The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, on Tuesday, demanded that the state government issue a white paper on the allocation and spending of SC-ST funds in the last 19 years.
Participating in the debate on the SC-ST Sub-Plan Bill in the state Legislative Council on Tuesday, MIM MLC Altaf Hyder Rizvi said that the bill was "nothing but a replica of an Act framed in 1974".
He claimed that as much as Rs. 2,58,355 crore was sanctioned for SCs and STs in the last 19 years, but that so far the government has spent only Rs. 33,000 crore.
The MIM MLC alleged that the Sub-Plan Bill was introduced by the government to divert attention from its failures. Accusing the state government of being non-serious about the welfare of SCs and STs, he said of Rs. 16,198 crore allocated for their welfare last year, the government has spent only Rs. 12,000 crore.
Razvi also demanded a separate Sub-Plan for minorities and backward classes. He also demanded the proper implementation of the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme in AP. He said that of nearly Rs. 37,000 crore allotted under the PM's 15-Point programme, only Rs. 5,250 crore has been spent so far.
In addition, he demanded that the budget for minorities' welfare be increased from the present Rs 498 crore. (INN)