Be transparent in spending SC, ST Sub Plan funds, Bhatti tells officials

The Deputy CM also noted that the available funds should be spent satisfactorily and they should formulate plans to ensure that the funds spent under Sub Plan lead to a rise in income of the respective communities and creation of assets.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu has said that every department should spend funds in accordance with the SC, and ST Sub-Plan within the stipulated time, and instructed the officials concerned to disclose the details of department-wise expenditure once a month.

Mr.Vikramarka, who held a review meeting on the implementation of SC, ST Sub Plan with senior officials of various departments at the Secretariat here on Friday, asked for full details related to spending of Sub Plan funds and the benefits accrued to the communities at a meeting scheduled for January 23.

The Deputy CM also noted that the available funds should be spent satisfactorily and they should formulate plans to ensure that the funds spent under Sub Plan lead to a rise in income of the respective communities and creation of assets.

Officials presented the CESS report on the implementation of the SC and ST Sub Plan across various departments over the past eight years. Mr. Vikramarka sought details on the issues identified by CESS officials and the outcomes of their findings. He directed the CESS officers to submit their reports to the Finance and Planning departments moving forward and to hold regular meetings with these departments.

Emphasising the importance of solar-powered pump sets in forest lands, he directed officers to incorporate bamboo, avocado, palm oil projects, and other intercrops alongside them. He also suggested linking these initiatives with works under the Employment Guarantee Scheme, highlighting that this approach would not only protect forests but also boost the incomes of tribal farmers.

The Deputy CM said that SC and ST women being displaced by the Musi River rejuvenation project should be enrolled in self-help groups to access interest-free loans and support their journey toward entrepreneurship.