in industry
as well as in society. These are continued associations of wage earners for the
purpose of maintaining and improving the conditions of their working. The trade
unions are indispensable because the workers require their help in time of
sickness or death and protection against the suffering and when they are out of
job, or when they are too old to work. Further, the trade union provides an
appropriate machinery for settling the strained relations between the employers
and employees. Trade unions developed on proper lines lessen class conflicts
and are beneficial to the employers, the employees, the State and the public in
general.
Since
The Factories Act, 1948.- The Factories Act, 1948 was enacted to provide congenial atmosphere, healthy and clean surroundings to the workers during the working hours and for the improvement of industrial efficiency. The Act was enforced in the State in April 1949. It was amended in 1954 to remove certain practical difficulties in calculation of leave with wages and to bring certain essential provisions relating to employment of women and young persons in factories during night. The Act covers all industrial establishments employing 10 or more workers where power is used or 20 or more workers, where power is not in use. Under the Act, the factory owner is required to send a written notice containing full details regarding the factory to the Chief Inspector of Factories. The Act prescribed certain provisions regarding cleanliness, lighting, ventilation, sanitation, safety measures, prevention of overcrowding, precautionary measures against fire, dangerous fumes explosive or inflammable dust, etc. It also provides for the elimination of dust and fumes, control of temperature, supply of cold drinking water, protection of eyes, etc., in the working premises. The welfare provisions included in the Act provide for adequate canteen facilities, crèches and shelters or rest rooms. The Act also lays down that every factory employing 1,000 or more workers shall engage a qualified Safety Officer and every factory employing 500 or more workers shall engage a qualified Labour Welfare Officer to look after the welfare of workers. With a view to ensuring the enforcement of these provisions, the inspectorate staffs is required to carry out a minimum number of inspections every month. In case of default, the management is warned and asked to provide the required facilities to the workers and if the violation continues, prosecutions are lunched.
With the establishment
of large-scale units the extension of various provisions of the Factories Act
for labour welfare assumed special importance. The attitude of employer has
changed in favour of providing better amenities to labourers. As on
Employee’s Provident
Fund Scheme.- The wages of the industrial workers are not sufficient to
enable them to save adequately for their old age. When old age or illness
renders them unfit for work, they are forced to lead a life of abject poverty
and dependence. In the event of worker’s premature death his dependents are
left destitute. The Employees Provident Fund Scheme, framed by the Government
of India under the Employees Provident Fund and Family Pension Funds Act, 1952
attempts to remedy this situation.
This scheme came into
force in its entirety from
The number of
factories/establishments covered under the Act in Mansa District as on
The member can draw an
advance for payment of premium of their Life Insurance Policies, purchase of
dwelling site or house, construction of a house, marriage and to defray medical
expenses in case of serious illness from their share of contribution.
To afford financial
assistance to the nominees/ heirs of the deceased members, Death Relief Fund
was set up in 1964. A minimum of Rs 500 is disbursed as relief. A
non-refundable advance is also granted in case of individual retrenchments from
service.
Employee’s State
Insurance Scheme.- This scheme is designed to accomplish the task of
protecting employees as defined in the Employee’s State Insurance (ESI) Act,
1948 against the hazards of sickness, maternity, disablement or death due to
employment injury, and to provide medical care to insured persons and their
families. The scheme provides protection to all employees engaged on monthly
remuneration in a factory using power and employing 10 or more persons and
establishments/shops not using power and employing 20 or more persons. The Act
places prime responsibility on employer’s of paying its own as well as the employee’s share of the
contribution. The contributions are payable by the employee and his employer.
The employee’s, share is deducted from his wages by the employer. The Employee’s
State Insurance Scheme was introduced in the
The scheme is mainly
financed by contributions from employers and employees. The employers
contribute @ 4.75 per cent of the wages payable to the coverable employees and
the employees contribute @ 1.75 per cent of their wages towards scheme.
Employees in the lower wage group and in receipt of average daily wages upto Rs
45 per day are not required to contribute. The employers, however, contribute
their share in respect of such employees also. The State Government contributed
a minimum of 12.5 percent of the total expenditure on medical care in their
respective States.
The worker who is
covered under the scheme is entitled to get medical benefits from the day he
enters into insurable employment. It consists of free medical treatment in case
of sickness, injury and maternity. His family members are also entitled to get
free medical care as explained under the Act. Insured women are entitled to get
periodical payments in case of confinement, miscarriage or sickness arising out
of confinement and premature birth of child. In recent years, the Employees
State Insurance Corporation has been providing additional benefits and
protection to the workers suffering from tuberculosis, cancer, leprosy and
mental diseases. It also provides artificial limbs.
