CM allocates Rs34k crores for SC-ST plan

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday announced that Rs 34,293.69 crores would be allocated to the Scheduled Castes Sub-Allocation and Tribal-Sub Allocation Plan (SC-ST-TSP), adding that it was some 24 per cent of the size of the Budget.

Under the Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Allocation and Tribal-Sub Allocation (Planning, Allocation and Utilisation of Financial Resources) Act, 2013, it is incumbent upon the State government to allocate funds to the SCs and STs that are consistent with their share in the population.

Siddaramaiah pointed out that the 2013 Act and its 2017 amendment called for robust allocation under the plan.

“Under this, 24.10 per cent (of the Budget) is being allocated to the development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This Act has been framed with the intention that the grants should reach these communities directly. Therefore, officials should work with commitment to implement this programme,” he said.

The CM warned that he would act against officials if they didn’t ensure the disadvantaged groups in question, adding that the size of the Budget is Rs3.28 lakh crores.

On the occasion, Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa praised CM Siddaramaiah for being a “serious student of the constitution,” adding that his commitment to social justice was admirable.

Additional Rs2,349 cr from RDPR Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Priyank Kharge revealed that a further Rs2,349 crores would be allocated to SC-St development from his department.

“Our government is committed to the development of the exploited sections of society. We are going to perform our duties in this regard as per our promise to society,” Kharge said.