From: P.Esakkimuthu <ttnuef@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 5:19 PM
Subject: [untouchabilityeradicationfront] 'Funds for Dalits being diverted'
To: untouchabilityeradicationfront@yahoogroups.com
`Funds for Dalits being diverted'
C Shivakumar Express News ServiceFirst Published : 17 Nov 2010 03:26:44 AM ISTLast Updated : 17 Nov 2010 09:46:05 AM IST
CHENNAI: The ongoing schemes of the Tamil Nadu government under the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) do 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 the performance of various departments done by development commissioner showed that funds were diverted for populist schemes by violating rules or either shown outside the budget but included in SCSP.
The official observation comes in the wake of the government providing cent per cent allocation under the SCSP. 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 was higher than the 19 per cent funds earmarked for dalits.
The percentage was determined by bilateral discussion with the head of the health department and special secretary, finance. In the process, Government Order 134 issued in 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 Prof C Lakshmanan. "The government is shedding crocodile tears on dalit issues while supporting corrupt leaders like former telecom minister on one hand and neglecting the genuine concerns of dalits on the other," he added.
Similarly, the review of free LPG connection scheme and interest subsidy to cooperative societies, found out that the proportionate flow to SCSP was on the higher side. And interestingly, it was 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 consumed 80 per cent of Plan allocation, a total of `85.94 crore was shown against the SCSP and no reasons were given on why the amount shown outside the budget was included in the SCSP. Moreover, no sub-head neither any government order existed for this allocation.
While on paper, it seems that huge chunk of funds are allocated for the betterment of dalits, 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.
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