The insured men/women
undergoing sterilization under family planning programme are entitled to cash
benefits and rest of 7 days for vasectomy and 14 days for tubectomy. This may
also be extended to 14 days and 21 days, respectively, in consequence of
post-operative complications.
In addition to above,
the sickness benefits are available to an insured worker in case of certified
sickness. It consists of cash payment for 91 days in two consecutive benefit
periods in case of sickness duly certified by Medical Officer to compensate the
loss of wages suffered on account of their absence from work. In case of
long-term diseases, insured persons are entitled to extend sickness benefit @
of 25 per cent more than the rate of sickness benefit for additional 124 or 309
days in accordance with the disease. The temporary disablement benefit is given
at the rate of 40 per cent more than the standard sickness benefits to insured
persons who sustain employment injury. Further if an employment injury results
in permanent disablement, the insured person is entitled to permanent
disablement benefit proportionate to the loss of his earning capacity as
assessed by the Medical Board constituted for this purpose. Artificial
dentures, spectacles and hearing aids are provided to an insured person where
loss of teeth impairment of eyesight and loss of hearing respectively are
caused due to employment injury. Dependents benefit is available in the form of
pension to the dependents of deceased worker, in case his death occurs due to
an industrial accident or injury. The rates of pension vary depending upon the
relationship between the deceased and the dependents.
The Act also provides
funeral benefits up to Rs 2,500 which are payable to the eldest surviving
member of the family of the deceased insured person to meet the expenditure on
the funeral of the deceased. Where the insured persons does not live with his
family at the time of his death the benefit is payable to the person who
actually incurs the expenditure on the funeral of the deceased. Rehabilitation
allowance is also provided to the insured persons.
The
scheme is administered by a corporate body called the Employees State Insurance
Corporation which has its headquarters at
(b) Prohibition
Like other districts of the State, Mansa is also not a dry area. The
sale of opium is prohibited except for medical uses. The sale of charas, ganja and bhang is also prohibited. During the year 1999-2000, there were two licence holders for consumption of opium in the district with an essentiality certificate
from a Medical Officer. Under the Excise Act, illicit distillation is a criminal offence. The drinking of liquor is banned at public places. In 1999-2000,there were 158 country liquor vends and 24 Indian made foreign liquor vends in the district. However, 26 January (Republic day), 15 August (Independence Day) and 2 October (Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi) are observed as dry days. Besides, liquor vends are closed in the area during the elections for three days. The consumption of exciseable articles in the district during the years 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Country Spirit (Proof Litre) |
Foreign Spirit (Proof Litre) |
Wine/Beer (Bulk Litre) |
|
1992-93 |
6,85,854 |
1,38,819 |
32,438 |
|
1993-94 |
7,35,854 |
1,71,390 |
37,187 |
|
1994-95 |
8,05,902 |
1,93,578 |
40,509 |
|
1995-96 |
8,56,189 |
1,94,870 |
52,485 |
|
1996-97 |
11,01,168 |
2,40,151 |
68,569 |
|
1997-98 |
11,31,168 |
2,52,465 |
1,00,420 |
|
1998-99 |
12,84,612 |
2,80,943 |
1,08,888 |
|
1999-2000 |
12,48,037 |
1,98,886 |
1,23,474 |
(Source:
Assistant Excise & Taxation Commissioner, Mansa)
The number of country liquor vends and Indian made vends in the Mansa District, during the years 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Country Liquor |
Indian made Foreign Liquor |
|
1992-93 |
64 |
9 |
|
1993-94 |
78 |
10 |
|
1994-95 |
91 |
14 |
|
1995-96 |
110 |
18 |
|
1996-97 |
115 |
20 |
|
1997-98 |
123 |
21 |
|
1998-99 |
158 |
26 |
|
1999-2000 |
158 |
24 |
(Source:
Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Mansa)
The Mansa District falls under the jurisdiction of Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Faridkot. The Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Mansa, is assisted by 1 Excise and Taxation Officer, 5 Excise Inspectors,1 Excise Sub-Inspector (Excise Police), 2 Head Constables and 12 Constables, administers the Excise and Opium Acts in the district. The number of cases detected under the Punjab Excise Act in the Mansa District during
the years 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Excise Act |
|
1992-93 |
193 |
|
1993-94 |
205 |
|
1994-95 |
178 |
|
1995-96 |
241 |
|
1996-97 |
305 |
|
1997-98 |
274 |
|
1998-99 |
319 |
|
1999-2000 |
454 |
(Source:
Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Mansa)
( c
) Advancement of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes
Prior to
After
the
Scheduled Castes and
Backward Classes.- According to 1991 Census, the Scheduled Castes
population in the Mansa District constituted 28.91 per cent of the total
population as against 28.31 per cent of the
The list and main professions
of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes inhabiting the Mansa District is given
in Appendix II at the end of this chapter on page 315
Measures Adopted for
the Betterment of the Conditions of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes.-
The Constitution of India provides for special
safeguards for the Backward Classes which include Scheduled Tribes,
Scheduled Castes, Denotified Tribes and other Backward Classes. The interests
of the Scheduled Castes have been protected by including them in the Constitution
(Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950. The Constitution provides that no
discrimination can be made against them in any shape or form. Article 15(a) of
the Constitution empowers the States to make special provisions for the
advancement of Scheduled Castes.
