Vol . II : Issue.

ISSN:2250 - 1940
Available online at www.selptrust.org Research Explorer ISSN : 2250 - 1940 Vol II : Issue. 6 January - June 2013

WELFARE SCHEMES OF TAMIL NADU ADI DIRAVIDAR HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (TAHDCO) LTD AN OVERVIEW
Dr.K.Krishnakumar, Assistant Professor, P.Tamilselvan, Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of Commerce, Periyar University, Salem, TN, India.
ABSTRACT In India, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes community share a significant amount in the total population. But the SC/ST community people are the most disadvantaged and discriminated group in the society. Majority of SC people are living in rural areas and their occupations are agricultural labo ur, civil labour, sweepers etc. Poverty is the major constraint for their economic development; to remove pove rty, inequality and uplift SC/ST people, the Central and State governments facilitate and implement vario us schemes for the welfare of SC/ST. In Tamil Nadu, the State Government promotes TAHDCO as a Scheduled Caste Development Corporation (SCDC) for providing financial assistance in order to improve the livi ng conditions of SC and ST.

Keywords: Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, Poverty, Welfare Schemes, TAHDCO Introduction In India, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes position have been underprivileged and discriminated in the society. The SC/ST people are the highly ignorant clients of the Indian community system and they share the significant amount (16.23% & 8.2% as per 2001 Census) in total population. Majority of SC/ST are living in rural areas, below poverty line, they are mostly involved in daily wages work relating to agricultural labour, civil labour, cleaning works and low income generating occupations, inferior trades and menial occupations and living under unhygienic environment. So, economic upliftment of SC/ST is one of the most important to the Indian community system to abolish the inequalities in the society. Economic development of SC/ST helps to the Indian economic development. TAHDCO is distributing financial support to generate income, create assets and skill training programmes for peoples belonging to SC/ST. The Financial support provided as immediate subsidy and back end subsidy to the beneficiaries with
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bank loans to set up income generating activities and the allocated resources is distributed through its district offices through various schemes. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Indian caste system The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were kept from the rest of the society due to the prevalent practices of untouchability. In Indian, caste system based on the notion of purity and population believed that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were polluted. As a result they were forced to live outside the village/town pr oper and suf fer ed fr om discrimination in all walks of life. On account of the restrictions, the SC/ST were placed low in social hier ar chy a nd suffer ed fr om disab ilities and discrimination. These disabilities can be categorized as occupational disabilities, educational disabilities, social, cultural and religious disabilities and political disabilities.
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Tamil Nadu Adi Diravidar Housing Development Corporation Ltd (TAHDCO) TAHDCO was set up in the year 1974 with a view to take up programmes for the economic development of SC/ST families in Tamil Nadu. This Corporation was registered under the Companies Act with share holding pattern of 51:49 between the State and Central Governments respectively. The main aim of TAHDCO is to achieve and sustain increase in economic level of the SC/ST population through financial assistances for income generating activities especially those living below poverty line. The promotional role of TAHDCO consists of identifying SC/ST clusters through special surveys, the identification and motivation of eligible beneficiaries, the assessment of their felt needs and financial requirements and subsidy thereof, the preparation of suitable economic schemes for different occupational groups among them, bringing them in contact with financial institutions and government development agencies, etc. T he catalytic and guarantor s roles were to be played by interacting and intervention at crucial points to provide the missing inputs necessary for the economic development of the target groups. TAHDCO Schemes TAHDCO schemes have been decentralized and formulated at the district level for the economic development of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes under the dynamic leadership of District Collectors, in the form of District Action Plans in accordance with the local needs, local potential and availability of resources. Land Purchase and Development Scheme Land Purchase and Development Scheme is a scheme of far reaching socio economic significance for SC and ST, which aims to provide agricultural land as asset and various other agricultural inputs to improve the productivity of land, to landless, small and marginal farmers. In this scheme, 30 percent of the project cost or 2.25 lakhs whichever is less given as backend subsidy to each applicant family. Maximum project cost of the scheme is Rs.7.5 Lacs allocated for 4 components such as Purchase of agricultural land, Land development, Minor irrigation facilities and Animal Husbandry Activities. This
