Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP), Andhra Pradesh

The Scheduled Castes population of A.P. in the last decade increased from 74.28
lakhs to 84.45 lakhs increasing its share to 17.10 per cent of total population of the
state. The sex ratio of scheduled castes is 1007, which is higher than the state
average of 996. The literacy rate among S.Cs was 64.47 in 2011, which is lower than
the state literacy rate of 67.41. The school enrollment ratio of S.C children in the age
group of 6 to 15 years in the year 2012-13 was 100.17 per cent as against the
general enrollment ratio of 82.29 per cent and the dropout rate at 10 th class level was
39.64 among SC children as against general dropout rate of 33.4 per cent.
Special Component Plan (SCP) came into existence with the initiative of the then
Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi. In April 1975, the conference of state
ministers adopted a resolution calling for the quantification of efforts made and
benefits from schemes in each general section for development of SCs. In the fifth
five year Plan, the main thrust of development was focused by the sectors under
education, health and infrastructure. Each department had to examine the schemes
in the respective sector and quantity benefits that should be available to scheduled
castes.
The basic philosophy of Special Component Plan, emphasizes efforts for integrated
and all round development of Scheduled Castes, aiming at eradication of socioeconomic discrimination. The Plan funds are required to be earmarked by each
department for development of SCs in proportion to their population of the state. The
main objective is to bridge the gap between dalits and general categories under
various development indicators in order to ensure equity and equal opportunities to
dalits on par with other sections of the society.
Implementation during different Plan Periods:
National Commission for SCs and STs in its sixth report for the year 1999-2000 and
2000-2001, referred to drastic cut at the stage of utilization of outlay in the states and
large underutilization of SCP. A.P. has provided an outlay of 9.93% towards SCP as
against its S.C population of 15.98 per cent at that time and the expenditure was still
less i.e. only 34 % of SCP outlay for that year. In the next year (2000-01), SCP outlay
was reduced to Rs.217.18 crores, which was just 2.64 per cent of the states total
1

plan outlay. The Commission observed that in many states, these cuts of SCP are
regular features and as a result, the expenditure is substantially short of the outlays
announced in the Budget Estimates. The report of the National Commission for
SCs/STs reveals that in almost all the States, the implementation of SCP is
completely neglected and that there is no monitoring of SCP after announcement of
SCP in the Budget speech by the Finance Minister. Even the amount so allocated
has not been utilized and large outlays under SCP remain unnoticed in many Sates.
The Planning Commission reviewed the implementation of SCP in 24 states and UTs
and issued revised guidelines for the formulation, implementation and monitoring of
SCP in the year 2005.. The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, while writing to
all Chief Ministers on 6th September, 2005, drew the attention to SCP and TSP which
are policy instruments designed to ensure the fulfillment of constitutional guarantees
for the SC and ST communities special component was also renamed as Scheduled
Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) from 2005-06 onwards..
The revised guidelines issued by the Planning Commission for Sub-Plan were based
on Governors Committee Report on chaired by Sri. P.C. Alexander, the then
Governor of Maharashtra constituted for the purpose of implementation of SCP. The
Committee in its recommendations, proposed that key features of the SC sub-plan of
Maharashtra state, need to be adopted adoption by other states for effective
implementation of SCP. These features are as follows:

Social Welfare / Social Justice Dept., shall act Nodal agency with full control
over funds allocation for SCP.

The proportional percentage of funds allocated under Special Component

Plan in a year have to be pooled up and reallocated to the needy schemes as
identified by the nodal agency.

