Bhubaneswar, Odisha : The National Conference of Chairpersons and Members of Parliamentary and State Legislative Assembly Committees on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) will be held in Bhubaneswar on August 29 and 30, 2025. This two-day historic event will be inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at the Convention Centre of Lok Seva Bhawan.
Announcing the event, Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhi informed that this is the first such national-level conference being hosted in Odisha after several decades, reflecting the special emphasis Parliament places on states with large SC and ST populations.
During the two-day deliberations, participants will exchange views on parliamentary traditions, welfare policies, socio-economic upliftment, and empowerment of SC/ST communities across different states and union territories. A special exhibition will also showcase Odisha’s rich tribal culture, attire, handicrafts, skills, and traditions.
The program will include cultural presentations on Odisha’s heritage, dance, music, and fine arts, along with visits for dignitaries to Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Konark Sun Temple, and the Tribal Museum.
Key dignitaries addressing the conference include Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, and SC/ST Welfare Committee Chairperson Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste.
The conference will specifically focus on the theme:
“The Role of Parliamentary and Legislative Committees in the Welfare, Development, and Empowerment of SCs and STs.”
On August 30, the valedictory session will be addressed by Odisha Governor Prof. Raghubar Das, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and senior ministers from both Centre and State.
This is also the first time such a national SC/ST conference is being held outside New Delhi, marking a milestone in recognizing Odisha’s contribution and commitment to the welfare of marginalized communities.
Since its inception in 1976 in New Delhi, the SC/ST Welfare Committee Conference has been organized only a handful of times—in 1979, 1983, 1987, and 2001—discussing constitutional safeguards, welfare measures, and social justice initiatives. The 2025 edition in Odisha is expected to set new directions for achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047 through inclusive policies.
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