Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister and finance minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka directed officials to allocate 24 per cent of public funds for the development of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) as per the SC, ST Sub Plan Act. This sum would be a depature from what previous administrations had given.
Bhatti stressed the need for a coordinated effort from all departments and instructed the officials to hold monthly department-wise review meetings to monitor the implementation of the Act and the expenditure of funds, with oversight from the finance department.
Bhatti was speaking at a review meeting held with senior officials at the Secretariat on the effective implementation of the Act on Thursday. He said the government was making the efforts to implement the Act effectively. "The finance department has appointed a special officer dedicated to the implementation of the Act. This officer will coordinate with all departments to ensure the smooth execution of the Act," he explained.
The Deputy Chief Minister stressed the importance of the establishment of integrated residential schools with sub-plan funds to provide quality education to SC and ST students. In addition to educational initiatives, he directed officials to focus on the development of infrastructure in Dalit and tribal habitats. This includes the construction of community halls, internal roads and drainage systems.
The review meeting also called for a brainstorming session to develop a comprehensive action plan for the Act's implementation. Officials were urged to thoroughly understand the Act and ensure that departmental funds are allocated and spent according to its provisions.
Bhatti emphasised that the true success of the Act would be measured by the tangible improvements in the lives of Dalit and tribal communities. He directed the officials to conduct training programmes for officers from all departments to improve their expertise on fund allocation and expenditure and ensure that all officials are well-versed in the Act's requirements.
The meeting also addressed the need to utilise the Indira Jala Prabha scheme, which is aimed at developing SC and ST land holdings. Officials from the minor irrigation department were tasked to explore options for water source development, including bore well drilling and check dam construction, to support Dalit and tribal farmers. Additionally, the cultivation of farm oil, fruit orchards and indoor crops was proposed as the means to generate sustainable income for tribal farmers.
Finance principal secretary Sandeep Sultania, along with senior officials including social welfare commissioner T.K. Sridevi, tribal welfare secretary A. Sharath and Housing Corporation MD V.P. Gautham, participated in the meeting. The officials were asked to present comprehensive action plans in the next meeting, scheduled to be organised by the finance department within a week.