Under the division of
powers, welfare of the Harijans was made the responsibility of the States. The
States enacted legislative measures for the abolition of untouchability and
removal of other hardships confronted by them. The State Government took lead
in enacting legislation for abolition of untouchability. The
The Directive
Principles of State Policy empowers the States to take special care in
promoting the interests of the weaker sections of the society, particularly
Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes. The Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled
Castes and Backward Classes,
The District Welfare
Officer, Mansa is responsible for the implementation of welfare schemes for
Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes at the district level. He is assisted by
3 Tahsil Welfare Officers, one each posted at Mansa, Budhlada and Sardulgarh, 1
Accountant, 2 Assistants, 1 Steno, 5 Clerks besides other miscellaneous Class
IV staff.
Under Article 330 and
332 of the Constitution, provision has been made for the reservation of seats
for the Scheduled Castes and among others, in the Parliament as also in the
State Legislatures on population basis. Initially the reservation was for a
period of 10 years, i.e. up to 1960. This period was extended up to 2010. In
order to provide employment to the educated persons of these classes, 25 per
cent vacancies have been reserved for the Scheduled Castes and 5 per cent for
the Backward Classes in all Government departments and establishments. To
ensure proper implementation of the instructions regarding the reservation of
seats in service, a special cell has been created in the Department of Social
Welfare. No department can recruit a non –Scheduled Castes candidate against a
post reserved for Scheduled Castes unless a certificate is obtained from the
cell to this effect that no suitable Scheduled Caste candidate is available.
The Scheduled Caste candidates also enjoy age relaxation concessions with regard to recruitment to services. The
details of various schemes undertaken for ameliorating the lot of Scheduled
Castes and Backward Classes are given below:
Welfare Schemes
The Department of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes has undertaken
the following schemes in the Mansa District:
Subsidy for
Construction of New Houses for Scheduled Castes and Vimukt Jatis.- In order
to provide shelter to the homeless members of
the Scheduled Castes and Vimukt Jatis, subsidies are given for
the construction of new houses. Such subsidy is given to a person who has no
house of his own. This scheme was started as centrally sponsored scheme but in
1975-76, it was transferred to the State. The amount of subsidy which was earlier
Rs 900 was increased to Rs 2,000 in 1975-76,to Rs 5,000 in 1985-86 to Rs 7,500
in 1993-94 and further raised to Rs 15,000 in 1995-96. In the year 1997-98,
amount of subsidy was increased to Rs 50,000. No funds were allocated under
this scheme in the district since 1998-99.
The amount of subsidy granted and the number of beneficiaries under the scheme in the Mansa District during 1993-94 to 1997-98 are given below:
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of beneficiaries |
|
1993-94 |
2,92,000 |
39 |
|
1994-95 |
21,15,000 |
162 |
|
1995-96 |
6,60,000 |
88 |
|
1996-97 |
45,00,000 |
300 |
|
1997-98 |
1,40,00,000 |
280 |
(Source: District Welfare Officer, Mansa )
Construction of Dharmshalas/
Chaupals.- The Scheduled Castes have no place of their own to celebrate
festivals or marriage of their children. In order to remove this difficulty the
Government introduced a scheme under which subsidy is given for
construction/repair of dharmshala/ chaupal. A grant to extent of Rs
10,000 for the construction of new dharmshala/ chaupal and Rs 3,000 for
the repair of an old/kacha or completion of an incomplete one was given as
subsidy. The grant for the construction of new dharmshala has been increased to
Rs 50,000 and for repair of old dharmshala to Rs 15,000 from 1993-94.
