90% dip in central funds for SC/ST welfare: RTI data

Madurai: There has been a massive 90% decline in Union govt funding for Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare department in recent years, according to data obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act.The figures, disclosed by the department in response to a query by RTI activist S Karthik, says the Centre allocated Rs6,998.82 crore between 2014-15 and 2024-25 fiscal years. The assistance peaked in 2018-2019 with an allocation of Rs1,553.48 crore. However, by 2022-2023 fiscal year, it plummeted to just Rs159.78 crore, a record low. Although there was a slight adjustment in the following year, the allocation for 2024-2025 remains a mere Rs288.84 crore, a staggering drop compared to six years ago.
Karthik told TOI that consistent withdrawal of financial support directly impacted critical sectors such as education, employment, and infrastructure development for adi dravidar and tribal community. Many ongoing projects aimed at their upliftment are stalled due to lack of adequate central grants. He demanded that a finance monitoring committee consisting of social activists, educationists, and an economist be set up to monitor funds from the Centre and ensure their proper utilisation for sector-specific projects. In the light of these findings, he urged the Union govt to prioritise welfare of Tamil Nadu's marginalised communities by ensuring a minimum annual allocation of at least Rs1,500 crore. He called upon chief minister M K Stalin to exert pressure on the Centre in this regard.Former vice-chairman of Tamil Nadu State Commission for SCs & STs Punitha Pandiyan accused bureaucratic apathy and anti-dalit mentality for the situation. "Bureaucrats should be sensitised to the problems faced by dalits, and how to handle them," he said."I was in the commission and saw many officials who did not even know how to produce a report regarding dalit issues before the commission. They use terminology that should not be used. From tahsildar to IAS officers, they should be aware of the core problem dalits face," he added. "Ministers would know about fund allocation and utilisation from their respective departments only if the concerned bureaucrat informs them," Pandiyan added. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !