Welfare of SC/ST/OBCs

SC/ST Cell

In accordance with the policy of the Government of India, an SC/ST cell is functioning in the Department of Commerce. A Liaison Officer is nominated in the Department and in each of the organizations under the Department. So far as services and posts in the Department and organizations under its administrative control are concerned, none of the posts has been exempted from the purview of the reservation orders. The Liaison Officer examines and rectifies, wherever necessary, the roster maintained by the various organizations for ensuring representation to SC/ST/OBCs. The Liaison Officer also provides relevant guidelines to the officers in the Department of Commerce, its attached and subordinate offices and the Public Sector Undertakings, in accordance with the instructions issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DOP&T) from time to time. The Cell is also looking after the work regarding implementation of the Government Orders in respect of reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to the extent of
27 per cent in direct recruitment.

A statement showing total number of Government employees and the number of SC/ST/OBCs as on 31.12.2006 in the Department of Commerce, its subordinate offices, Public Sector Undertakings, semi-autonomous bodies etc. is attached at Appendix -III.

The Commodity Boards under the administrative control of the Department of Commerce have certain specific schemes under special tribal plans, which are operated with a view to supplementing the efforts of the Government in improving the socio-economic conditions of the SC/ST in the non-traditional areas. The welfare activities undertaken by different organisations attached to this Department are given below:-

Rubber Board

The various schemes operated/ activities undertaken by the Rubber Board for the welfare of SC/ST category of growers during the year 2006-07 include:

• An amount of Rs. 7.35 lakh was disbursed to 94 SC/ST tappers employed in the unorganized sectors under the housing and sanitary assistance scheme.
• Cash assistance of Rs. 35.75 lakh was disbursed to 1507 beneficiaries under Rubber Plantation Development Scheme. A total amount of Rs. 11.84 lakh was disbursed to 460 beneficiaries as reimbursement of cost for high yielding planting material.
• Assistance of Rs 4.98 lakh was provided to 349 beneficiaries for boundary protection fencing material for rubber plantation.
• 466 persons were given free training in rubber cultivation, tapping, processing and manufacturing.
• 466 persons were given free training in rubber cultivation, tapping, processing and manufacturing.
• Total area of 14.79 hectares was planted for the benefit of tribal communities in traditional area.

Projects and Equipment Corporation (PEC) Limited

• There is a welfare scheme in PEC under which merit scholarship is given to the wards of the employees securing certain percentage of marks in the annual examination. In case of the wards of SC/ST employees, the merit scholarship is given with relaxed standard.
• There exists a Time Scale Promotion Scheme for staff cadre. Qualifying period for promotion for employees belonging to SC & ST categories is relaxed by one year in each stage of promotion.

State Trading Corporation (STC) of India Limited

• One-year relaxation is given to SC/ST employees in the qualifying period of service at each stage of promotion under the Time Bound Promotion Policy in the unionized cadres.
• A relaxation of 5 per cent in marks is allowed to the wards of SC/ST employees while considering the grant of merit scholarship.
• Reservation for SC/ST employees is kept in allotment of residential apartments maintained by the Corporation at New Delhi.
• Nomination of SC/ST employees to various training programmes (including awareness programmes) held both in-house and outside.

India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO)

In every Departmental Promotion/Selection Committee meeting, an officer of the appropriate level belonging to SC/ST category is being associated to look after the interest of SCs/STs.

Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

Training programmes are conducted for SC/ST personnels in India and abroad.

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)

During the year 2006-07 all the three faculty members belonging to OBC category were nominated to participate in seminars/workshops to upgrade their knowledge. Three SC/ST employees on administrative side were also nominated to attend English/Hindi shorthand classes as also training programmes organized by DOPT.

Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) of India Limited

Housing loan, residential accommodation and financial assistance for higher studies are provided to SC/ST/OBC employees.

Minerals & Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC) Limited

• Training in various functional areas of work was imparted to 1226 employees out of whom 240 employees belonged to SC/ST categories. In-house training programme was organized on "Reservation for SC/ST/OBC Categories in Employment" for the benefit of Liaison Officers, SC/ST Cell members, Office Bearers of the SC/ST Associations with the help of external faculty.
• Under the MMTC Employees' Welfare Scheme, a relaxation of 5 per cent in marks is allowed to the wards of SC/ST employees while considering grant of merit scholarships. There is a provision for reservation in the allotment of residential quarters to SC/ST employees.

Welfare of Women

Women Cell

An independent `Women Cell' has been set up in 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.
• Review of Plan schemes and other 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.

The Women Cell actively participated in the various workshops / seminars on gender issues organized by National Commission for Women etc. During the year 2006, no complaint of sexual harassment at work place was received.

Women in Public Sector (WIPS)

The Women in Public Sector (WIPS) activities within the MMTC aim at networking, experience sharing, interacting with various organisations and other PSUs and women bodies like National Commission, Women and Child Development Ministry, ILO, DPE, NGOs and other such institutes etc. seeking to enhance women's role at the workplace. Women employees from different organizations participate in the regional meet and national meet for discussons on the various developments. Committee headed by a senior female officer of the rank of CGM duly assisted by two other senior female officers of GM and DGM level is in force at Corporate Office to handle grievances and cases of sexual harassment of women at work. Similar committees are functioning at various Regional Offices also.