The amount disbursed
and the number of dharmshalas/chaupals constructed/repaired in the
district during the year 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Amount disbursed ( Rs) |
Number of Dharmshalas / chaupals constructed |
|
1992-93 |
6,40,000 |
48 |
|
1993-94 |
9,30,000 |
23 |
|
1994-95 |
8,95,000 |
41 |
|
1995-96 |
4,50,000 |
30 |
|
1996-97 |
- |
- |
|
1997-98 |
2,85,000 |
19 |
|
1998-99 |
6,50,000 |
13 |
|
1999-2000 |
8,50,000 |
17 |
(Source: District Welfare
Officer, Mansa)
Grant for the Purchase of Books and Stationary to Scheduled Castes Students.- This scheme was introduced in 1976-77. The aim
of the scheme is to provide textbooks and stationary free of cost to the
Scheduled Castes students studying at school level i.e. up to class X so as to
relieve the parents/ guardians of these students from financial hardship which
they could ill-afford due to poverty. Initially this scheme was started for
middle classes only but its benefit was extended to high and primary classes
from the year 1981-82 and 1986-87, respectively. This scheme was started in the
Mansa district in 1994-95. The department gets free books directly from the
Punjab School Education Board and distributes them through the District Welfare
Officer.
The amount disbursed and the number
of students benefitted under the scheme in the district, during the years
1994-95 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of students benefitted |
|
1994-95 |
12,24,525 |
5105 |
|
1995-96 |
12,30,435 |
5004 |
|
1996-97 |
23,81,860 |
7405 |
|
1997-98 |
15,15,768 |
10500 |
|
1998-99 |
21,34,433 |
8305 |
|
1999-2000 |
54,17,000 |
12837 |
(Source:
District Welfare Officer, Mansa)
Attendance
Scholarship to Scheduled Castes Girls Students Studying in Primary Classes.- To check the drop-out and to increase the number of
Scheduled Caste girls in primary schools, the State Government has started the
Attendance Scholarship to Scheduled Caste girls scheme in 1992-93 initially at
the primary level Usually the parents of
these girls are poor and they pay no heed to their education and these girls
leave studies and assist their parents in menial jobs to augment their income.
Under this scheme attendance scholarship of Rs 30 per month per student for 10
months in a year is awarded to those girls students in primary classes whose
parents do not have more than 5 acres of land or whose parents do not pay
income tax. For award of scholarship 75 per cent attendance is required.
The amount disbursed and the number of beneficiaries under this scheme
in the district during the years 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of students
benefitted |
|
1992-93 |
10,91,392 |
5,836 |
|
1993-94 |
13,88,650 |
5,878 |
|
1994-95 |
16,74,267 |
7,221 |
|
1995-96 |
20,63,776 |
7,979 |
|
1996-97 |
36,00,000 |
9,567 |
|
1997-98 |
34,34,000 |
11,106 |
|
1998-99 |
8,55,083 |
11,336 |
|
1999-2000 |
54,17,000 |
12,837 |
(Source: District Welfare
Officer, Mansa)
Financial Assistance to Scheduled Castes for the Development of Manurial
Pits.- This scheme was started in 1980-81. The aim of
this scheme is to provide manurial pits measuring not more than one marla to
the members of Scheduled Castes and Vimukt Jatis to enable them to dump their
domestic waste. This scheme was dropped in 1985 but keeping in view the
necessity and the acuteness of the problem faced by the members of Scheduled
Castes Communities, it was again revived in 1990-91. As per norms of the scheme
the land which is purchased for this purpose should not exceed to 1,000 per
marla. The rate has since been enhanced to Rs 5,000 per marla in 1995-96. This
scheme was started in the district during the year 1992-93 and dropped in
1997-98.
The amount disbursed and the number
of beneficiaries under the scheme in the district, during the years 1992-93
to1996-97 are given below:
|
Year |
Amount
disbursed (Rs) |
Number
of beneficiaries |
|
1992-93 |
1,33,000 |
120 |
|
1993-94 |
1,33,000 |
120 |
|
1994-95 |
2,63,000 |
263 |
|
1995-96 |
1,92,000 |
83 |
|
1996-97 |
2,00,000 |
51 |
(Source: District Welfare
Officer, Mansa)
On the Job Training and Guaranteed
Employment for Unemployed Scheduled Castes.-
This scheme was introduced in the State in 1990-91. It is one of the
measures taken by the Government to ameliorate the socio-economic conditions of
the unemployed Scheduled Castes youth. To achieve this end, the unemployed
youths are provided training in various industrial and economic units, etc.
This scheme aims at to provide training to unemployed Scheduled Caste persons
in different trades and to get them employed. It aims at eradicating poverty,
raising productivity, reducing income inequalities and economic disparity and
for improving the quality of life of the Scheduled Castes unemployed persons by
establishing them in the income generating jobs. Duration of training is one
year. During the period of training a sum of Rs 500 per month is given to a
trainee as stipend. After the successful completion of training of one year,
the concerned establishment is required to provide employment to the trainee at
least for two years at minimum wages fixed by Government. The District Welfare
Officer is responsible for its effective implementation. The scheme was started
in the district during 1993-94 and dropped during 1997-98.
