Odisha Gears Up to Host National SC/ST Welfare Committees Conference in August

Bhubaneswar: In preparation for the upcoming National Conference of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare Committees, a high-level preparatory meeting was held in Bhubaneswar on Monday under the chairmanship of Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy. The two-day conference is scheduled to take place on August 29 and 30, bringing together chairpersons and members of welfare committees from Parliament, states, and union territories.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker Bhabanishankar Bhoi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Chief Whip Saroj Pradhan, and other dignitaries, who shared key insights to ensure the smooth execution of the national event.

The conference is set to witness participation from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Dr. Harivansh, Members of Parliament, and over 250 delegates representing SC/ST welfare committees across the country.

Expressing her gratitude to the Lok Sabha Speaker for selecting Odisha as the host, Speaker Surama Padhy reaffirmed the state’s commitment to excellence in hospitality and event management, grounded in the ethos of “Atithi Devo Bhava.”

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will inaugurate the conference, while Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati is scheduled to attend the valedictory session. Delegates will also get an opportunity to visit Odisha’s iconic cultural heritage sites, including Puri and Konark, as part of the program.

To oversee preparations, a high-level delegation from the Lok Sabha Secretariat, led by Director Dr. Yamnam Arun Kumar, is currently in Odisha. Senior officials from departments including Commissionerate Police, Home, Finance, Tourism, PWD, Parliamentary Affairs, and Information & Public Relations also participated in the planning meeting.

Odisha Assembly Secretary Satyabrata Rout and other senior officers are coordinating protocol and logistical arrangements to ensure the event’s success. The conference is expected to highlight best practices in SC/ST welfare and foster greater coordination between central and state institutions.