Om Birla Calls for State SC/ST Committees

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stressed Centre–State coordination for SC/ST empowerment.
• Urged every State Assembly to set up dedicated SC/ST welfare committees.
• Said committee recommendations should guide policy, not be seen as criticism.
• Education and technology highlighted as future empowerment drivers.

GG News Bureau
Bhubaneswar, 30th Aug: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday emphasized the need for stronger coordination between the Centre and States to ensure the effective implementation of welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of Chairpersons of Committees of Parliament and State Legislatures on the Welfare of SCs and STs in Bhubaneswar, Birla said that only through such synergy can the real benefits of development reach the most disadvantaged citizens.

He called upon every State Assembly to constitute dedicated Committees on the Welfare of SCs and STs, similar to those functioning in Parliament, to provide focused attention on the issues faced by these communities. “Committees should be seen as constructive guides for policy correction, not as critics,” he underlined.

Birla further stressed that education and technology are the key drivers of empowerment for SC/ST youth and should be harnessed to enable greater inclusion. Highlighting the adoption of reforms in rights, welfare schemes, and budgetary provisions for disadvantaged groups, he said that “Bhubaneswar Agenda 2025” would serve as a roadmap for building an equitable and inclusive society by 2047, in line with Babasaheb Ambedkar’s vision.

The Speaker added that committees play a crucial role in scrutinizing government policies, monitoring their implementation, and recommending improvements, thereby ensuring transparency, accountability, and empowerment.

The conference was also addressed by Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on SC/ST Welfare Faggan Singh Kulaste, and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.