

Ahmedabad: As per the constitutional provision every state is expected to make atleast minimum budget allocation for the Schedule Caste(SC) and Schedule Tribe(ST) in proportion to their population in the state budget every year under SC and ST sub plan.

Government can allocate more budget considering more welfare needs but cannot run away from the minimum allocation for the SC/ST welfare in proportion to their population however the Vibrant Gujarat government don't follow the constitutional provision and allocates less budget under the SC/ST sub plan which is clear violation of the constitutional provisions.

As per 2011 census, SC(Dalit) population in state is 7.09%, while ST(tribal) population is 14.75% of the total population so the Gujarat government needs to allocate minimum 7.09 % and 14.75% for SC and ST respectively. However year after year Gujarat government allocates lesser than the mandatory provisions.

Against the total Plan size of Rs. 79295 crore in 2015-16 of the state budget Gujarat government was expected to allocate Rs. 5622 crore under SC special component plan(SCSCP) and Rs. 11696 crore under the Tribal Sub Plan(TSP) however actually allocated Rs. 3947.17 crore and Rs.10247 crore respectively which was less by whopping Rs.1674.83 crore and Rs.1449 crore for SC and ST respectively less than the population criteria.

Union Niti Ayog(earlier planning commission) has also directed the state to follow the constitutional provision in the budget allocation.

Jignesh Mevani, SC/ST legal right activists said that,"the Gujarat government is not only violating the constitutional provision by allocating less fund for the SC and ST under special component plan but also not spending enough from it. Diversion of funds for non SC and ST purposes like construction roads etc., are considered under the SC/ST welfare work which is misinterpretation. Other development activities like road, water supply etc., can not be included in SC/ST welfare activities as it's general development activity. SC/ST special plan's basis objective is to give special attention to the deprived community which the Gujarat government is ignoring. Gujarat needs to have Andhra Pradesh like special Act for SC/ST sub-plan allocation to ensure better welfare of the community.''

Mangubhai Patel, State Tribal Development Minister when contacted accepted that the government is allocating less budget for tribal development however do not see anything wrong in it. "Government has to follow income and expenditure possibilities while preparing the budget. Constitutional provisions are different and financial matters are different. While preparing budget government may to have to consider lot of things.'' Ramanlal Vora, State Social Justice & Empowerment Minister was not available for comments despite several attempts.

BOX

Year (Rs. in crore) 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 Gujarat Plan Budget 53287 71500 79295 Special Component Plan for Schedule Castes 2478 3554.6 3947.17

% allocation out of plan budget of the state 4.65 4.98% 4.98 Allocation due as per 7% population of SCs 3730 4993.1 5622 Less/denial allocation as per the guideline 1252 1438.5 1674.84 TASP (Tribal Sub Plan) 7293 9323 10247 TASP allocation % 13.69 13.04 12.93 As per 14.75% Tribal population required allocation 7859.83 10546.25 11696 Less budget allocation as per 14.75% population 566.83 1223.25 1449



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