Additional funds for SC, ST welfare

The Social Welfare department has received an additional amount of Rs 7,223 crore, compared to the previous financial year, following the implementation of the Karnataka SC, ST Sub-Plan (Planning, Allocation and Utilisation of Financial Resources) Act, 2013.

Disclosing this at a press conference in Bangalore on Friday, Minister for Social Welfare Anjaneya said the department received Rs 7,436 crore for the welfare scheme for SC/STs last year.

This year, a total grant of Rs 15,834 crore had been allotted to the department. The legislation, passed by the legislature last year, ensured the effective implementation of funds earmarked for the SC and ST communities.

The Social Welfare department, in a recent order, has earmarked 10 per cent of seats in the Morarji Desai, Kittur Rani Chennamma, Ekalavya and Atal Behari Vajpayee Residential Schools for the children of Pourakarmikas, the minister said.

In another initiative, 65,000 SC families and 40,000 ST families involved in dairy farming will get an initiative of Rs two per litre of milk, in addition to Rs 4 per litre of milk being provided across the State, he said.