PRESS INVITATION 27 April, 2013 at 11.00 am : AP Bhavan, New Delhi

PRESS INVITATION

Sub: Implementation of Special Component  Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) at the national level
The Union budget was presented in the parliament a few months ago by the finance minister and in his speech reinforced the focus on empowering marginalized groups, 㼯span>We have examples of States growing at a fast rate, but leaving behind women, the scheduled castes, the scheduled tribes, the minorities, and some backward classes. The UPA does not accept that model. The UPA Government believes in inclusive development, with emphasis on improving human development indicators. I hope this Budget will be yet another testimony to that commitment䠂ut year after year this promise has been made by many governments but today in spite of the growing economy the two communities continue to suffer due to economic marginalization. It has been 30 odd years since the SCP and TSP came into being but the implementation remains poor and the funds do not flow directly for the benefit of the communities.

It has been encouraging to see that༯span>Andhra Pradesh is the first State that made an Act in the Assembly with regard to the implementation of Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan for the effective implementation of funds year marked to these communities in the budgetary provisions for the welfare of these two neglected sections for over decades together and to bring them on par with the mainstream society in terms of education, employment, health and economy for which the budgetary provision has been made.

Though the central government introduced the SCP and TSP way back in 1974 (For Tribal) and 1980 (For SCS), its implementation has been found tardy and the funds allocated were never spent for what they are meant and heavy diversions were made in each State. The legislation has become an act in AP only because of the continuous struggle by Dalit Organizations, Political parties and media.

There has been a continuous struggle in Andhra Pradesh for its effective utilization, Dalit Organizations, Political parties and media were brought together by the sincere and serious efforts by the Centre for Dalit Studies. Along with other organizations which are seriously and continuously working on this issue since last twelve years, brought pressure on the Government with an agenda of making an Act which ensures speedy and sincere implementation and it is only the ACT which could address all the issues concerned.

The National Coalition on SCP/TSP legislation comprises of about 100 Dalit and Adivasi/Tribal organizations from 18 states across the country. This Coalition has been working towards strengthening the economic rights of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes by focusing on SCP and TSP in several States as well as at the national level.

The AP legislation is definitely an encouragement to the communities and the coalition also demands a SCP/TSP legislation at the center. We therefore desire to hold a meeting with the media to focus on this important issue which shall ensure the effective implementation for the economic empowerment of the neglected and marginalized communities. We invite all the members of the media to attend or depute a representative to the media meeting and contribute to the success of the campaign on SCP/TSP at national level.
Below are some of the special guest speakers:
Inaugural Addressࠠࠠ : P S Krishnan, Former Secretary, Government of India

Guests   ࠼/span>: K Raju, IAS, Additional Secretary, NAC, New Delhi

  ࠦnbsp; ࠺ K Ramachandra Murthy, Chief Editor, The Hans India, HMTV

  ࠦ: K Srinivasa Reddy, Former Secretary General, IJU
Date: 27 April, 2013 at 11.00 am Venue: AP Bhavan, New Delhi
Kind Regards,

N Paul Divakar

on behalf of the National Coalition on SCP TSP Legislation