The Tamil Nadu government will introduce a legislation to ensure effective implementation of the Schedule Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) and the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), and provide adequate funds for it.

Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan on Monday said the Bill would be introduced in the next session of the Assembly after consultations with various stakeholders. The announcement has come against the back drop of long pending concerns raised by political parties and civil society organisations regarding the problems in the implementation of the SCSP and the TSP.

Funds proportional to the State's SC and ST population is earmarked for the SCSP and TSP from the total welfare expenditure plan outlay of the State. The government came under criticism for the reported decline in the utilisation of funds set aside under the sub plans.

New scheme

A new scheme 'Iyothee Thass Pandithar Habitation Development Scheme' will be launched to ensure basic amenities and comprehensive socio economic development in "Adi Dravidar habitations" in urban and rural areas. A total of ₹1,000 crore would be spent for the scheme over the next five years, the Finance Minister said.

Referring another scheme, announced Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, to end manual scavenging and make conservancy workers entrepreneurs by providing them adequate machinery, the Minister said the scheme would be initially implemented on a pilot basis in the Chennal metropolitan area.

To address the low share of persons from SC and ST communities availing of various subsidies to promote entrepreneurship, he said 'Annal Ambedkar Business Cham pions Scheme' would be launched with an allocation of ₹100 crore for 2023-24.

Media: The Hindu