• During 22-23 August 2022, SW-TN, PAALAM along with Co-organizers AKAM and Action Aid organized the 8th Civil Society Consultation for Scheduled Castes (SC) at Dhyana Ashram. The members from various Organizations, Political Parties and Government Offices actively participated and highlighted the needs and concerns of SC community. (There were totally 85 participants; amongst them 26 were women and 59 were men.) Click here for detailed report - English./ Tamil.

• On 13^th August 2022, SWTN along with PAALAM and MMT convened a Virtual Discussion on SC/ST Admissions in MBBS. Key points of discussion were:

1. Is it 19% overall?
2. How to monitor every year?
3. Post Matric Scholarship Data 2021-22
4. Is the amount of PMS sufficient to cover full fee charged by institutions

 

• On 28^th March 2022, Social Watch Tamilnadu & Good Shepherd Health Education Centre jointly organized a State Level consultation on “Schemes for SC / ST women” at Chennai. Expertise in the field of entrepreneurship development, resource identification and mobilization, post metric scholarships and scope for overseas education were assigned to handle the sessions to give both inputs and share hands on experiences. [34 women and 6 men participants]

 

• On 25^th February 2022, Social Watch- Tamilnadu and Action Aid Association Organised an online Discussion on “Securing Rights of Scheduled Caste”; Ms. Kamatchi, Senior Researcher – Social Watch- TN presented a session on ‘Budgetary Rights of Scheduled Caste Women’, Mr.Navaneetha Sivakumar, Founder & Chairman of Confederation of Affirmative Industries made an elaborate presentation on “Entrepreneurship Schemes in Central & State Government for SCs”.  Dr. Chirstodas Gandhi, IAS (Rtd) Consultant of SWTN &, PAALAM, conducted the interactive session on SC Entitlements. Then, Mr. G. Chandramohan, State Convener, Ambedkar Kalvi Centenary Movement, shared the Presentation on Post Martic Scholarship for SCs and finally Fr. John Kumar, Director of SWTN  made a presentation on ‘Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP)’. [20 Men & 30 Women participants]

 

• On 16^th February 2022, Ms. Rajeshwari and Ms. SriLakshmi researchers of SWTN participated the Online Orientation meeting for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe -  Tamil Nadu State Consultation on UN Human Rights Mechanism with special focus on UPR & Special procedures; Organised by Mr. Murugappan Ramasamy. The Programmes was coordinated by Ms. Semmalar, Social work Department- Loyola College, Mr. Henri Tiphangne of People’s Watch – Tamilnadu gave a brief on Universal Periodical Review, Dr. Krishnan spoke about Rights of Tribes, Mr. Parthasarathy discussed the Rights of dropout Dalit girls, Mr. Dayalan, Director of Human Rights Commission discussed the Disaster Impact and How Dalit people overcome and finally Ms. Jency & Mr. Karuppusamy Director discussed about the Child and Education Rights.

 

• On 15th February 2022, SW-TN and PAALAM jointly organized an Online “Focus Group Discussion on Schemes for Entrepreneurship” for Aadiyar Scheduled Caste; to improve their socio-economic conditions. Dr. Christodas Gandhi IAS (Rtd) presented the information about Tribal Welfare schemes and their Economic Development Programmes. (12 Men & 3 Women participants)

 

• On 11th June 2022, SWTN along with PAALAM-AKAM and Institute of Dialogue with Cultures and Religions (IDCR); organized a "Civil Society Dialogue on Evolving State Education Policy" at IDCR - Loyola College, Chennai. 

 

• On 28^th November 2021, SWTN along with network partners associated with Mr. Christudas Gandhi IAS (Retd Additional Chief Secretary) – had an gathering meet with TN  SC/ST Commission Members.

• On 7th November 2021, SWTN and AHAL Centre jointly organized a Youth Empowerment Seminar to the college going Youth of Thiruvannamalai and Villupuram  Districts at AHAL Centre, Kilpennathur to guide the college going youth to avail Government and Private Scholarship; to help with Carrier Guidance Opportunitie; to enlighten them to prepare for competitive exams.

• On 13^th October 2021, SW-TN forwarded a requisition letter to Dr.JeyaRanjan, Vice Chairperson, State Development Planning Council (erstwhile State Planning Commission-SPC) and Mr. Deenbandhu IAS (Retd), Member, SPC through Mr. Christudos Gandhi IAS (Retd Additional Chief Secretary, GoTN); and Consultant of SW-TN with following requests:

  1. To Organize Collaborative Consultation along with SW-TN on Scheduled Caste Sub Plan, Tribal Sub Plan and Gender Budgeting. SW-TN volunteered to bear the complete expenditure of the consultation. But we wanted the invite to go through SPC to all concerned departments. We should create a pressure across departments to allocate and implement proper utilization of SCSP and TSP Funds.
  2. Discussed Issues on Post Matric Scholarship
  3. Suggested to Evaluate any two departments on Implementation of SCSP/ TSP schemes
  4. Insisted the utilization of SCSP/ TSP fund in Highway Department for laying good roads in SC, ST habitation
  5. Recommended to increase the State Specific Schemes for SCs and STs in Department of Agriculture.
  6. Raised the concern on Reduced Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 3% of SC Students (from 42% to 39%)
  7. Emphasized to expand the Budget Making Team – To present a Budget without Fiscal Deficit
  8. Recommended a process, where the State can avail loan only after being tabled in Legislative Assembly for gaining consensus.