The SCSP funds need not be allowed to lapse at the end of a financial year in
order to give the benefit to reach the deprived communities

.
Statutory Status for SCSP and TSP:
Andhra Pradesh is the first state to enact Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes
Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan (Planning, Allocation and Utilization of Financial
Resources) Act No.1 of 2013. The Act is to ensure, accelerated development of
Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) with emphasis on achieving
2

equality focusing on economic, educational and human development along with

ensuring the security and social dignity and promoting equity among Scheduled
Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, by earmarking a portion, in proportion to the
population.
The Act envisages that schemes included in SCSP / TSP should secure direct and
quantifiable benefits to Scheduled Caste individuals or Scheduled Caste households
or Scheduled Caste habitations and should bridge the gaps in development
indicators between SCs / STs, when compared to state averages.
Implementation Mechanisms
The Act also ensures effective institutional mechanisms for the implementation of the
Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) / Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP). Accordingly, a Nodal
Agency for implementation of the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) is constituted
under the Chairmanship of Minister Social Welfare.

The Social Welfare

Department is designated as the Nodal Department for implementation of Scheduled

Castes Sub Plan. The Nodal Agency for SCSP recommend the schemes that fulfil
the norms, specifically of the direct and quantifiable benefits and bridging the gap in
development indicators, for inclusion in the Annual Plan proposals of the respective
departments and aggregated for placing before the State Council for Development of
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for consideration and approval as prebudget process. This marks a drastic departure from the earlier practice of assigning
notional allocations to each department on an arithmetic basis to one of allocations
that secure direct and quantifiable benefits and can bridge the gap of development in
different sectors as identified by the Nodal Department with a view to ensure equity,
social justice and empowerment of the Scheduled Castes through the SCSP. As a
result, some departments would have zero allocation under SCSP while some
departments may have more than 16.2% depending upon the need of Scheduled
Castes.
The Government constituted the State Council for Development of Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister to
exercise conferred powers and to perform functions formatters relating to Scheduled
Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan.

The State Council advises the State

government on all policy matters relating to SCSC / TSP and suggests measures for
3

proper planning, implementation of the schemes by the departments and approval of

Annual SCSP proposals of the Departments.

Scheme wise proposal of each

department are to be furnished by Nodal Agency to the Planning Department for

review and approval by the State Council.
An exclusive Finance Secretary in Finance Department is nominated by the Finance
Department for performing functions related to budget implementation and allocation
within the overall ways and means position of the state.
An administrative and Technical Support Unit (ATSU) will be created at Nodal
Departments to assist respective Nodal Agency performs functions and duties
assigned to it. Provision has also been made for creating a Sub-Plan Research
Centre at Centre for Economic and Social Studies CESS which will strengthen the
Nodal Department of Social Welfare in identification of gaps in development
indicators, conduct research on equity and other related issues along with monitoring
and evaluation of the SCSP.
The State Council has identified nine departments for establishing Sub Plan support
Unit to strengthen Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan. It is proposed to set up Sub Plan
Support Units in Rural Development, Housing, Agriculture (one for entire sector),
Education (one for entire sector), Drinking Water (one for entire sector), Health,
Women and Child Development, Roads (including PR and R & B) and Planning
Department.
District Monitoring Committees will be constituted in each district with the District
Collector as its Chairman and responsible for implementation of the Scheduled
Castes Sub-Plan in the district. It will be convened by District Social Welfare Officer.
Provision is also made for strengthening State, District and Sub-District units through
providing

necessary

staff,

guidelines,

training

for

staff

for

the

effective

implementation and monitoring of the SCSP.

In view of the identified objectives, framework and institutional arrangements as
detailed above, various units involved in preparation of SCSP in its first budget
exercise has tentatively made department wise scheme wise and program wise
allocations.

Allocations under SCSP in AP Budget 2015-16:

The Government, vide G.O Ms.No.17 Plg. (VIII) Department, dated 07-08-2014 has
fixed 17.10% of the Annual Plan to be earmarked for SCSP. Accordingly,
Rs.34,41,247 Crs has been taken as the base for arriving at the SCSP outlay for
2015-16. The total plan outlay of the SCSP derived at 17.08%, comes to an
allocation of Rs.5877.96 Crs. Keeping in view the given norms of allotment, and the
recommendations of the Nodal Agency, the outlay of the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan
for the year 2015-16 is worked out to be Rs.5877.96 Crs. The outlay includes the
deemed allocation of Rs.407.83 Crs attributed @7% of cost for non-divisible
infrastructure works in those departments.

