'Funds for Dalits being diverted'
C Shivakumar
Express News ServiceFirst Published : 17 Nov 2010 03:26:44 AM ISTLast
Updated : 17 Nov 2010 09:46:05 AM IST
CHENNAI: The ongoing schemes of the Tamil Nadu government under the
Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) do not have any specific focus on
upgrading the status of the dalits and it should be made meaningful by
introducing innovative schemes, according to sources.
A review of the performance of various departments done by development
commissioner showed that funds were diverted for populist schemes by
violating rules or either shown outside the budget but included in
SCSP.
The official observation comes in the wake of the government providing
cent per cent allocation under the SCSP. The proportion of SC
population is 19 per cent and ST is one per cent as per 2001 census.
According to the minutes of the first review meeting on the allocation
made to SCSP, which was accessed by Express, it was observed that more
than 50 per cent funds were allotted to populist schemes like Dr
Muthulakhsmi Reddy Maternity Welfare Scheme and Kalaignar Life
Insurance scheme which was higher than the 19 per cent funds earmarked
for dalits.
The percentage was determined by bilateral discussion with the head of
the health department and special secretary, finance. In the process,
Government Order 134 issued in October 2006 was violated requiring the
mandate of the secretary, adi-dravidar and tribal welfare.
"The misuse of SCSP funds is due to deliberate attempts of dalit
leadership inside or outside the regime who remain silent spectators
or power brokers. They don't see the concern of the people due to
their vested interest," said Madras Institute of Development Studies
Prof C Lakshmanan. "The government is shedding crocodile tears on
dalit issues while supporting corrupt leaders like former telecom
minister on one hand and neglecting the genuine concerns of dalits on
the other," he added.
Similarly, the review of free LPG connection scheme and interest
subsidy to cooperative societies, found out that the proportionate
flow to SCSP was on the higher side. And interestingly, it was not
supported by expenditure figures of the previous years. "The secretary
should take an appraisal of the SC schemes and then reduce the size of
the flow to the required minimum," it was observed. In the energy
department, which consumed 80 per cent of Plan allocation, a total of
`85.94 crore was shown against the SCSP and no reasons were given on
why the amount shown outside the budget was included in the SCSP.
Moreover, no sub-head neither any government order existed for this
allocation.
While on paper, it seems that huge chunk of funds are allocated for
the betterment of dalits, but in realty nothing has changed as the
grants never percolate to the needy. It is time the government has to
rethink its strategy for uplift of dalits by focusing on education and
health instead of focusing on populist schemes like free colour TVs, a
dalit activist said.
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