Tahdco Welfare Schemes In Virudhunagar District: Its Activities And Impact On Empowerment Process Of Depressed Class People – A Study

Abstract

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are the two groups which always become various socio-economic victims like discrimination, disabilities, untouchable practice, treatment of impure and polluted community, inequality etc. In the post independent period, Government of India is taking various efforts to uplift these weaker sections by providing Special Central Assistance (SCA) and designed Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) as an umbrella strategy. In Tamil Nadu, SCSP and TSP are implemented through TAHDCO. The schemes of TAHDCO are designed for financial assistance to individual and Self-help Groups with combination of subsidy and Commercial Bank loans. The Commercial Banks play a vital role in providing financial assistance jointly with Tamil Nadu Adi Diravidar Housing and Development Corporation Ltd (TAHDCO) for the socio-economic development of depressed class in Virudhunagar.  TAHDCO is an exclusive agency for the upliftment of depressed class, it was incorporated in 1974 for the purpose of improving socioeconomic development of SC/ST through implementing welfare schemes regarding financial assistance for income generating activities, skill development training and financial assistance for competitive exams and construction activities etc. Since 1981, TAHDCO has been implementing and formulating need based socio-economic development schemes for the benefit of SC/ST and brings them better standard of living from below poverty line. At present, TAHDCO offers various schemes such as Land Purchase and Development Schemes, Economic Assistance to Individuals and Self Help Groups, Self Employment Programme for Youths etc.