What is the Government’s policy of outreach to the target groups through NGOs? Will NGOs play a more prominent role in coming times?

It is true and there is no doubt about it that the Government Policies cannot be implemented by only the Government officials and employees. For better implementation, reaching the ground level and making most these policies, public contribution is very important. Public contribution can be by means of State Government systems like Panchayats. Municipal Corporations play their role but there are many NGOs that work for particularly this purpose only, which is why they are of great importance. These NGOs have become very significant and their need will further grow in coming future. We do receive many complaints against some NGOs indicating that the purpose these NGOs are set up for is not being fulfilled and the money is being misused. We do keep a check on what they are doing and we ask the State Governments also to keep a tab on their activities. In case of any complaints filed against them we do investigate the matters and take necessary action against them.

The Ministry works to empower the target groups through national institutes and corporations. Please tell us briefly about their role?

Like I said, Ambedkar Foundation and Jagjivan Ram Foundation help in the protection planning of the people of scheduled caste. The NGOs do get associated with these organizations as they get funds as well as lots of work done is carried by their medium. All the steps that we take for the betterment of the scheduled caste are supported by them financially as well as practically. All our national institutes and corporations work similarly like providing vocational training for different businesses and providing them financial support. These institutes also check on economic, educational and social development and try to remove if there are any atrocities happening. All these institutes have different purposes and play different roles in the programs that have been initiated by us. Small steps lead to big changes. These institutes help us to manage the policies that we have for the protection of the scheduled castes.