Now, 25% Plan funds sought for SCs & STs

With the reservation issue confounding the UPA government from all sides, a group of parliamentarians added fresh fuel to the fire today, as they asked Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia to earmark 25 per cent of Plan funds for SCs and STs in the country. The MPs also wanted ‘schools of excellence’ that would have no entrance tests for SC/ST students and 70 per cent of the seats reserved for them.

Over 40 MPs, part of the parliamentary forum of SC/ST, met Ahluwalia today to seek his assurance that their community gets ample opportunity to move up the socio-economic ladder. They argued that the 25 per cent of the Plan funds would be in proportion to the population of SCs and STs. The MPs asked this to be implemented before the beginning of the 11th Plan.

Discussing the guidelines for the formulation and implementation of a Scheduled Caste Special Plan (SCP) and Tribal Special Plan (TSP) at the Centre, state and district levels, the MPs also sought a separate documentation for these Plan funds.

The Plan panel has already issued guidelines for this allocation and asked states to get back with their requirements. All but three states have approved the guidelines. The panel is in dialogue with the three states yet to approve the guidelines. Similar guidelines will also be sent to ministries and government departments.