TN’s schemes lack focus on improving plight of dalits

Chennai:

The ongoing schemes by Tamil Nadu government under the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) does 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 various departments done by development commissioner found that funds were diverted for populist schemes by violating rules or either shown outside the budget but included in SCSP.



Interestingly, the official observation comes in the wake of state government providing 100 per cent allocation under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan. 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 is higher than the 19 per cent funds earmarked for dalits.



Surprisingly, the percentage was determined by bilateral discussion with head of the health department and special secretary finance. In the process, Government Order 134 issued on 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 professor Prof C Lakshmanan.



“The government is shedding crocodile tears on dalit issues while supporting corrupt dalit leaders like former telecom minister on one end and neglecting the genuine concerns of the dalits on the other hand,” he added.



Similarly, the review of LPG connection scheme and interest subsidy to cooperative societies, found out that the proportionate flow to SCSP was on the high side. And interestingly, it is 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 consumes 80 per cent of plan allocation, a total of Rs 85.94 crore was shown against SCSP and no reasons were given on why the amount shown outside the budget was included in SCSP. Moreover, no sub-head neither any government order exist for this allocation.



While on paper, it seems that huge chunk of funds are allocated for the betterment of dalits in the state 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