Karnataka awaits Central grants of ₹880 crore, even as it marks 97% progress under SCSP/TSP

Even as the State has marked 97% progress under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) and the Tribals Sub-Plan (TSP), Karnataka is awaiting ₹880 crore from the Centre that was supposed to be released for various Centrally-sponsored schemes.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who on Saturday assessed the progress of welfare programmes at a review meeting of the State Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Council, expressed concern over pending grants.

Instructing departments to take immediate steps to secure funds from the Centre, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure strict and effective implementation of the SCSP/TSP Act.

Presenting the financial performance, officials said that during the previous year, ₹38,793 crore was released under the SCSP/TSP.  Of this, ₹38,717 crore was utilised, marking 97% progress.

₹2.97 lakh crore so far

The Chief Minister pointed out that it has been a decade since the enactment of the SCSP/TSP Act, under which Karnataka has spent over ₹2.97 lakh crore for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Despite this, he noted, the social, economic, and educational upliftment of these communities has not reached the expected levels.

The Act mandates a minimum allocation of 24.1% of the State’s annual Budget for SC/ST welfare. Mr. Siddaramaiah recalled that in 2019–20, the allocation fell short of this requirement and insisted that such lapses must not be repeated. For 2024–25, the State has earmarked ₹42,017.51 crore.

Last year, ₹1,086 crore was released for SCSP/TSP housing schemes. Steps must be taken to provide housing facilities to every eligible SC/ST beneficiary, the Chief Minister added.

Study by ISEC

As it has been 10 years since the enactment of the SCSP/TSP Act, a progress evaluation was conducted by ISEC. A study was undertaken in 39 taluks with higher SC/ST population, considering parameters like education, health, standard of living, and poverty eradication. During this period, an annual growth rate of 9.6% was achieved in development grants. Compared to other States, Karnataka has been at the forefront in several parameters over the past decade, officials informed the Chief Minister.

Devadasi survey from the first week of September

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday announced that the State government will conduct a fresh survey of women who were part of the Devadasi system in Karnataka from the first week of September. This has been a pending demand of the community.

“The Devadasi system has been outlawed, yet if it still survives in any form, it is a matter of shame for all of us. Suitable amendments to the law will be made to impose stricter punishment on those forcing girls into the practice, including parents or family members who play a role in pushing children into it,” the Chief Minister said.

The proposed fresh survey is aimed at identifying Devadasi women who have not yet been rehabilitated and to ensure that they are brought under the ambit of welfare and rehabilitation programmes. The Chief Minister instructed the Social Welfare and Women and Child Development departments to work in close coordination to implement the survey and follow-up rehabilitation measures.

The Chief Minister also called upon officials to design targeted programmes for other neglected communities such as sanitation workers, noting that social justice cannot be achieved if the most marginalised sections remain deprived of dignity and opportunity.