Call for new schemes to uplift Dalits, Adivasis

Hyderabad: A workshop on SCSP/TSP titled "Review of schemes under SCSP/TSP (Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan) and discussion for new schemes' was conducted by Centre for Dalit Studies on Friday. Representatives of Dalit groups, activists, NGOs and other members from the civil society participated in it. Former Chief Secretary in his key-note address stressed the need for review of all old schemes and urged the government to come out with new schemes to uplift the Dalit and Adivasi communities after the Act was passed on SC/ST Sub-Plans. He said that though the funds allocation had gone up in the current budget for SCSP/TSP, many new schemes needed to be developed based on the needs of these communities. The funds should not be given to general schemes like ArogyaSri which would defeat the very spirit and purpose of the Act, he added. Gopala Rao, IAS (Retd), said that the funds meant for Dalits and Adivasis should be spent only for their welfare. He also said that the details of SCSP/TSP should be taken to the public for better understanding and to ensure the fruits of it reach the people at gross-roots level. Mallepalli Laxmaiah, the founder-chairman of Centre for Dalit Studies, explained the objectives of the SC/ST Sub- Plans and attributed the recent victory on the Act to the struggle of people, groups, retired bureaucrats and mass organisations. He also said that the government had not yet come forward to frame the rules to the Act as per the promise of the government. Even till today, the government had not appointed the non-official members to the State Development Council on SC/ST Sub-Plans, he deplored. Korivi Vinay Kumar and Madanmohan Rao of Andhra Pradesh Academy of Rural Development (APARD) also participated in the discussions. The members of the civil society actively participated in the discussions on the subject and suggested new schemes which would benefit the communities directly. M Anjaneyulu, director of Centre for Dalit Studies, presided over the meeting.