The amount disbursed and the number
of beneficiaries in the district during the years 1993-94 to 1996-97 are given
below:
|
Year |
Amount
disbursed (Rs) |
Number
of beneficiaries |
|
1993-94 |
2,64,000 |
34 |
|
1994-95 |
2,10,000 |
35 |
|
1995-96 |
2,10,000 |
35 |
|
1996-97 |
2,00,000 |
33 |
(Source: District Welfare Officer,
Mansa)
Removal of Untouchability.- The
Scheme for Removal of Untouchability was introduced in the State in 1985 under
the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955. Under the scheme inter-caste
marriages are encouraged and a sum of Rs 11,000 is given to the couple. Village
panchayats and voluntary organizations who spend more than 25 per cent of their
income for the all round development of Scheduled Castes are also given
financial assistance to the extent of Rs 10,000 and 20,000 respectively.
Further, under the scheme writers wielding their pen against untouchability are
given cash reward of Rs 1,000. The scheme was started in the district during 1992-93.
The amount spent under this scheme
on different items in the Mansa District, during the years 1992-93 to 1999-2000
are given below:
|
Year |
Inter- caste marriages |
Best
panchayats
|
Voluntary organizations |
|||
|
|
Amount
disbursed (Rs) |
No.
of couples |
Amount (Rs) |
Number |
Amount (Rs) |
Number |
|
1992-93 |
35,000 |
5 |
35,000 |
7 |
10,000 |
1 |
|
1993-94 |
21,000 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1994-95 |
99,000 |
9 |
25,000 |
5 |
10,000 |
1 |
|
1995-96 |
1,21,000 |
11 |
1,50,000 |
15 |
- |
- |
|
1996-97 |
50,000 |
12 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997-98 |
25,000 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1998-99 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1999-2000 |
1,25,000 |
5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(Source:
District Welfare Officer, Mansa)
Individual Water Borne Latrines
Scheme in the Rural Areas.-This scheme was introduced in the year 1990-91.
The Scheduled Castes people particularly old and aged women and children face
difficulties in the rural area, as they have to depend upon fields to attend to
the call of the nature. It is equally necessary to prevent open defecation,
which are prone to epidemic diseases. Under this scheme, a sum of Rs 2,500 per
unit is provided as subsidy to construct one unit of pucca latrines. The scheme
was started in the district during 1994-95 and dropped in 1997-98.
The amount disbursed and the number
of water borne latrines constructed in the district, during the year 1994-95 to
1996-97 are given below:
|
Year |
Amount
disbursed (Rs) |
Number
of water borne latrines constructed |
|
1994-95 |
5,76,000 |
230 |
|
1995-96 |
- |
- |
|
1996-97 |
20,00,000 |
500 |
(Source:
District Welfare Officer, Mansa)
Shagan
Scheme.-To provide social honour and social recognition to Scheduled
Castes and Dalit Christian girls, the Punjab Government have started, in
1997-98, a novel scheme to give them Rs 5,100 as shagan, at their
marriage.
The amount disbursed and the number of beneficiaries in the Mansa District during the years 1997-98 and 1999-2000 are given below:
Year |
Amount
disbursed (Rs) |
Number
of beneficiaries |
|
1997-98 |
6,88,80,000 |
13,490 |
|
1998-99 |
1,02,66,000 |
2,013 |
|
1999-2000 |
31,28,000 |
612 |
(Source: District
Welfare Officer, Mansa)
Social Welfare Activities
The Social Welfare Department was set up in September 1955. Its name has been changed to Social Security with effect from 15 December 1995.1The department is entrusted with the work of formulation and implementation of various welfare schemes for socially and economically weaker sections of the society. It has been assisting institutional as well as non-institutional welfare services for the welfare of children, women, aged and infirms, orthopaedically handicapped, the blind, deaf and dumb and other under-privileged and mal-adjusted groups. Some schemes such as old age pension, financial assistance to widows and destitutes, to dependent children, to victims of chronic diseases, to victims of riots, to widows whose husbands were killed by terrorists and scholarships to handicapped students have been started. Keeping in view the difficulties of the needy public these schemes have been decentralised from November 1980. The District Social Security Officer have
19951 Vide Notification No. 11/111/95-5 S.W 9151 dated
been appointed in all the districts under the supervision of the Deputy
Commissioner, The payments to the beneficiaries are made by the District Social Security Officers and Sub Divisional Magistrates through banks. The
important schemes functioning in the district are given below:
Old Age Pension Scheme.- The protective umbrella of social security in the form of old age pension was provided to old and destitute persons in 1964 for the first time. The old and destitute persons above the age of 65 years in the case of men and 60 years in the case of women with no means of livelihood and have no earning son are eligible for pension. Initially, this assistance was granted @ Rs 50 per month which was raised to Rs 100 in 1990 to Rs 150 in 1992-1993 and to Rs 200 during the year 1995-96. The persons who are suffering from permanent disability was allowed relaxation of 10 years in the lower age limit.
