Functions of Corporation.- (1) Subject to the provisions of the

Act, it shall be the primary duty of the Corporation to undertake the task of economic uplift of the members of the scheduled castes

2[and the scheduled tribes] in the State.

1. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, such function shall include the power-
   • (i) to plan, promote, undertake, and assist programmes of agricultural development, animal husbandry, marketing,

² Inserted vide H.P. Act No. 8 of 1984.

inserted vide H.P. Act No. 7 of 1987, effective from 12 th February, 1987.

12 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULED TRIBES

DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ACT, 1979

processing, supply and storage of agricultural produce, small scale industries, village industries, cottage industries, and such other trade, business or activity which will enable

1[the members of the scheduled castes or the scheduled tribes] to earn a better living and help them to improve their standard of living as may be approved in this behalf by the Government;

1. (ii) to undertake programmes for setting up employment oriented industries, cottage and small scale industries etc. by providing technical know-how, managerial assistance, financial assistance and any other form of assistance which may be required in achieving the above objectives;
2. (iii) to provide financial assistance to the members of 2[the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes or the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes organizations] by advancing to them loans and/or loan toward margin money for any of the purposes specified above either directly or through such agency, organization or institution as may be approved by the Board;
3. (iv) to guarantee loans taken by the members of 3[the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes or the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes organizations] from any financial/ banking institutions;
4. (v) to act as the agent of the Government of Himachal Pradesh or Central Government for procurement, supply and distribution of agricultural or other produce or other goods as and when required to do so;
5. (vi) to provide facilities for survey, research or study the problems relating to cottage and village industries, small scale business to assess potentiality of village, cottage and small scale industries and scope of their development with a view to promoting such industries and business for the purpose of providing employment for the members of the scheduled castes 4[and the scheduled tribes];
6. (vii) to arrange for publicity and marketing of the finished products manufactured by the 5[the scheduled castes and the of 1984. vide H.P. Act No. 8 of 1984. vide H.P. Act No. 8 of 1984. vide H.P. Act No. 8 of 1984.

¹ Substituted for the words “the member of scheduled castes” vide H.P. Act No. 8

² Substituted for the words “scheduled castes or scheduled castes organizations”

³ Substituted for the words “scheduled castes or scheduled castes organizations”

⁴ Inserted vide H.P. Act No. 8 of 1984.

⁵ Substituted for the words “scheduled castes or scheduled castes organizations”

THE HIMACHAL PRADESH SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULED 13

TRIBES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ACT, 1979

scheduled tribes or the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes organizations] in the small scale industries;

1. (viii) to give grants and subsidies to the members of 1[the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes or the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes organizations] on behalf of the State or Central Government or any other Government institution;
2. (ix) to borrow money subject to such conditions as the Board may specify;
3. (x) to receive gifts, grants and donations.
4. (xi) to issue bonds and debentures;
5. (xii) to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, bills of exchange, hundies, bills, warrants, debentures and other negotiable instruments;
6. (xiii) to invest or deposit surplus funds of the Corporation in Government securities or in such other manner as the Board may decide;
7. (xiv) to enter into contracts; and
8. (xv) to discharge such other functions as may be prescribed or as are supplemental, incidental or consequential to any of the functions conferred on it under this Act. 2[16-A. Conferment of additional functions on the Corporation.-

1. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Governor may, after consultation with the Corporation, entrust either conditionally or unconditionally to the Corporation or its officers additional functions in relation to the social security or social insurance or uplift of the weaker sections of the society in the State.
2. (2) The Governor may, by order in writing and after consultation with the Corporation, confer on the Corporation such powers of supervisory nature over agencies, authorities or officers set up, constituted or appointed by the State Government as are necessary for providing social security or social insurance and uplift of the weaker sections of the society in the State.
3. (3) When any additional functions are conferred on the Corporation under sub-section (1), the Corporation shall exercise the same powers, discharge same duties and perform the same functions, as it would have exercised in discharge of duties and performance of functions assigned to it under section 16 and the provisions of this Act shall apply accordingly. vide H.P. Act No. 8 of 1984.

¹ Substituted for the words “scheduled castes or scheduled castes organizations”

2. Section 16-A inserted vide H.P. Act No. 16 of 1991, effective from 10

th July, 1991.

14 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULED TRIBES

DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ACT, 1979

1. (4) Where by virtue of this section powers and duties had been conferred or imposed upon the Corporation, or officers or authorities thereof, there shall be paid by the State Government to the Corporation such sum as may be agreed in respect of any extra costs of administration incurred by the