Patna: During a recent interaction with students at the government-run Ambedkar Kalyan hostel in Darbhanga, Bihar, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that Scheduled Castes are not getting benefits from the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) fund, which is a set of resources set aside for their development. The Congress MP raised this question at the inaugural meeting of the Congress’ “Shiksha Nyay Samvad” campaign on Thursday. In this meeting, Rahul Gandhi put forth his point on many issues. Let us know, what is the whole truth? Especially why is Rahul Gandhi saying this?
What is Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan?
SCSP is a strategy of the central government aimed at ensuring proportionate flow of resources for the development of Scheduled Castes through implementation of infrastructure, education, health and other welfare schemes in areas with substantial Dalit population. SCSP was launched in 1980 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to reach out to Dalits. SCSP funds are channelled through the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which provides special central assistance. There are three categories of SCSP schemes: fully centrally funded, fully state-funded, and hybrid schemes that are divided in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and the state.
How much does Bihar spend?
According to a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the Bihar government allocated Rs 16,777 crore for its SCSP schemes in 2021-22, but allegedly diverted Rs 10,799 crore to general schemes. Similarly, out of Rs 19,688 crore allocated for SCSP schemes in 2022-23, Rs 18,450 crore was allegedly diverted to non-SC schemes. In 2023-24, the state government allegedly spent Rs 11,796 crore on general schemes out of the total SCSP funds of Rs 16,939 crore.
Where was the money spent?
Some of the major SCSP schemes include income-generating initiatives, financial assistance for construction or upgradation of houses, providing free land for housing, education and skill development schemes such as free distribution of books and school uniforms. After the latest CAG report on the performance of the Bihar government highlighted problems in the SCSP funds, nine Bihar MLAs, including CPI(ML)(L) MLA Satyadev Ram, had questioned the JDU-led state government in the Assembly in March over the alleged diversion of funds. Though the state government did not reject the CAG’s findings, it said the auditor had not used the word “diversion” but only described the department-wise allocation of SCSP funds.
Understand the matter
For instance, the CAG report said that out of Rs 16,939 crore of SCPS funds in 2023-24, Rs 1,447 crore was allocated for Chief Minister Local Area Development Scheme and flood control, Rs 3,465 crore for construction of medical colleges, Rs 394 crore for construction of government buildings and Rs 212 crore for other projects like construction of state hospitals and healthcare buildings. Debt of Rs 460 crore of state power companies was also repaid using SCSP funds.
SCSP fund utilisation rules
The Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes presented a report on social justice in both the Houses of Parliament in August 2018, in which it expressed concern about the utilisation of funds earmarked for the Scheduled Castes. The report said that under the allocation for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, diversion of funds is not acceptable and the funds are earmarked for Scheduled Castes only, but due to the general nature of the schemes of some ministries/departments, the funds are not fully utilised. The committee has also recommended that the Niti Aayog monitor the funds allocated for the welfare of Scheduled Castes to ensure that they are not under-utilised or diverted.
Letter written to the Centre
According to a report in the ‘Indian Express’, social activist Rajeev Kumar, who has written several letters to the Centre on the matter, said that neither the Centre nor the state government is ready to admit that the funds have been misused, while the money was “blatantly used by other departments”. How does this fit with the Congress’ electoral agenda? Rahul Gandhi is likely to make it a political issue ahead of the assembly elections later this year, as Dalits constitute 19.65% of the state’s population.
Rahul Gandhi is making the issue
Gandhi told the students in Darbhanga that there is no place for you in this country; there is no place for 90% of the people of the country. From senior bureaucracy to the top management of the Government of India, High Court and educational and medical (institutions), 90% of the population has no representation. But MNREGA is full of your people. The SCSP fund set for the Scheduled Castes is not reaching them. All the wealth is with 5-10% people. Although the Congress has raised the issue of alleged misuse of SCSP funds at the national level from time to time, but this is the first time that the party is raising this issue in Bihar. In the 2020 assembly elections, the Congress won 19 seats. Four of its MLAs are Dalits.
About the author
Ashutosh Kumar Pandey
Active in print, digital and electronic journalism for more than 16 years. Degree in Political Science and Journalism. Started writing in Jansatta, Hindustan and Dainik Jagran in 2003. Worked for ETV, Maurya TV, Focus TV, Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Prabhat Khabar.com and Network 18. Reported in four Lok Sabha elections and many assembly elections.
Courtesy: Hindi News