The National Old Age Pension Scheme was started in August 1995. Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs 75 per month is given to aged, infirms and destitute persons above the age of 65 years in case of men and 60 years in case of women.
The amount disbursed and the number of beneficiaries under the schemes “Old Age Pension and National Old Age Pension" during the years 1992-93 to 1999-2000 in the Mansa District is given below:
|
Year |
|
|
||
|
|
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
No. of benefi-
ciaries |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
No. of benefi-
ciaries |
|
1992-93 |
67,50,000 |
6,571 |
- |
- |
|
1993-94 |
1,30,83,000 |
7,602 |
- |
- |
|
1994-95 |
1,25,44,000 |
7,816 |
- |
- |
|
1995-96 |
1,54,17,000 |
6,494 |
10,60,000 |
2,000 |
|
1996-97 |
2,45,51,000 |
12,368 |
18,00,000 |
2,000 |
|
1997-98 |
2,86,43,000 |
11,551 |
18,00,000 |
2,000 |
|
1998-99 |
2,19,41,600 |
21,158 |
7,40,000 |
823 |
|
1999-2000 |
4,43,14,200 |
11,410 |
20,37,000 |
2,264 |
(Source : District Social Security Officer,Mansa )
Financial Assistance to Widows and Destitute Women.- This scheme was introduced in the State in 1968, with a view to provide financial assistance to needy destitute women below the age of 60 years. Under this scheme, the assistance is given to those women who are left without any means of subsistence after the demise of their husband or whose husbands are physically or mentally incapable of earning a livelihood. The rate of assistance was fixed to Rs 50 per month but was raised to Rs 100 in 1990 and Rs 150 in 1991-92 and to Rs 200 during the year 1995-96.
The amount disbursed and the number of beneficiaries under the scheme in the Mansa District, during 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of beneficiaries |
|
1992-93 |
15,15,000 |
1,369 |
|
1993-94 |
32,41,000 |
1,374 |
|
1994-95 |
24,10,000 |
1,356 |
|
1995-96 |
31,00,000 |
1,267 |
|
1996-97 |
40,92,000 |
1,921 |
|
1997-98 |
52,40,000 |
2,047 |
|
1998-99 |
27,68,000 |
3,671 |
|
1999-2000 |
67,25,200 |
2,074 |
(Source : District Social Security Officer,Mansa )
Financial Assistance to the
Dependent Children.- Introduced in March 1968 with a view to provide
financial assistance to the destitute children whose parents/guardians are not
in a position to bring them up.
Assistance is given for the maintenance and education of such children through
their parents/guardians up to the maximum age of 21 years, up to which he is a regular student and the benefit is
restricted up to only two children in a
family. Preference is given to the school going children for financial
assistance as an incentive so as to educate them. In the beginning the rate of
financial assistance was Rs 50 per month per child, which was finally raised to
Rs 200 during the year 1995-96.
The
amount disbursed and the number of beneficiaries under the scheme in the Mansa
District, during 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of beneficiaries |
|
1992-93 |
1,19,000 |
291 |
|
1993-94 |
2,00,000 |
284 |
|
1994-95 |
2,23,000 |
279 |
|
1995-96 |
1,75,000 |
276 |
|
1996-97 |
15,10,000 |
365 |
|
1997-98 |
6,63,000 |
579 |
|
1998-99 |
6,73,200 |
804 |
|
1999-2000 |
14,00,800 |
236 |
(Source:
District Social Security Officer, Mansa)
Financial
Assistance to Disabled Persons.-Under this scheme financial assistance is provided to disabled persons
whom a Medical Officer not below the rank of Assistant Civil Surgeon, certify
that the person concerned is permanently incapacitated to earn or is severely
retarded due to physical defect or deformity and is dependent on others. The
rate of assistance was fixed to Rs 50, which was raised to Rs 100 and then to
Rs 150 and finally raised to Rs 200
during the year 1995-96.
