Bhubaneswar, Aug 30 (UNI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today said the Bhubaneswar Declaration 2025, adopted at the two-day National Conference of Chairpersons of the Committees on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of Parliament and State/Union Territory Assemblies, will serve as a common agenda for both the Centre and the states.
He said the proposals adopted at the conference will act as a guiding framework for Parliament and State Assemblies, helping to accelerate welfare measures for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Addressing the media after the conclusion of the conference here, Birla said, “The roadmap for the development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will begin from Bhubaneswar.”
The Speaker noted that the conference was being held after 25 years and, for the first time, outside Delhi.
He observed that many schemes have been formulated for SCs and STs, and if implemented effectively, these communities can progress on par with others in society and move forward in harmony.
Birla claimed that nearly 70 to 80 percent of the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Committee have already been accepted and implemented by the government.
He further emphasized the need to review budgetary allocations and strive for 100 percent utilization.
He added that technology and good governance would play a decisive role in the upliftment of marginalized sections.
The two-day national conference, he said, deliberated on various issues concerning deprived sections and gathered valuable feedback from the committees.
“Necessary steps will be taken in the interest of the marginalized people based on the feedback received,” Birla assured.
He underlined that the main objective of the conference was to address the problems of SCs and
STs, ensure the effective implementation of welfare programmes, and accelerate socio-economic development.
The outcomes of the conference, he said, will provide a platform for effective programme implementation, sharing of best practices, and exchange of ideas.
Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, said the committee is committed to the social and economic upliftment of the deprived sections.
He urged collective efforts to extend the benefits of government welfare schemes to SCs and STs.
The two-day conference discussed a wide range of issues, including education, health, livelihood, and socio-economic empowerment.
