Skip to main content

Demand for SC-ST sub-plan law as budgetary allocation "not utilized" for marginalized communities

By A Representative
Congress legislator from Dasada Naushad Solanki, in a letter to Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, has demanded that the state government should come up with a special law to ensure that budget allocation for the scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs) is equal to the proportion of their population in Gujarat — around 7% and 14%.
Pointing out that he has been seeking to have such a law, called SC Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan Act, ever since new BJP government took, Solanki said, another MLA, Dr Anil Joshiara, too have has supported his move.
The letter, whose copy has also been sent for endorsement of all SC and ST MLAs as also Congress leader of the opposition Paresh Dhanani, says that such a bill should be introduced and supported rising above party affiliations. “In Gujarat, between 2002 and 2018, just about 2% of budgeted amount was used for SCs, while for STs it was 7%”, letter says, wondering what is point in using up huge funds for the statue of Sardar Patel, or the film on Vadnagar, or the propaganda on national good governance.

Comments

TRENDING

Small Farm, big success: How an innovative couple built a model of sustainable farming

By Bharat Dogra  In Sema, a remote village in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district, Bhagwati Lal and his wife Rekha share equal credit for creating a remarkable farm that has become an inspiration for villagers and visitors alike. Their achievement demonstrates how even a very small piece of land can provide a strong foundation for sustainable livelihoods while enhancing climate resilience and protecting the environment.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Shrinking settlements, fading schools: The Tibetan exile crisis in India

By Tseten Lhundup*  Since the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala has established the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as the guardian of Tibetan culture and identity. Once admired for its democratic governance , educational system , and religious vitality , the exile community now faces an alarming demographic and institutional decline.