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scheme provide 30% as subsidy from TAHDCO and 70% as loan from banking institutions also offer exemption from stamp duty and registration charges to the extent of 100% and provide Immediate Electricity Service Connection for agricultural pump sets from TNEB on priority basis. This scheme is exclusively for poor SC/ST women. Agricultural land is to be identified by beneficiary and sale agreement entered with the seller. The agricultural land must be 2.5 acres of wetland or 5 acres of dry land (inclusive of land already owned) can be purchased under these scheme. Financial Assistance for individual beneficiaries Financial Assistance for projects up to Rs.7.5 lacs is given to SC/ST individuals for starting any viable income generating economic activity. This scheme provides 30% of the project cost subject to maximum of Rs.2.25000 as subsidy from TAHDCO. Promoters contribution is required to the extent of 5% of the project cost and the balance amount is arranged as bank loan. All individuals in the age group of 18-55 living below the poverty line i.e. having an annual family income of less than Rs.100000, both rural and urban areas can avail this benefit. Self Help Group Schemes A. Self Help Groups - Financial Assistance For Economic Activities Financial assistance for projects up to Rs.5.00 Lacs is given to Self Help Groups of SC/ST women functioning under the Mahalir Thittam, for starting any viable income generating economic activity. This scheme provides 50% of the project cost as subsidy from TAHDCO and 50% as loan from banks .No promoters contribution is required for the project cost up to Rs.2 .5 Lacs wher e as 5% pr omoter s contribution is required for the Project Cost of Rs.2.5 Lacs to 5 Lacs. This scheme includes the assistance for dairy farming, vegetable cultivation, hotels & restaurants, provision stores, power loom, leather goods, transport vehicles, trading activities, etc. B. Self Help Groups -Revolving Fund Assistance Revolving Fund Assistance of Rs.75,000/- per SHG, is given to credit rated and eligible SHGs of SC/ST women, which includes Rs.25,000/- as grant from TAHDCO and Rs.50,000/- as loan from Banks, to enable the SHGs to build and strengthen their capabilities.
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C. Self Help Groups -Entrepreneurship Development Programme(EDP) Under the EDP Programme for SHG members, 7 day training in entrepreneurship development is organized for SC/ST members of SHGSs under Mahalir Thittam, through Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women to enable them to start a micro enterprise and avail assistance under TAHDCO Scheme. 4. Collectors Discretionary Fund Scheme T hr ough the mechanism of CDFS, Distr ict Collectors are enabled to directly reach out and ameliorate the economic condition of the most marginalized SC and ST, who are beyond the reach of regular Government schemes. District Collectors can grant 100% assistance in the form of assets with a value up to Rs.20,000 per person which is directly given to marginalize SC/ST, identified by the District Collector, for starting small level income generating activity for bonded laborers, caste-atrocity affected, widows, destitute, disabled, etc. are benefited by this scheme. 5. Self Employment Programme for Youth (SEPY) Under SEPY, in each district, a set of viable self employment ventures are identified in accordance with the local potential, and selected educated youth in the age group of 18-35, are intensively trained and escorted in obtaining financial assistance and in starting and running the ventures sustainable over a period of time. Financial assistance for starting self employment ventures is provided for a maximum project cost of Rs.7.50 Lacs, in which 30% of the project cost is subjected to the maximum of Rs.225000 as subsidy from TAHDCO, 5% of pr omoter s contribution and the balance is arranged as loan from banks. All other assistance of training the youth, pr oviding common infr astr uctur e facilities, technological assistance, and marketing assistance, etc. are provided on a grant basis to comprehensively assist and enable the youth to sustain the ventures. 6. TAHDCO Special Economic Projects District Administration under the leadership of District Collector, draws up special economic projects, which focuses on uplifting a specific group of SC/ST poor families in a specific area, by identifying a specific
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viable income generating economic activity and providing the necessary income generating assets along with all necessary backward and forward linkage assistance. Special Economic projects are for mulated and implemented b y pr oject Implementation Team under the Chairmanship of District Collector. 7. Vocational Training Programme For SC/ ST Youth Fr ee Vocat ional Tr aining Pr ogr ammes ar e organized for youth in the age group of 18-35 years in reputed and recognized training institutions in all districts through the TAHDCO District Vocational Training Programme Committee headed by the District Collector. Courses having high employment potential such as Nursing, Hotel Management & Catering, Appar el Design & Manufactur ing, Computer Softwar e Pr ogramming, IT- enabled ser vices, Electrical/ Electronics repair and maintenance, etc. are organized to enable the SC/ST youth to seek gainful employment in the private sector. The entire course fee is borne by TAHDCO and also stipend of Rs.400/- per month is provided to these students. 8. Employability Enhancement Programmes of TAHDCO Training

