Hyderabad: The state government on Wednesday introduced two Bills in Legislative Assembly, — SC/ST Special Development Fund and the amendment Bill on the Bhoodan Lands Trust Board. The Bill on SC/ST Special Development Fund is aimed at optimum utilisation of funds for development and welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and will replace the SC/ST Sub-Plan Act passed by Legislature in Undivided AP in 2013.
The second Bill aims to bring amendments to Bhoodan Lands Trust Board to check misuse of Bhoodan lands. Minister for SC/ST development G. Jagadish Reddy who introduced the first Bill described it as “historic” as it is for the first time that such an Act has been brought in that mandates complete utilisation of funds meant for SC/ST development in the specified financial year and if any funds remain unspent for any reason, it mandates those funds to be carried forward to the subsequent year.
He said the funds will be allotted in proportion to the ratio of population of SCs and STs. A state-level advisory council headed by Chief Minister will be set up to monitor the spending of funds every quarter and a special officer will be appointed in the Secretariat to oversee implementation. The second Bill accords powers to the state government to constitute Bhoodan Trust Board and appointment members.
At present, only the nominees of Vinobha Bhave have the power to make appointments. However, there is confusion and controversy over the claims of Vinobha Bhave nominees since he had passed away over than 50 years ago.