The
amount disbursed and the number of beneficiaries under the scheme in the Mansa
district, during 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of beneficiaries |
|
1992-93 |
2,61,000 |
297 |
|
1993-94 |
5,55,000 |
353 |
|
1994-95 |
5,52,000 |
346 |
|
1995-96 |
7,90,000 |
335 |
|
1996-97 |
13,51,000 |
466 |
|
1997-98 |
12,20,000 |
678 |
|
1998-99 |
9,00,000 |
1,173 |
|
1999-2000 |
26,15,400 |
688 |
(Source:
District Social Security Officer, Mansa)
Financial Assistance to
the Victims of Riots.-This scheme was started in 1985 with a view to provide financial
assistance to the widows of victims of riots for grant of pension to widows. A
lump sum grant and financial assistance of Rs 250 per month is provided to
widows whose husband were killed during the wake of assassination of former
Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi on 31 October 1984. The amount of monthly assistance
has been increased to Rs 1,000 per month with effect from
The
parents of the victim have also been included in the scheme for subsistence
allowance from
The parents of the victims have also been provided subsistence allowance
of Rs 300 per month with effect from
Subsistence
allowance of Rs 2,500 is given on the condition that if the income of the
widows/parents including subsistence allowance does not exceed Rs 5,000 per
month. If the total income increases above Rs 5,000 the rate of subsistence
allowance is reduced according. The children of the victims are also provided
free education
The
amount disbursed and the number of beneficiaries under the scheme ‘
Financial Assistance to the
Victims of Riots’ in the Mansa District
during 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of beneficiaries |
|
1992-93 |
21,40,100 |
34 |
|
1993-94 |
14,39,381 |
54 |
|
1994-95 |
70,80,610 |
60 |
|
1995-96 |
38,97,798 |
48 |
|
1996-97 |
13,66,351 |
48 |
|
1997-98 |
12,39,490 |
48 |
|
1998-99 |
17,13,463 |
56 |
|
1999-2000 |
- |
- |
(Source: Sub
Divisional Officer,Civil Mansa, Budhlada and Sardulgarh)
Financial Assistance to
Widows whose Husbands were Killed by Terrorists.-This scheme was started in the State in August
1982. Under this scheme lump sum grant and financial assistance of Rs 250 per
month per widow is provided whose husband was killed by terrorists . The
monthly assistance has been increased to Rs 1,000 from May 1990 to Rs 1,500
from April 1992 and further increased to Rs 2,500 from
Under
this scheme parents of the victims have also been provided subsistence
allowance of Rs 300 per month with effect from
Subsistence
allowance of Rs 2,500 is given on the condition that if the income of the
widow/parents including subsistence allowance does not exceed Rs 5,000 per
month. If the total income increases Rs 5,000 the rate of subsistence allowance
is reduced according. The children of the victims are also provided free
education up to University level and they are provided priority in service.
The
amount disbursed and the number of beneficiaries under the scheme “Financial
Assistance to Widows Whose Husband were killed by Terrorists” in the Mansa
District during 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of beneficiaries |
|
1992-93 |
22,30,797 |
142 |
|
1993-94 |
22,31,494 |
119 |
|
1994-95 |
15,67,940 |
108 |
|
1995-96 |
48,76,658 |
119 |
|
1996-97 |
24,42,901 |
109 |
|
1997-98 |
32,37,720 |
111 |
|
1998-99 |
27,19,143 |
116 |
|
1999-2000 |
37,69,711 |
135 |
(Source : Sub Divisional Magistrate Civil Mansa, Budhlada and Sardulgarh)
National Family Benefit
Scheme.- This
scheme was started during the year 1995. Under this scheme, financial
assistance of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 is provided to those persons who are
living below the line of poverty in case of natural death and in case of
accidental death respectively. This amount was increased to Rs 10,000 in both
cases of death from August 1998.
The
amount disbursed and the number of beneficiaries under this scheme during
1995-96 to 1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of beneficiaries |
|
1995-96 |
2,52,000 |
48 |
|
1996-97 |
8,53,000 |
190 |
|
1997-98 |
3,85,000 |
73 |
|
1998-99 |
4,35,000 |
78 |
|
1999-2000 |
8,21,000 |
100 |
(Source : District Social Security Officer,
Mansa )
National
Maternity Benefit Scheme.- This scheme was introduced in the district during the year 1995. Under
this scheme, financial assistance of Rs 300 is provided to pregnant women upto
two live births who are living below the poverty line. The rate of amount has
been increased to Rs 500 from August 1998.
The amount disbursed and the
number of beneficiaries under the scheme in the district during 1996-97 to
1999-2000 is given below:
|
Year |
Amount
disbursed (Rs) |
Number
of beneficiaries |
|
1996-97 |
44,000 |
147 |
|
1997-98 |
39,000 |
130 |
|
1998-99 |
49,000 |
.. |
|
1999-2000 |
4,000 |
.. |
(Source:
District Social Security Officer, Mansa)
(e) Public Trusts, Charitable Endowments and
Muslim Wakfs
Public and Charitable endowments play a significant role in the life of the society. There are certain voluntary organizations which endeavour for bringing about improvement in the society in various spheres, such as social, religious, education, etc. Public trusts and charitable endowments fall among these categories of organizations. Many educational institutions, hospitals, dharmshalas and other social welfare organizations are either run or materially aided by these endowments. There are certain philanthropnist who make liberal contribution to the funds of these organizations.