Sl.
No.

Department-wise
Sub-Plan Allocations:
2014-15

1 CRD/SERP
Commissioner, Social
2
Welfare
Secretary, AP SWERI
3
Society
VC & MD, AP SCCFC
4
Limited
5 C.Es of Panchayat Raj
6 Engineer in Chief, RWS
7 MD, Housing Corp Ltd.,
Commissioner,
8
Agriculture
Commissioner,
9
Horticulture
Director, Animal
10
Husbandry
Commissioner,
11
Fisheries
Commissioner,
12
Intermediate Edn.,
Commissioner,
13
Technical Edn.,
Commissioner,
14
Collegiate Edn.,
State Project Director,
15
SSA
School Education &
16
RMSA

Outlays
approved for
SCSP 2014-15
(Rs. In crores)

Outlays %
variations
approved by
SCSP
(Rs. In Crores)

670

1397.56

717.15

1198.34

244

216

493

448.39

100
100
250

110.00
133.75
256.92

880

106.90

15

40.41

10

9.74

8.25

10.13

15

---

10

9.95

25

1.02

65.44

308.45

34.56

68.13

Percentage of
variations (+
or -)
108.59
67.09
-11.47
-9.04
10
33.75
2.76
-87.85
169.43
-2.51
22.85
15
-0.42
-95.90
371.35
97.14
5

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

1
2
3
4
5
6

Director, Employment &

Training
Commissioner, Family
Welfare
Medical Education
Women Development &
Child Welfare
Disabled Welfare
Industries & LIDCAP
A.P. TRANSCO
Municipal Administration
Secretary, IT & Dept.,
Minor Irrigation &
APSIDC
Director, Cultural Affairs
Planning
Total distributed to
Departments
Budget earmarked for
deemed expenditure
under Sec 11(d)
Major & Medium
Irrigation
Command Area
Development Authority
Flood Control &
Drainage
R&B
Medical Education Infra
Infrastructure &
Investment
Total under Sec 11(d)
Grand Total

7.85

71.5

127.3

15

--

150

308.47

0.6
210
25
100
20

0.85
263.19
36.19
177.83
28.32

26.5

34.27

3
16

4.5
85.4

4,278

5,470.12

169.36

177.70

14.53

8.24

9.14

5.54

95.13
4.8

68.39
21.52

3.5

12.15

296.47
4,574.47

407.83
5,877.96

161.92
78.04
15
105.64
42.76
25.33
44.77
77.83
41.61
29.341
50
433.75
27.86

4.92
-43.27
-39.28
-28.10
348.43
247.28
37.56
28.49

A comparison of sub-plan allocations for the years 2015-16 show variations

over previous year (2014-15). There is an increase over 100 per cent under SCSP
allocation for SERP and this is mainly because of enhancement of weaker section
pensions from Rs.200 to Rs.1000/- P.M.
The other major increase is under Sarvasiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and School
Education though the enhancements in education are welcome feature, but these
additional allocations should be specifically utilized for the schemes which provide
quality education. For S.C. Children. Allocations to Social Welfare Residential
schools and APSC Finance Corporations are very low and discouraging
Gaps Identified in the sub-plan
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Some observations on the Sub-Plan document of budget 2014-15, and 2015-16 with
regard to identification of gaps :
1. Land ownership :
In the sub-plan document, it was identified that there are 2,90,654 poor SC
landless families in the State. This number is very small compared to nearly 21 lakh
SC households in the State, of which, majority are from the rural areas and being
landless agricultural labourers.

The realistic approach of assessing the correct

landless SC families is necessary in working out the sub-plan.

