Welfare of Plain Tribes & Backward Classes is the nodal department for formulation and implementation of policies and programmes for welfare and development of the Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Other backward Classes in the State. The department is vested with the responsibilities of implementing the provisions of the Assam SC/ST Reservation Act, 1978 and rules framed thereunder. The department is also responsible for implementation of Tribal Sub Plan and Scheduled Castes Sub Plan Components of the State Annual Plan, Central Government and State Government funded programmes for the Welfare of SC/ST/OBC in the State. This Citizen Charter is prepared with a view to enable the clients/citizens to achieve the services rendered by WPT & BC Deptt.

VISION:

The vision of the Department of Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes is to take steps so that members of the target groups of this Department, namely, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, can lead ‘productive’, ‘safe’ and ‘dignified’ lives, with all their basic needs being fulfilled and where equal opportunities are ensured for the growth and development of these communities.

MISSION:

The mission of the Department is to empower its target groups, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, through – i) Adoption of developmental schemes and programmes for reduction and removal of the gap in socio-economic disparity. ii) Framing an implementation of Legislative and Executive intervention iii) Providing socio-economic and livelihood opportunities.

Business transacted:-

(i) The Directorates implement welfare schemes of their respective target groups under State Plan, Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes under Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub-Scheme (TSS)

(ii) Preparation of Annual Plan

(iii) Preparation of Annual Financial Statement

(iv) Financial Assistance in education sector by way of providing Post-matric and Pre-matric scholarship to SC/ST/OBC students; conduct research seminars and workshops on Tribal related issues by Assam Institute of Research for Tribes and Scheduled Castes; and imparting training to ST youths in different trades at vocational training institutes. Skill Development Training under Sati Radhika Women Empowerment Scheme to SC unemployed women/girls.

(v) Implementation of orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court/ High Court.

(vi) Organizing review committee meeting

(vii) Holding of Advisory Council for welfare of SC/ST/OBC

(viii) Holding of State Level Scrutiny Committee (SLSC) meeting for Caste verification

(ix) Framing guidelines for issue of Caste certificates like SC Certificate, ST Certificate and OBC Certificate and Non Creamy layer Certificate

(x) Executing and implementing a special Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely ‘Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana’ (PMAGY)

(xi) Proper implementation of Acts like Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989), Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013; Implementing the provisions of the Assam SC/ST Reservation Act 1978 as amended in 2012; The Financial Responsibility and Budget Management Act, Implementation of Forest Right Act 2006 in the State of Assam, etc.