Introduction
The Social Justice & Special Assistance Department (SJSA) of Government of Maharashtra is engaged in various initiatives to ensure the equal opportunity and social justice to the under privileged class of people such as scheduled caste, old, aged persons etc. by providing them equal opportunities in the fields of education, economy, and social security. The SJSA department also implements various welfare schemes for upliftment of Scheduled Castes (SC) Population, Old age persons, Transgender Community, and other weaker sections of the society. Department aids in the form Education, Training, Skilling, Employment generation, Housing, Social assistance etc.
Formation of Social welfare Directorate
- November 5,1928 :- Start commission was formed vide Government Resolution dated 5th November 1928.
- 1930 :- Total 10 member were included in this committee. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was also a member of this committee. The committee submitted its report to the Government in the year 1930.
- 1932 :- In the year 1932 backward class welfare department was created for the welfare of backward classes. Mr. O. H. B. Start, I.C.S. was the first Director of this department.
- 1947 :- In the year 1947 the office of Director, backward class welfare, was shifted to Pune from Mumbai
- August 9, 1947 :- The cornerstone of the building of Directorate office was fixed by Hon. Shri. Ganapati Devaji Tapse , Hon. Minister, Industries, Fishery and Social Welfare on 9th August,1947.
- September 23, 1957 :- Social Welfare Directorate was created by amalgamating the office of Chief Inspector Certification school and director backward class welfare vide Government Resolution dated 23rd September,1957
- March 1972 :- In March 1972 Social welfare Department in Mantralaya was created.
- 1983 :- In 1983 it renamed as Social welfare, Culture affairs, and Sports and Tourism department.
- April 1993 :- In April 1993 tourism subject was transfer to home department
- March 1999 :- Department of Welfare of Denoted Tribes ,Nomadic Tribes, Other backward class was created in 1999.
- February 2001 :- In February 2001 Social welfare, Culture Affairs and Sports Department was renamed as Social Justice, Culture Affairs and Sports Department. After that it was renamed as Social Justice and Special Assistance Department.
- 1932 :- Formation of Backward Class Welfare Department.
- 1957 :- Formation of Social Welfare Directorate in Pune.
- 1978 :- Mahatma Phule Backward Class Development Corporation was established.
- 1982 :- Separation of Tribal development department.
- 1985 :- Sant Rohidas Leather Industries & Charmakar Development Corporation Ltd (LIDCOM) was established.
- 1985 :- Sahityaratna Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathe Development Corporation, Mumbai was established.
- 1991 :- Separation of Women and Child Development Department.
- 2000 :- Establishment of Persons with Disability Commissionerate.
- 2001 :- Establishment of Secretariat for VJ, NT, OBC and SBC.
- 2008 :- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Reaserch and Training Institute (BARTI) was established.
- 2017 :- Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department was separated from Social Justice and Special Assistance Department.
- 2019 :- Loknete Gopinath Mundhe Sugarcane Workers Welfare Corporation was established.
- 2021 :- Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy & Infrastructure Technology Limited was established.
- 2022 :- Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) Welfare Department was separated from Social Justice and Special Assistance Department.
- 2024 :- Anna Bhau Sathe Research and Training Institute (ARTI) was established.
- 2024 :- Senior Citizen Corporation was established.
- 2024 :- Hindu Khatik Samaj Arthik Vikas Corporation was established (Under Mahatma Phule Backward Class Development Corporation)
- 2024 :- Holar Samaj Arthik Vikas Corporation was established (Under Sant Rohidas Leather Industries & Charmakar Development Corporation Ltd)