2. Gaps identified in Agriculture :
There are 11.6% of cultivators among SCs in the State as per the statistics
available. But the average land holdings of these households are very small and
majority of them having 50 cents to less than 1 acre which consists of mostly rainfed,
unirrigated and barren lands. It is appropriate to allot atleast 3 acres of dry land or 1
acres irrigated land for a family to have a reasonable livelihood from agriculture.
In the unirrigated lands, minor irrigation and horticultural schemes may be proposed
through APSC Finance Corporation.
3. Gaps in Social Security:
The present scheme of enhancing Rs.1000/- per month pension under Social
Security Scheme seems to be reasonable, keeping in view the availability of funds
from Govt. sources.
4. Gaps identified in Health and Nutrition:
The health and nutritional standards of SC, ST families are found to be
lagging far behind the general categories. There is a need to strengthen the existing
programmes and fill the gaps by allotting more funds under sub-plan of Health
Sector and streamline the existing schemes. The mid-day meal scheme should be
streamlined by enhancing the per capita expenditure under SCSP to provide better
nutritious meal and making the scheme more effective as it was done in other states
like Tamilnadu.
5. Gaps in Gender Disparities:
The female literacy and gender gaps among SC, ST girls is more, there is a
need to strengthen the existing schemes.
6. Gaps in Literacy, Higher Education and Skills Development:
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Even though the enrolment of SC children in the schools is satisfactory, the

dropout rates are still high (39.64%). The education available in the Govt. schools in
the rural areas are not up to the mark and the students who are educated in the
telugu medium in these schools are totally unfit to compete with other categories in
getting decent jobs. Quality education is very essential in the Govt. schools, which
needs total revamp, so that Govt. schools should be able to compete with the private
schools. At present, an average expenditure of Rs.800/- per capita is incurred on
Govt. schools according to Economic survey, which is quite inadequate compared to
other per capita expenditure spent on Navodaya schools (Rs.6,000/- per student) or
Residential Schools (Per capita Rs.11,000/-) compared to private schools
(Rs.36,000/-). Government instead of spending more money in meeting the costs by
admitting the children in the private schools under sub-plan by spending even
Rs.36,000/- per candidate per annum, Government should enhance allocation of
money spent on Government schools which cater to SC / ST students, and enhance
allocations to Residential schools Navodaya Schools for opening more number,
which will ensure wider coverage and help in Universal education and providing
competition to private schools.

The additional expenditure in opening best

government schools / residential schools can be met from sub-plan. This aspect
may be carefully examined, while preparing the sub-plan.
7. Gaps in Infrastructure:
There is no specific mention in the sub-plan among the gaps identified in the
Infrastructure. Many of the SC colonies still do not have protected water supply even
in cases where RWS scheme available in the village. Under SC sub-plan, it should
be ensured that 100% villages are covered under protected water supply and other
infrastructure like roads, drainage and electricity.
Priorities for Sub-Plan 2015-16:

The schemes under Non-divisible pool should not be included in the SC / ST

sub-plan, which is against the guidelines of Govt. of India, as this will reduce the
total outlay of the sub-plan in real terms.

As per the recommendations of Governors Committee headed by Mr. P.C.

Alexander, the Secretary, Social Justice of the state should be made as the head
of the Nodal Agency as in Maharashtra and not the Chief Minister nor any other
Minister, since the powers exercised under sub-plan are executive powers.
8

However, Chief Minister and other Ministerial Committee can review sub-plan
activities any time atleast once in a year. Under SC sub-plan, the Secretary,
Social Welfare will have the powers of Finance Secretary as far as sub-plan is
concerned.

Nodal Authority shall have powers to pool up the funds under sub-plan as per the
government guidelines and reallocated to the needy schemes which actually
benefit the SCs / STs directly.

Funds under sub-plan should be made non-lapsable at the end of the financial
year.

Nodal Authority shall ensure communication of district segments of sub-plan, to

Dist. Collectors head of the Dept. wise, sector-wise and scheme-wise. District
level plans need to be prepared before May-June of a financial year for effective
implementation.

Decentralized, village level plans may be worked out for sub-plan to be

integrated at District level.

A perspective 10 year plan may be worked out for sub-plan of which annual plan
is part of it.

Mechanisms for Monitoring and Evaluation of sub-plan at district and state level
may be worked out for effective implementation.
&&&

..

10