'SC, ST Sub-Plan meant for all-round development of Dalits and Girijans'

Nizamabad: Government Whip Eravathri Anil has said that former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi had first introduced SC, ST Sub-Plan in Parliament for the social and economical development of Dalits and Girijans across the country. The Government Whip was the chief guest at the `Indiramma Kalalu (dreams)' programme organised at SC Colony of Balkonda mandal headquarters in the district on Sunday. As per the plan introduced by the then Union Government, it was proposed to spend 16 per cent of the total budget allocation to SCs and 6.60 per cent for the welfare of Girijans (tribals). However, due to various reasons, priorities and due to compulsions, some portions of these allocated funds were diverted to other schemes or other emergency works. And many states across the country including AP have been diverting the funds for all these years. Due to mounting pressure from the people of these sections and political parties, the AP Government, led by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, introduced again the SC, ST Sub-Plan and it was decided to utilise the entire allocated funds for the welfare of Dalits and Girijans across the State henceforth, he said. Accordingly, the State Government has allocated Rs 12,000 cr for the Sub-Plan and basic amenities like roads, drinking water supply, provision of sewage lines, grave yards, community halls etc., would be provided in SC, ST colonies, besides pensions to needy persons. He said that 6,000 acres belonging to SCs and STs were developed in the State under Indira Jala Prabha programme. An amount of Rs 3,500 cr was spent under fee reimbursement scheme to the college students of SCs and STs. Likewise, nearly 10 students belonging to these communities were provided with pre-Matriculation scholarships. Eravathri Anil has said that the State Government has planned to provide free power supply up to 50 units per month to the families belonging to SCs and STs. About 90 lakh families belonging to these categories would be benefitted. Under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), Rs 2,500 cr were being paid to SCs, STs annually in the State, he said. District Collector Christina Z Chongthu has said that meetings would be organised in villages to bring awareness among the SC and ST sections about the Plan. The meetings (Grama Sabhas) would be held up to April 30 in the district. The applicants have to submit their applications to avail various benefits, including Indiramma houses and individual toilets, under the scheme, she said. All the eligible persons would be extended the benefits after conducting Grama Sabhas, she added. Joint Collector Harshavardhan, Additional Joint Collector Sriram Reddy, DCCB Chairman Gangadhar Patwari, Social Welfare Department Joint Director Kaleb, Girijan Welfare Officer Pandurangam and RDO Hanmanth Reddy were present at the programme.