• On 7th August 2021, SWTN network through Christudas Gandhi IAS (Retd) – ‘Confederation of Indian Affirmative Industries (CIAI)’ members gave representations on innovative schemes and implementation of Public Procurement Policy in this year’s budget to Dr. Manivasan. IAS Principal Secretary, Department of Adi Dravidar Tribal Welfare, Government of Tamilnadu.

• Due to our consistent research and advocacy along with PAALAM on Post Matric Scholarship, our network partners have shared their report on SC,ST Engineering Admissions Drop by 50% in TN to 'The Hindu' Newspaper, dated 13th July 2021

• On 5^th July 2021, Mr. Sindhanai Selvan, Honouarble Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) visited our office to discuss about Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Scheduled Tribe Sub Plan with Fr.John Kumar and Mr. Christudas Gandhi IAS (Retd).

• On 19^th June 2021 (Evening), SWTN along with Christudas Gandhi IAS (Retd Additional Chief Secretary) organized an Online Discussion on “SC/ST Issues at Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE)”.

• On 19^th June 2021 (Forenoon), SWTN along with Christudas Gandhi IAS (Retd Additional Chief Secretary) organized an Online Discussion on “SC/ST Issues at Agricultural University”.

• On 5^th and 12^th June 2021, SWTN hosted a Online Discussion along with Christudas Gandhi IAS (Retd Additional Chief Secretary) and Prof.Dr.Chandrasekaran; To prepare a Memorandum of Representation on SC Issues in Agricultural University.

• On 30th May 2021, SWTN hosted the zoom meeting along with Christudas Gandhi for Revenue SC/ST Representatives - to Prepare a Representation on our Demands to the new Government.

• On 18th May 2021, SWTN along with Christudas Gandhi IAS (Retd) organized a Virtual Discussion in "TRIBAL TEACHER ISSUES".

• On 25th February 2021, Fr.Kumar along with Dalit Collective for Justice (DCJ), Tamilnadu National Dalit Movement for Justice (NDMJ-NCDHR), New Delhi; released “Dalit and Adivasis Election Manifesto 2021 - Tamilnadu” and ‘SCP/TSP model Draft Bill’ at Chennai Press Club. We have submitted the Manifesto to the following Political Party Leaders:

  1. Hon'ble Member of Parliament, VCK President Dr.Thol. Thirumavalavan,
  2. Hon'ble Member of Parliament and Treasurer of DMK T.R.Balu;
  3. Tamil Nadu state President of CPI Mr.Mutharasan and
  4. Environment Activist Mr.Udayakumar.

• During 2020-2021, Social Watch - Tamilnadu along with PAALAM, published four dossiers on 

1. Arasiyal Katchikalin Paarvaiku Pattiyal Enathavarin Korikkaigal 2020-21

2. Analysis of SCSP, TSP 2020-21

3. Puthiya Aatchi Amaikkapattapin - Pattiyal Enathavarkaga, Tamizhaga Arasidam Alikkapatta Korikkaigalin Thoguppu (2021)

4. A Critical Analysis of GOI Schemes for SC- DAPSC - 2021-22

• During December 2020, Social Watch - Tamilnadu along with PAALAM, published a compilation on UNDISCLOSED FACTS of SC/ST  and circulated amongst Thousand Stakeholders.
• On 29th August 2020, Social Watch - Tamilnadu organized an online Planning Meeting to form a federation for SC/ST Panchayat Presidents in Tamilnadu; Co- Organized by Social Awareness Society for Youth – SASY, human Resource Development Forum – HRDF, National Adivasis Solidarity Council – NASC, National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights–NCDHR
• Social Watch - Tamilnadu along with PAALAM and Human Rights Advocacy and Research Foundation (HRF) organized a Consultation with Elected Panchayat (SC/ST) Presidents to make Panchayats as Autonomous Institutions  on 28th February 2020 at AICUF, Chennai
• 'Social Watch – Tamilnadu' along with PAALAM, HRDF, AKAM organized a State Level Consultation on Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) on 11th January 2019 at Asha Nivas, Chennai
• ‘Social Watch – Tamilnadu’ along with PAALAM, Indian Social Institute and Siddhartha Trust organized “South Indian Conclave on SCP and TSP” at  Bangalore during 18-19 May 2018 and  at Puducherry during 7-8 January 2018. (Click here to view key points of discussion)
• Social Watch – Tamilnadu raised concrete questions and issues to the Chair Person, National Commission for Scheduled Caste during the meeting with Scheduled Caste Representatives, Associations and Civil Society organizations on 8th July 2015  to review the Status of SCs in Tamilnadu.
• Fr. Manu and Fr. Kumar have presented articles on SCP in CBGA BUDGET TRACK Volume 9, Track 1-2, July 2013
• Fr. Manu, Advisor-cum-Mentor of Social Watch-Tamilnadu presented, at the recent Research Seminar on "Caste out of Development", a paper on  SPECIAL COMPONENT PLAN IN TAMILNADU - A NEW DALIT DISCOURSE IN THE MAKING?
• The advocacy efforts regarding the implementation of Special Component Plan at the Central and State levels got a major boost recently, when the National Advisory Council, headed by Ms. Sonia Gandhi, President of Congress Party, came up with strong recommendations to the Central Government on proper implementation of SCP. For more details, refer Recommendations on Reforming Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) / Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)