A brief description of the public trusts and charitable endowments, which are functioning in the Mansa District, is given below:
Shri Sham Lal Jain Trust Mansa.- It was founded by Sham Lal Jain. It has 15 members. The annual income of this trust is Rs 1,50,000. This trust runs a free dispensary in the slum area of Mansa . It is assisted by 1 Doctor and 2 Nurses. It distributes stationery, books and school dresses to the poor students and supplies fans, etc.to the schools. It also donated Rs 10,000 as a Kargil Fund to the Red Cross Society, Mansa.
Shiv Shakti Trust Budhlada.- This trust was constituted in 1986. It has 18 members. The annual income of this trust is Rs 50 lakhs. It celebrates marriages of poor girls and organises medical camps. Besides, it distributes medicines, clothes, to the poor people and helps during floods in effected areas.
Shri Santan Dharam Mahabir Dal, Mansa.- The Mahabir Dal was founded by Shri Madan Mohan Malvia in the year 1925. After him, Swami Ganesh Datt took the charge of this institution. The main aim of this Dal is to develop the Sanatan Dharam in the district.
It
has been rendering services in religions, social and cultural activities. It
sends its volunteers for making arrangements at various fairs and festivals
held in and outside the State such as
.
APPENDIX I (Vide page 296)
List of Trade Unions in the Mansa
District
|
Serial No. |
Name of the |
Year/Date of Registration |
|
1 |
Kirti Dal Federation |
|
|
2 |
House
Painters |
|
|
3 |
Ambedkar Plumbers’Union, Mansa |
|
|
4 |
The Mansa
Central Cooperative Employees |
|
|
5 |
Dr Ambedkar
Tailoring Workers’ |
|
|
6 |
Municipal
Employees’ |
|
|
7 |
Raj Mistry |
|
|
8 |
Ussari Mazdoor Union, Mansa |
|
|
9 |
Forest
Development Field Workers’ |
|
(Source: Assistant Labour Commissioner, Bathinda)
APPENDIX II (Vide page 301)
Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes inhabiting in the Mansa District
|
Serial No. |
Name of the Caste |
Main Profession |
Scheduled Castes
|
||
|
1 |
Ad-Dharmi |
Service,
agriculture,labour,weaving,animal husbandry,etc. |
|
2 |
Bawaria |
Agriculture
and labour |
|
3 |
Balmiki |
Sweeping
, agriculture, labour and service |
|
4 |
Chamar |
`Shoe-making
and leather tanning |
|
5 |
Raiger |
Shoe-making
and leather tanning |
|
6 |
Ramdasia |
Shoe-making,
service, agriculture and Shop keeping |
|
7 |
Dhanak |
Labour in
factories |
|
8 |
Dumna,
Mhasha, Doom |
Agriculture,
labour etc. |
|
9 |
Kabirpathi |
Weaving
and agriculture |
|
10 |
Khatik |
Tanning
and selling of leather, shop keeping |
|
11 |
Kori |
- |
|
12 |
Mazhabi |
Agriculture
and labour |
|
13 |
Nut |
- |
|
14 |
Od |
- |
|
15 |
Sansi |
Agriculture
and labour |
|
16 |
Sirkiband |
Cultivation |
Backward
Classes
|
1 |
Naik
|
Growing
and selling vegetable |
|
2 |
Thori |
Begging |
|
3 |
Kahar,
Jhindwar |
Labour |
|
4 |
Weaver
(Jullaha) |
Weaving
and agriculture |
|
5 |
Labana |
Agriculture |
|
6 |
Kamboj |
Labour,service,agriculture,etc. |
|
7 |
Rai Sikh |
Agriculture
and service |
|
8 |
Barwar |
- |
|
9 |
Bharbhunja |
Grain-parching
and hawking |
|
10 |
Bhat |
Tailoring
and labour |
|
11 |
Lohar |
Blacksmithy |
|
12 |
Dakaut |
Labour
and begging |
|
13 |
Kashyap
Rajputs |
Cooking
and dhaba business |
|
14 |
Gaddaris |
Sheep and
goat keeping |
|
15 |
Khati |
House
building and wood work |
|
16 |
Jhangra
Brahman |
Labour |
|
17 |
Kucha
band |
Making of
winnowing basket |
|
18 |
Lakhera,Manjhar |
Labour |
|
19 |
Soi |
Labour |
|
20 |
Mirasi |
Labour |
|
21 |
Singhi
kant |
Shoe-making
and singhian |
|
22 |
Teli |
Oilwork |
|
23 |
Gujjar |
Sheep and
goat keeping |
(Source: District Welfare Officer,
Mansa)