Definitions.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) “Department” means, any Government Department concerned with implementation of the Pragathipaddu schemes for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes;

(b) “Gaps in development” means, differences in development indicators of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes when compared to the State averages, as may be prescribed particularly relating to human and economic development;

(c) “General Schemes” means, schemes included in the Annual Pragathipaddu of the Departments which benefit all social groups including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes;

(d) “Government” means, the State Government of Telangana;

(e) “Nodal Agency for SCSDF” means, the committee headed by Minister of Scheduled Castes Development;

(f) “Nodal Agency for STSDF” means, the committee headed by the Minister of Tribal Welfare;

(g) “Nodal Department” means, Scheduled Castes Development Department for Scheduled Castes and Tribal Welfare Department for Scheduled Tribes;

(h) “Notification” means notification published in the Telangana Gazette and the word „Notified‟ shall be construed accordingly;

(i) “Prescribed” means, prescribed by the Government by rules made under the Act;

(j) “Pragathipaddu” means, the total Scheme Expenditure budget of the State as provided in the Appropriation Act;

(k) “State Council” means, State Council for Development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes headed by the Chief Minister constituted under the Act;

(l) “Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes” shall have the meanings assigned to them respectively under clauses (24) and (25) of article 366 of the Constitution of India;

(m) “Scheduled Castes Special Development Fund/ Scheduled Tribes Special Development Fund” means, a portion of the total Pragathipaddu outlays of the State, in a financial year, as earmarked under section 3;

(n) “Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe habitation” means, any habitation where population of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes is not less than 40% of the total population of the habitation respectively;

(o) “Special Development Fund” means, Scheduled Castes Special Development Fund (SCSDF) or Scheduled Tribes Special Development Fund (STSDF) or both;

(p) “Scheduled Areas” means, areas notified under Part C of Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of India;

(q) “Report regarding administration of Scheduled Areas” means, the Report by the Governor to the President of India regarding administration of Scheduled Areas as mentioned in paragraph 3 of Part A of Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of India;

(r) “Telangana Tribes Advisory Council” means, the Tribes Advisory Council established for the State of Telangana as mentioned in paragraph 4 of Part B of Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of India.