GANDHINAGAR: While movements and counter-movements have risen over scheduled caste and scheduled tribe reservations, the Gujarat government is set to enact a legislation by which sub-plan expenditure of government funds on scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs) will have to be based on their their share in the population. Thus an estimated Rs 10,000 crore will be available for welfare SCs and STs, if such legislation is implemented.
For several years, it has been observed that funds meant for the welfare of SCs and STs have been diverted to other departments. The move for the new legislation has great political significance, given reservations issue.
According to a constitutional mandate, every state and the Union government must make its minimum allocation of funds for SCs and STs in proportion to their population in that respective state.
Governments can allocate greater budgetary spending but cannot spend less than the proportion of SCs/STs in the general population on schemes for their welfare.
The central policy think-tank Niti Aayog also directed states to follow this constitutional provision in budget allocation.
However, the Gujarat government, has not been following this and has been allocating smaller budgets under the SC/ST sub plans, a clear violation of constitutional provisions.
According to the 2011 census, the SCs make up 7.09% and STs 14.75% of the state's population. For many years straight, the Gujarat government has been allocating smaller budgets than mandatory for SC/ST welfare. The maximum allocation made by the state government so far under the SC sub-plan has been 4.98%, while the maximum allocation made so far under any ST sub-plan has been 13.7% of the total budgetary allocation.
A top government official confirmed that the state government plans to introduce legislation to ensure that budget allocation under the SC/ST sub plans are in proportion to their population. "With this decision, spending on the welfare of SCs/STs will grow substantially. Around Rs 10,000 crore will directly go to these communities if such legislation comes into force," the official said.
The official admitted that as of now, apart from the tribal development and social justice and empowerment departments, other departments spend paltry amounts of their allocation on the welfare of members of SCs and STs. Also, funds of the social justice and tribal development departments are also being used for activities other than welfare of members of these deprived sections. "If funds are strictly spent according to SC/ST sub-plans, it will benefit these sections more efficiently," the official said.
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have enacted special laws to ensure proper SC/ST sub-plan expenditure.
For several years, it has been observed that funds meant for the welfare of SCs and STs have been diverted to other departments. The move for the new legislation has great political significance, given reservations issue.
According to a constitutional mandate, every state and the Union government must make its minimum allocation of funds for SCs and STs in proportion to their population in that respective state.
Governments can allocate greater budgetary spending but cannot spend less than the proportion of SCs/STs in the general population on schemes for their welfare.
The central policy think-tank Niti Aayog also directed states to follow this constitutional provision in budget allocation.
However, the Gujarat government, has not been following this and has been allocating smaller budgets under the SC/ST sub plans, a clear violation of constitutional provisions.
According to the 2011 census, the SCs make up 7.09% and STs 14.75% of the state's population. For many years straight, the Gujarat government has been allocating smaller budgets than mandatory for SC/ST welfare. The maximum allocation made by the state government so far under the SC sub-plan has been 4.98%, while the maximum allocation made so far under any ST sub-plan has been 13.7% of the total budgetary allocation.
A top government official confirmed that the state government plans to introduce legislation to ensure that budget allocation under the SC/ST sub plans are in proportion to their population. "With this decision, spending on the welfare of SCs/STs will grow substantially. Around Rs 10,000 crore will directly go to these communities if such legislation comes into force," the official said.
The official admitted that as of now, apart from the tribal development and social justice and empowerment departments, other departments spend paltry amounts of their allocation on the welfare of members of SCs and STs. Also, funds of the social justice and tribal development departments are also being used for activities other than welfare of members of these deprived sections. "If funds are strictly spent according to SC/ST sub-plans, it will benefit these sections more efficiently," the official said.
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have enacted special laws to ensure proper SC/ST sub-plan expenditure.
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