LSG and Decentralised Planning

Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan under Decentralization

The Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan are based on Article 46 of Constitution of India for providing special protective measures to safeguard the interest of Scheduled Caste(SCs) and Scheduled Tribe(STs). This constitutional mandate on the State requires it ‘to create a regime of equality including social equality through comprehensive measures of social justice.’ Social equality means ensuring equity between marginalized sections on the one hand, and socially advanced castes on the other, in all parameters of life- economic, occupational, educational, residential facilities, health, nutrition etc.’ As one of the major objectives of decentralized planning is to empower social equity and to improve the socio-economic status of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and enhancing their quality of life, the devolution under Special Component plans has prime importance. .

The allocation of Plan funds to SCSP and TSP from State Plan outlay is done according to the ratio of population of SCs and STs to total population of the State. Out of the total SCSP/TSP Plan outlay, a certain percentage of funds are earmarked to LGs for implementation of schemes under decentralized planning. The projects under the SCSP/TSP can be categorized into two viz, the beneficiary oriented schemes and infrastructural development schemes. The outlay and expenditure for each category is shown in Table 8.7.

Table 8.7
Award of Development Fund for LGs (2012-17), in crore

*includes opening balance
Source: Appendix IV of the Budget and Information Kerala Mission,2016