The Odisha Dalit Adhikar Manch (ODAM) has urged the State Government to enact a special legislation and launch schemes in lines with Telangana for implementation of Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) funds in the State.
A representative of the ODAM submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in this regard following a public meeting held here on Saturday.
Members of the ODAM, who are from different walks of life, discussed in detail about implementation of the SCSPO and TSP funds in the State.
They lamented that though 40 per cent of the State’s budgetary allocations need to be utilised for protection and development of SCs and STs, yet it has not been a reality as of now. The funds meant for SCs and STs are being spent for other purposes.
Stating that States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnatak and Telangana have enacted special legislations to appropriately utilise the funds under SCSP and the TSP, members opined that the Odisha Government to make special schemes and legislations for the purpose. They too threatened to take to intensify the agitation Statewide if the demand is not met soon.
The meeting presided over by Manch president Manas Jena was participated by retired administrator Kalyan Ray, Manch advisor Madhusudan Yadav, former MlA and AIPF State convenor Radhakant Sethi, former Ministers Panchanan Kanungo and Prafulla Ghadei, MlA George Tirkey, CPI’s Khirod Prasad Singh, CPM’s Suresh Panigrahi, CPI (Ml-Red Star)’s Sankar Sahoo, CPI (Ml-libaration)’s Yuddhisthir Mohapatra, Prof Dhaneswar Sahoo, Prof Dambarudhar Behera, Prof Prasanna Kiranbera and Pashant Mallick as speakers.
