Bhubaneswar: For the first time, Bhubaneswar will host a national conference of chairpersons of committees on the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), bringing the event outside New Delhi. The two-day conference, convened by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, will begin on August 29.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate the event, which will focus on the theme “Role of Parliamentary and Legislature Committees on Welfare, Development and Empowerment of SCs and STs.” The programme will also feature the release of a commemorative souvenir and the opening of an exhibition.
This will be the sixth such conference since its inception in 1976, with previous editions held in New Delhi in 1976, 1979, 1983, 1987 and 2001. The forums have historically provided a platform for dialogue on welfare measures and constitutional safeguards for marginalized communities.
The inaugural session will be attended by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, and Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of SCs and STs Chairperson Faggan Singh Kulaste. Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy will deliver the welcome address.
Over 120 delegates, including chairpersons and members of SC/ST welfare committees from Parliament, state and UT legislatures, as well as Odisha ministers and MLAs, are expected to participate.
The conference will conclude on August 30 with a valedictory address by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati.
