At 30k cr, SC/ST sub-plans get bonanza

Allocation for SC/ST development has peaked at Rs 30,445 crore in the 2019-20 budget.

This allocation has been provided under the Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan (Planning, Allocation and Utilisation of Financial Resources) Act, 2013. Under the sub-plans, 17.15% and 6.95% of the total budget allocation are set aside for SC and ST welfare, respectively.

The sub-plans allocation last year was Rs 29,209 crore.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has also announced setting up Samyuktha Student Hostels, where students of all castes and communities can stay, in every district at a cost of Rs 100 crore. Also, a large ‘Constitution Museum’ in Bengaluru “to introduce the genesis and importance of our Constitution to the future generations,” was proposed by Kumaraswamy. The museum has got an allocation of Rs 20 crore.

The budget has also laid emphasis on the development of nomadic communities with a grant of Rs 25 crore to the Nomadic Development Corporation. Also, nomadic community halls will be built, Kumaraswamy said. Plus, the government has proposed to take up a study of the traditions, culture and practices of such nomadic communities, all of which have received an allocation of Rs 11 crore.

The government will spend Rs 134 crore on development of 30 backward class communities such as Arebhasha Vokkaliga, Bhovi, Idiga, Kumbara, Simpi and so on.

Minorities, too, have received significant attention. In a first, the government will establish a Christian Development Corporation at a cost of Rs 200 crore for “comprehensive development programmes for the Christian community,” Kumaraswamy said.

A one-time allocation of Rs 25 crore has been made to establish the Moulana Azad Trust to “encourage modern education and scientific temperament among the Muslim community.”

Areas inhabited predominantly by minorities will be provided with basic infrastructure facilities at a cost of Rs 400 crore.