The Madhya Pradesh government defended its actions by stressing how cow welfare matters to the farm economy and how religious sites hold cultural value. Officials claim these investments help the wider population, including SC and ST groups, by backing farm jobs and boosting tourism.
The Madhya Pradesh government’s decision to shift a large amount of money from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) welfare funds to cow care and religious site projects has caused debate in the country. This move has people worried about how resources for disadvantaged groups are being shared out, pointing to bigger problems with how the state is run and along with the governments’ priorities. The money was first set aside under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) to the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) and the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP). These plans aim to help SC and ST communities with education, money, and social improvement.
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However, government papers show that out of ₹252 crore for cow care, ₹95.76 crore comes from these sub-plans. Additionally, about half of the ₹109 crore for six religious sites comes from SCSP and TSP money. Reports indicate that around ₹100 crore from SCSP and TSP funds now goes to looking after cow shelters (gaushalas) and fixing up religious places. People are upset about this change saying it might ignore what SC and ST communities in Madhya Pradesh need right now.
The Madhya Pradesh government defended its actions by stressing how cow welfare matters to the farm economy and how religious sites hold cultural value. Officials claim these investments help the wider population, including SC and ST groups, by backing farm jobs and boosting tourism. However, activists and community leaders worry that diverting funds towards cow welfare won’t tackle the urgent needs of SC and ST people.
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Critics say the funds should go where they’re meant to: to improve schooling, healthcare, homes, and job chances for these groups. They see this shift as straying from the main goal of fairness and equality that the SCSP and TSP plans aim for. Plans made just to lift up SC and ST groups might get pushed back or scrapped when money goes elsewhere. This can make existing gaps worse and slow down progress in areas like education, healthcare access, and economic growth within these communities.
This problem goes beyond Madhya Pradesh. Karnataka’s government faces questions for declaring that it will use approximately ₹14 crore from SC/ST funds to keep election promises. Karnataka’s Social Welfare Minister, H.C. Mahadevappa, backed this choice. He said the money would help SC/ST communities. However, this move makes people worry about the right and fair use of money meant for disadvantaged groups. It reflects a wider trend of moving funds around in different states.
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Moving these funds around has also led to legal questions. People ask if it follows the rules in the constitution about how to give out and use SCSP and TSP money. Law experts say these changes might go against ideas of fairness and social justice. This could lead to legal fights and calls for people to explain their actions.
The controversy surrounding the diversion of SC/ST funds in Madhya Pradesh underscores the critical importance of transparent and accountable governance. Ensuring that allocated funds are utilized for their intended purposes is essential for promoting social justice and addressing historical inequities. As the debate continues, it remains imperative for the government to prioritize the welfare of marginalized communities and uphold the principles of equity and justice in its resource allocation decisions.
The ongoing discourse serves as a reminder of the need for vigilant oversight and active engagement from civil society to ensure that policies and practices align with the broader goals of inclusive development and social empowerment
*दलित टाइम्स उन करोड़ो लोगो की आवाज़ है जिन्हें हाशिए पर रखा गया है। *
महिला, दलित और आदिवासियों के मुद्दों पर केंद्रित पत्रकारिता करने और मुख्यधारा की मीडिया में इनका प्रतिनिधित्व करने के लिए हमें आर्थिक सहयोग करें।
