What happened: merger of two Dr. Ambedkar schemes into one law-linked Centrally Sponsored scheme (from 31 March 2023)

The Central Government told the Rajya Sabha that two schemes connected to Dr. Ambedkar were merged into a Centrally Sponsored scheme linked to civil rights and atrocity law implementation, effective from 31 March 2023. The merger covers both: the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages, and the Dr. Ambedkar National Relief to the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Victims of Atrocities Scheme.

The Ministry stated the merger was done to avoid duplication in implementation of schemes. The information was provided by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, in a written reply to Shri Raghav Chadha in the Rajya Sabha.

Background and earlier position: how the Centrally Sponsored scheme under the two laws works

The Minister’s reply described the operational structure of the Centrally Sponsored scheme for the implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 as follows:

Central assistance is provided to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.The scheme is implemented by the respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.Effective implementation responsibility rests with the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.

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