To enable the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Youth of Tamil Nadu to obtain immediate job employment at all levels, by significantly upgrading their employability status, through job-oriented skill training programmes and also to enable them to start self employment ventures. A.Organising the Training Programmes: TAHDCOs Vocational Training Programmes are organised in all the 30 Districts of Tamil Nadu through the TAHDCO District Manager s office in each district. Every year, Vocational Training Committee under the Chairmanship of the District Collector selects job oriented courses in accordance with the potential in the district. Only such training institutions which are recognised by Government of Tamil Nadu or Government of India or highly reputed private organizations are selected by this committee to conduct the courses. After extensive publicity through newspaper advertisements, candidates are selected through interviews by the committee for various courses as per eligible and merit.
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B. Features of the Training Programmes Entire cost of training payable to the training institutions is borne by TAHDCO. Stipend of Rs.400/ - per month is given to the candidates to support them during training. Course duration ranges from 3 months to 2 years. Training is organized only in such institutions which have valid recognition of the Department of Employment and Training or Department of Technical Education or Department of Medical Education of Government of Tamil Nadu or of Government of India. Training highly reputed private institutions are organized, in exceptional cases only. On Passing the examinations conducted by the G over nment, certificates are issued by the respective Government Department Candidates are assisted in getting job placements. Candidates who are able and willing are given financial assistance under TAHDCO schemes, for starting self employment ventures, after a short duration Entrepreneurship Development Programme. 9. Training Courses Organized in Government of India Agencies by TAHDCO TAHDCO organizing various training courses jointly with various Government of India agencies to develop the skill of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes youths and assisted in getting job placements. 1. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Chennai NIFT provides one year programmes in Fashion & Clothing Technology, Fashion Knitwear & Pr oduction Technology, Clothing Pr oduction Technology and Six months Programme in Industrial Pattern Making. These programmes 2. Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET), Chennai CIPET provides six months course in CAM/ CNC, Plastic Processing Technology and Plastic Processing Machine Operator. CIPET also provides three months courses in Plastics Mould Design with AUTOCAD and CAD/CAM. 3. National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Chennai NFDC provides three weeks course in NonLinear Editing. 4. Apparel Training & Design Centre (ATDC), Chennai ATDC provides One year course in Apparel Manufacturing Technology, Six months course in
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Pattern Cutting Masters Course, Sewing Machine Operator and Six months course in Production Supervisor and Quality Controller Course. 5. Indian Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology (IIHM), Chennai IIHM provides Six months Hotel Management course in Catering and House Keeping Supervisor, Food Production, Bakery & Confectionery, House Keeping, Front Office Operation and Food & Beverage Service. 6. Skill up gradation Programmes for SC/ST Members of Women SHGs TAHDCO organizes short duration skill up gradation Programmes for SC/ST members of women SHGs to enable them to start self Employment ventures. 10805 SC/ST SHG women members were given skill training in 2005Programmes are organized in the villages by recognized agencies/NGOs Entrepreneur ship Development Programme (EDP) of 7 days duration has been organized by TAHDCO, for 38,741 women SC/ ST members of SHGs through the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Ltd. Conclusion It is clear from the above discussion that TAHDCO distributed about Rs. 39757.78 Lakhs for 1077996 beneficiaries for the last 10 years from 2001-2002 to 2010-2011 through various schemes provided to both individuals as well as to the Self Help Groups. TAHDCO schemes cover all areas such as providing viable income generating activities and creating assets among the beneficiaries. There are various schemes provided by the TAHDCO for the empowerment of SC/ST people. The awareness about these schemes among the SC/ST people must be created and they must be educated about the real benefits of these schemes. Which will ensure them empowerment in this society by eliminating the poverty which ultimately reduction the inequality among the Indian community system. References 1. www.tn.gov.in 2. www.tahdco.tn.gov.in 3. www.nsfdc.nic.in 4. censusindia.gov.in

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Table 1 Development Activities of Tamil Nadu Adi Diravidar Housing Development Corporation Ltd (Rs. In Lakhs)

Table - 2 Development Activities of Tamil Nadu Adi Diravidar Housing Development Corporation Ltd for last five years (Rs. In Lakhs)

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