Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the National Conference of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) Welfare Committees in Bhubaneswar on Friday, marking a significant step toward strengthening constitutional safeguards and socio-economic development for India’s marginalized communities. The two-day event, themed “Role of Parliamentary and Legislature Committees on Welfare, Development, and Empowerment of SCs and STs,” brought together over 200 delegates, including chairpersons and members from Parliament and 19 state/UT legislatures.

Held at the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the conference was attended by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, and Parliamentary Committee on SC/ST Welfare Chairperson Faggan Singh Kulaste. Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy emphasized the event’s focus on sharing best practices to uplift SCs and STs, who constitute 16.6% and 8.6% of India’s population, respectively, as per the 2011 Census. Discussions aim to address persistent challenges like educational disparities, economic exclusion, and social discrimination.

Birla, posting on X, expressed delight at arriving in Bhubaneswar and meeting Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati to discuss welfare initiatives. The conference will feature sessions on implementing reservation policies, enhancing skill development, and ensuring equitable access to government schemes like PM Awas Yojana and Ujjwala, which have disbursed Rs 1.2 lakh crore for SC/ST housing and LPG connections since 2014. Recent data highlights Odisha’s progress, with 12.4 lakh SC/ST students benefiting from scholarships in 2024-25.

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The event underscores Odisha’s cultural significance as a tribal hub, with 22.85% of its population belonging to STs. Majhi, the state’s first tribal CM, reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, citing initiatives like the Subhadra Yojana, providing Rs 50,000 to women, including SC/ST beneficiaries. As delegates deliberate, the conference aims to shape policies ensuring justice and empowerment for India’s 30 crore SC/ST citizens.

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