Chapter V INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

(1) As soon as may be, after the commencement of this Act, the Government shall, by notification, constitute a Council under the Chief Minister, to be known as the State Council for Development of Backward Classes to exercise the powers conferred and to perform the functions assigned to it under the Act and the rules made thereunder. (2) The State council shall meet at least twice in a year.

The State Council shall:- (a) Advise the State Government on all the policy matters relating to Backward Classes Sub-Pan; (b) Suggest measures for proper planning and implementation of the schemes by the departments; (c) Approve the Annual Backward Classes Sub-Plan proposals of the Departments; (d) Perform such other functions as may be prescribed.

(1) Nodal Agencies headed by Minister of Backward Classes Welfare, shall be constituted in the manner prescribed, for Backward Classes Sub-Plan and shall exercise the powers conferred and perform the functions assigned under this Act. (2) The Backward Classes Welfare Department shall act as Nodal Department for assisting the respective Nodal Agency to perform its functions and exercise its powers.

The Nodal Agency with the assistance of the Nodal Department shall: (1) Evaluate and appraise Backward Classes Sub-Plan proposed by the departments for ensuring conformity to the provisions of this Act; (2) Prepare State Backward Classes Sub-Plan for placing before the State Council for Development of Backward Classes for consideration and approval; (3) Recommend reallocation of Backward Classes Sub-Plan funds from a department to other department; (4) Review the implementation and monitoring of the Backward Classes Sub-Plan programme; (5) Identify impediments and suggest measures for overcoming the impediments; (6) Co-ordinate with the departments for preparation of State Level and district level Backward Classes Sub-Plan; (7) Maintain transparency in expenditure; maintain scheme wise; district wise, village wise and beneficiary wise details as may be prescribed; set up a web portal for tracking the progress of the implementation, expenditure, output and outcome indicators as may be prescribed of Backward Classes Sub-Plan; (8) Facilitate at least annual social auditing of expenditure of Backward Classes Sub-Plan funds and facilitate analysis of improvement in Human Development Index against the projections for the State and district: Provided that the directions of the Nodal Agency shall be binding on the Departments.

The Government shall appropriately strengthen the Nodal Departments of Backward Classes Welfare with an Administrative and Technical Support Unit and a Sub-Plan Research Centre as may be prescribed, to perform the functions and discharge the duties assigned to it and to assist the respective Nodal Agency.

The departments as identified by the State Council may establish a Sub-Plan Support Unit, as may be prescribed to manage the Backward Classes Sub-Plan.

(1) The Government shall constitute a District Monitoring Committee in each district with the District Collector as its Chairman, which shall be responsible for implementation of the Backward Classes Sub-Plan in the district. (2) The District Planning Committees of each district shall review the implementation of Backward Classes Sub-Plan, periodically.

The respective departments of Government shall take such measures as may be necessary for institutional strengthening of State District and Sub-District units by providing necessary guidelines staff and training to the staff in the manner prescribed for effective implementation and monitoring.