A three year interim plan for Dalits in the offing
Kathmandu, May 23- The preparation of a three year interim plan and strategy for Dalits of Nepal is underway at the National Planning Commission of Nepal government. Six consultations in Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj, Jumla, Pokhara, Biratnagar and Janakpur undertaken by planner and Dalit intellectual Hira Bishwakarma have been completed in a series. Bishwakarma who is currently in the last stage of preparing a draft, will be carrying out the last consultation with the national Dalit leaders later this month. Bishwakarma requests all concerned to contribute by putting forward suggestions, as to what should be the priority for Nepal government to uplift the Dalits’ situation.
The nepaldalitinfo calls for posting any positive, creative and forward looking suggestions in this website. Any comment related to this National Planning Commission interim plan and strategy can be directly posted below in a comment box, which can be accessed directly by Hira Bishwakarma and other consultants for their use.
– The nepaldalitinfo report
Key Priority Issues of Dalits for Next Three Years (2007/8-2010/11) Interim Plan
Priority 1- Social Inclusion (Human Rights)
Goals: by 2011,
a. Discrimination based on the caste will be eliminated.
b. Inclusion of Dalits in all state mechanism on par with their proportion to the total population will be ensured.
Priority 2- Child Education and Health
Goals: by 2011,
a. All Dalit children below 12 years of age will attend the school.
b. Special emphasis is given on higher secondary and secondary level school participation.
c. Dalit students’ participation in the higher secondary school (9-10 grades) increases from their current share of 5% in total high-school students to at least 12% by 2011.
d. Still 10-20% of Dalit children do not get immunization vaccines of any kind. Thus, by 2011, all Dalit children will have an access to basic health services such as vaccines, vitamin A, iron, and de-worming pill.
Priority 3- Youths/Adults advancement
Goals: by 2011,
a. At least 20% of Dalit youths who graduate with an intermediate degree or twelfth grade are provided with an opportunity to pursue professional degrees (e.g. engineering, science and technology, medicine).
b. Youths with an age of 22 years or above are provided with an access to credit if they desire to operate personal business.
c. Relevant organizations/departments such as “Business Incubation Initiative”, “Department of Small and Medium Business Enterprise” will have at least 15% of their clientele with Dalit youths/adults and will help exploit the knowledge, skills, and resources of Dalit youths/adults.
Priority 4- Women Empowerment
Goals: by 2011,
a. At least 50%, from current 17%, of Dalit women below the age of 49 years will be literate.
b. At least 50% of Dalit women will have an access to the credit market with a minimum or no security deposit.
c. At least 50% (as oppose to current 8%) of Dalit women will have an access to basic reproductive health services.
d. At least 50% of Dalit women (as oppose to current 0%) will be provided with de-worming pills during the time of their pregnancy to minimize the risks of the new born child being underweighted and stunted.
Priority 5- Economic Advancement
Goals: by 2011,
a. Dalits, who have long been deprived of the land, will be provided with an adequate distribution of it through land reform program.
b. Any profit or non-profit organization that employs equal or more than 20% of its employees (in different level) from Dalit community will be provided with special subsidies and/or tax benefits.
c. An effective implementation of Affirmative Action (AA) in hiring and promoting employees will be established in both private and government organizations.
d. Small and micro-enterprise development and management related training/information is regularly disseminated through state media (television and newspaper). Other private media are also encouraged to launch such programs to help develop and motivate entrepreneurship spirit in the country.
e. Appropriate micro-economic policies would be established and implemented to advance skill oriented occupations and to advance Dalit’s business enterprises.