SCs, STs denied jobs on compassionate grounds; Over Rs 25k cr for SC/ST welfare diverted for guarantee schemes

BENGALURU: With the budget just a week ahead, the government has cut funding to Dalit corporations and board, while on the other hand, Dalits face injustice from the government itself. Despite being eligible, Dalits are denied jobs on compassionate grounds and are instead offered lower level positions.

The government has discussed this issue and warned all departments to provide jobs based on merit. If not, action will be taken against the department heads. The government has instructed all departments to provide jobs based on merit and eligibility and to avoid giving lower level jobs to Dalits.

The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms has issued an order to all department heads to provide jobs on compassionate grounds and qualifications. The order warns department heads that action will be taken against them if they fail to provide jobs based on merit.

The recruitment should be done as per the rules prevailing when an application is made for recruitment on compassionate grounds.

The educational qualification for recruitment on the basis of any caste, religion, or class, including SC/ST should be considered.

No discrimination should be made during the appointment process.

If recruitment is not made on the basis of educational qualification, disciplinary action will be taken against such officers and staff.

Amid allegations of misusing SC/ST welfare money for guarantee schemes, Public TV possesses statistics on the total utilisation of allotted funds. The government has spent a significant amount of money from the SC-ST welfare fund on guarantee schemes instead of using it for the welfare of Dalits.

In the 2023-24 budget, a total of Rs 11,144 crore was diverted from SC, ST development on guarantee schemes. In the 2024-25 budget, a total of Rs 14,282.68 crore was spent on guarantee schemes. In the last two years, the government has spent a total of Rs 25,426 crore from the Dalit welfare fund on guarantee schemes.

The government’s spending on Dalit welfare funds has been diverted, with the majority of funds being spent on guarantee schemes such as Gruha Laxmi and Anna Bhagya. The Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which provides a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 to women, has received the largest allocation of funds. The government’s priorities seem misplaced, with more funds being allocated to guarantee schemes rather than Dalit welfare.

Rs 11,144 crores were used in the financial year 2023-24

Gruha Lakshmi—Rs 5,075 crore.

Annabhagya – Rs 2,779.5 crore.

Gruha Jyoti – Rs 2,410 crore.

Shakti Yojana – Rs 812 crore.

Yuva Nidhi – Rs 67.5 crore.

Total – Rs 11,144 crore.

Rs 14,282.68 crores used in the financial year 2024-25

Gruha Lakshmi—Rs 7881.91 crore.

Annabhagya – Rs 2,187.89 crore.

Gruha Jyothi – Rs 2,585.93 crore.

Shakti – Rs 1,451.45 crore.

Yuva Nidhi – Rs 175.5 crore.

Total – Rs 14,282.68 crore.