Hyderabad: With only a few months left before the next state budget, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has directed heads of various departments to submit a detailed report on the spending under the SC, ST Sub-Plan Act for the current financial year. He stressed the importance of adhering to the guidelines outlined in the Act.
During a review meeting at the Secretariat, Bhatti highlighted the need to ensure that funds allocated for the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are used effectively and within the legal framework. He reviewed the budget allocations for different departments, examined how the funds were spent, and inquired about any unutilized amounts from the previous budget. He asked officials to strictly implement the SC, ST Sub-Plan and submit detailed spending reports within a month. Bhatti assured that the state government is fully committed to the Act’s effective execution.
To strengthen the implementation, the Deputy CM ordered the formation of a support unit specifically for this purpose. He assigned the Principal Secretary of Finance to oversee the allocation and expenditure of funds, ensuring strict adherence to the plan. Bhatti also emphasized the importance of monitoring and evaluation through research units to assess the impact of these welfare measures.
The government has called for strict compliance with the Act and closer scrutiny to ensure that welfare programs for SC and ST communities receive adequate support and funding as mandated by law.