Because the Department of Social Welfare and SC/ST faces an acute shortage of officers and staff, officials said on Tuesday, new Delhi, Implementation of several welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes and Tribes in Delhi has been delayed.
PTI SHB ASD The letter sought priority in filling vacant positions, preferably within 15 days, through transfers, postings or other suitable administrative arrangements. 13 of the 25 sanctioned posts across six categories were vacant, while 12 were filled, according to the vacancy details provided in the letter.
Because of administrative constraints, he said the department is also struggling to revise existing welfare schemes as planned. Because of the staff shortage, he said files and proposals that would ordinarily take about a month to process were taking nearly three months.
An official said the shortage has affected several initiatives, including SC/ST schemes, scholarships, and the operationalisation of two hostels. He said the department also sent a letter to the Service Department in July, highlighting the shortage of officers and staff, saying it was adversely affecting welfare programmes and the operational readiness of the Nehru Boys Hostel and Kamla Nehru Girls Hostel. The official said the Minister for Welfare of SC/ST/OBC had directed that both hostels be made fully operational during the current year, making timely filling of vacant posts important to meet the target.
