Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Special Development Funds (SC/ST SDFs)
The Government passed the “Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Special Development Fund (Planning, Allocation and Utilisation of Financial resources) Act in 2017” to secure earmarked funds for implementation of schemes that aim at ensuring accelerated development of SCs and STs with an emphasis on achieving equality, focussing on economic, educational and human development along with ensuring their security and social dignity and promoting equity among SCs and STs. As a result, 15.45% of state scheme funds are directed solely towards the welfare and development of SC communities, and another 9.08% for the betterment of the ST communities proportionate to their population in the State. The Act also ensures that unused funds are carried forward into subsequent financial years.
As of 2021-22, Telangana is one of the 4 states (the other three being Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu) to provide legal guarantees for the welfare of and allocation of funds towards SC and ST communities. Around Rs. 18,000 crore earmarked funds have been utilized for the exclusive benefit of SCs and STs during the year 2021-22 (upto February 2022).
All Scheduled Caste (SC) specific programmes are being listed under SCSDF and Scheduled Tribe (ST) specific programmes are being listed under STAFF. Some of the important on-going flagship programmes such as Kalyana Laxmi, Aasara Pensions, Drinking water to households, Sanna Biyyam to the students in the SC & ST hostels, KCR Kits etc., are linked with the Special Development Fund. Figures 11.1 & 11.2 show the expenditure under SC/ST Special Development funds since the implementation of the Act in 2017 till 2020-21.
