The SC/ST Sub-Plan Act was projected as a panacea for all ills afflicting dalits and girijans before its enactment in 2013 by the composite Andhra Pradesh State. With no rules framed by the governments in Telangana and successor State of Andhra Pradesh now, implementation of the Act is in limbo, laments Kula Vivaksha Porata Samiti (KVPS) founder president and CPI(M) Central Committee member Patturi Ramaiah.
“It was after long drawn struggle the SC/ST sub plan came into being but diversion of funds for Outer Ring Road and Hussainsagar lake continued unabated. It is an agonising wait for SCs and STs now even after the Act has been put in place with no rules framed for its implementation after its enactment by the State legislature of composite Andhra Pradesh,” the former CPI(M) MLA told a press conference here.
SC/ST hamlets continue to present a pathetic picture with no proper roads, drains and drinking water, he said. The KVPS would join hands with like-minded organisations to hold massive stirs from July 5 to ensure that diversion of funds earmarked for SCs and STs was put to an end , he added. Lamenting that the SC/ST Commission was dysfunctional, KVPS State secretary A. Malyadri demanded appointment of its chairman and other members so that dalits and garijans could seek remedy.