The Crossbill News Desk
In the current financial year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh is diverting funds originally earmarked for the welfare of scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) under a fully centrally funded sub-plan to develop religious sites, museums, and support cow welfare initiatives.
According to documents reviewed by Hindustan Times and a statement from a state government official, it was reported that although this diversion is notable, individuals from SC and ST communities are expected to benefit from the expenditure. However, state finance minister Jagdish Devda declined to provide any comment on the diversion.
Out of Rs 252 crore allocated for cow welfare (Gau Samvardhan and Pashi Samvardhan), Rs 95.76 crore has been sourced from the SC/ST sub-plan, the reviewed document showed. The cow welfare fund has seen an increase from approximately Rs 90 crore the previous year.
Nearly half of the funds allocated for the current financial year for the redevelopment of six religious sites are sourced from the SC/ST sub-plan. In the budget presented in July, the government announced Rs 109 crore for developing Shri Devi Mahalok in Salkanpur, Sehore, Saint Shri Ravidas Mahalok in Sagar, Shri Ram Raja Mahalok in Orchha, Shri Ramchandra Vanvasi-Mahalok in Chitrakut, and for a memorial of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in Gwalior.
Following Karnataka's decision to utilize Rs 14,000 crore from the SC/ST sub-plan for its welfare scheme, Madhya Pradesh has become the second state to divert funds from this plan for other purposes. However, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes had issued a show cause notice to Karnataka's chief secretary seeking an explanation regarding this action.
The finance department official told the newspaper, “The ST sub-plan was introduced in 1974 and SC sub-plan in 1979-80 to implement provisions of Article 46 of the Constitution that provides for states to care for promotion of education and economic interests of the weaker sections. Under the scheme, the Central provides 100% special assistance to states to fund their SC/ST sub-plans,” HT reported.
The official added, “The use of the amount of SC/ST sub-plan in general sub-plan is an exception. The situation of using it in infrastructure works arises only in special cases and those belonging to SC and ST communities will also get direct/indirect benefit of infrastructure works. Under the budgetary system, there is no prohibition on transferring the SC/ST sub-plan money for general sub-plan as per requirement.”
According to documents reviewed by Hindustan Times and a statement from a state government official, it was reported that although this diversion is notable, individuals from SC and ST communities are expected to benefit from the expenditure. However, state finance minister Jagdish Devda declined to provide any comment on the diversion.
Out of Rs 252 crore allocated for cow welfare (Gau Samvardhan and Pashi Samvardhan), Rs 95.76 crore has been sourced from the SC/ST sub-plan, the reviewed document showed. The cow welfare fund has seen an increase from approximately Rs 90 crore the previous year.
Nearly half of the funds allocated for the current financial year for the redevelopment of six religious sites are sourced from the SC/ST sub-plan. In the budget presented in July, the government announced Rs 109 crore for developing Shri Devi Mahalok in Salkanpur, Sehore, Saint Shri Ravidas Mahalok in Sagar, Shri Ram Raja Mahalok in Orchha, Shri Ramchandra Vanvasi-Mahalok in Chitrakut, and for a memorial of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in Gwalior.
Following Karnataka's decision to utilize Rs 14,000 crore from the SC/ST sub-plan for its welfare scheme, Madhya Pradesh has become the second state to divert funds from this plan for other purposes. However, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes had issued a show cause notice to Karnataka's chief secretary seeking an explanation regarding this action.
The finance department official told the newspaper, “The ST sub-plan was introduced in 1974 and SC sub-plan in 1979-80 to implement provisions of Article 46 of the Constitution that provides for states to care for promotion of education and economic interests of the weaker sections. Under the scheme, the Central provides 100% special assistance to states to fund their SC/ST sub-plans,” HT reported.
The official added, “The use of the amount of SC/ST sub-plan in general sub-plan is an exception. The situation of using it in infrastructure works arises only in special cases and those belonging to SC and ST communities will also get direct/indirect benefit of infrastructure works. Under the budgetary system, there is no prohibition on transferring the SC/ST sub-plan money for general sub-plan as per requirement.”
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