Thiruvananthapuram: The state level consulting committee meeting on Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) hosted by RIGHTS at YMCA hall here has asked the government to bring in a legislation on the utilisation of these funds to ensure transparency, responsibility and comprehensive development of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
The demand was to ensure that the funds are utilised to address landlessness, homelessness and ensuring jobs and entrepreneurship for these communities. Dalits and adivasis should also be given representation in the planning process. On the lines of oorrukuttoms in tribal areas, special grama sabhas for scheduled castes should be established in panchayats, the meeting urged.
The meeting wanted the government to announce 100 Ayyanakali research scholarships for scheduled tribes and scheduled castes.
Policy researcher John Samuel released the report on the budget implementation published by RIGHTS. RIGHTS executive director V B Ajaykumar and social activists Rajendran Prasad, Anilkumar UP, Subhash Kavalayoor, Radhalekshmy and Rajasri Rajamohan also spoke at the function.
