-Galla S Kiran Kumar,Bureau Chief Telagana (Andhra Pradesh)
The goal of SC and ST sub-plan, which was introduced with the intention of giving impetus to SC and STs to advance economically, socially, educationally and in terms of employment, is falling by the wayside under the Vaikapa government.
For SC and ST sub-plan , Vaikapa government wants to divert
funds to other schemes
. Today Digital – Amaravati
The goal of SC and ST sub-plan, which was introduced with the intention of giving impetus to SC and STs to advance economically, socially, educationally and in terms of employment, is falling by the wayside under the Vaikapa government. Although the law says that these funds should be used for their development, the government is trampling on it. The law defeats the primary objective. Sub-plan funds are diverted to universal schemes. If the law is implemented like this, what is the benefit of the law? SCs and STs can change their lives only if the funds are fully utilized for their development. By showing the sub-plan calculations in the budget papers… there will be no benefit if those funds are diverted to Navratna schemes instead of the development of SCs and STs. Although the sub-plan funds were used for other schemes to some extent during the previous governments, the Vaikapa government is diverting most of the funds to general schemes. Dalits, The development of tribal clans was completely sidelined. Although the law says that the sub-plan funds should be allocated in the annual budget in proportion to the SC and ST population, they are being cut. Moreover, many schemes aimed at them have also been implemented. SC and ST communities are expressing concern over this.
A cut of Rs.20 thousand crores in three years
SCs constitute 16.4% of the state’s population. Sub-plan funds should be allocated to that extent in the annual budget. It has been getting cut for the last three years. 11% in 2019-20, 11.9% in 2020-21 and 13.8% in 2021-22. A cut of up to Rs.16 thousand crores was made in these three years. While ST population is 5.3%, 3.7% in 2019-20, 3.9% in 2020-21 and 4.9% in 2021-22 have been allotted. In these three years, Rs. 4 thousand crores have been cut. The SC and ST communities claim that the SC and ST sub-plan funds have been cut to the tune of Rs.20 thousand crores.
Keeping those two rules aside..
The Vaikapa government is implementing the sub-planning act in favor of its own policies without looking at it with particularity. Section 11 (A) and 11 (B) of the Act clearly states that these funds should be spent on 100% Dalit and Adivasi projects that will directly benefit those families, the construction of infrastructure and other development works in the Dalit villages and tribal areas where they live. If it is used in other areas, it is revealed that funds should be allocated according to the SC and ST population there. The previous governments prioritized these two provisions and made allocations. Vaikapa government has completely sidelined them. All funds are allocated considering the provisions of Section 11 (C) and 11 (D) to allocate funds according to the number of Dalits and Adivasis in the schemes applicable to all, and the population of SCs and STs in undertaking infrastructure works.
If there are special schemes, funds should be allocated.
The funds allocated under the SC and ST sub-plan in the budget should be used for infrastructure in the colonies and Tandas where the population is high. Youth should be encouraged to set up industries. Previous governments used 30% of the funds in the name of community development. Vaikapa government is acting differently. It has canceled the schemes that have been running for the advancement of SC and ST for years. The decades-long land acquisition scheme has been lifted. It has scrapped the Best Available Schools scheme, which was meant to promote talented SC and ST students. Self-employment loan schemes offered by central government agencies such as National SC Economic Development Corporation and National Tribal Economic Development Corporation are knee-jerk. SC made the Corporation ineffective. SC and ST youths have not been encouraged for employment.
Sub-plan funds for pensions.
The Vaikapa government has announced that it has spent Rs.49,710 crore since 2019 after assuming power. More than 90 percent of the funds were used for Navratna schemes which are given to all. Finally, sub-plan funds were also used for the assistance given under pensions and gratuities. Jagananna Gorumudda and YSR Sampurna Poshan Schemes have also shown the calculations of eggs and mid-day meals for children. SC and ST intellectuals and community leaders are getting angry on this as a special development.
Why not reveal the details?
For transparency and accountability, the details of how much the sub-plan funds have been spent by which department… and for what they have been used, should be made available to the public. The government has not revealed those details anywhere. The associations are demanding that the details of how much the sub-plan funds have been allocated to which department, what they have been spent on and how much funds have been spent, should be made available to the public.
