The Department of Planning and Finance is busy preparing the annual Budget for 2017-18 with special provisions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. The provisions would be directed towards poverty alleviation and may also see plans and schemes generating more employment opportunities for the underprivileged sections.
Highly placed sources in the Department said that as many as ten new schemes would be rolled out for the STs, SCs and OBCs aiming for self-employment, extending financing facilities and improving gender equality within the community.
“More plans for self-help groups for the backward sections and linking those with easy and accessible bank loans may come through the Budget for the next fiscal. Also, the Budget may announce to adopt the villages predominantly with ST, SC and OBC population. Some schemes for upgrading skill of women of the community would also figure into it,” said a senior official.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das had earlier presented separate Budgets for agriculture and women and extended the special treatment. This time the Government is planning for inclusion of the socially backward communities. As per the schedule released, the Budget for 2017-18 will be tabled on January 23 in the Assembly.
However, parties in Opposition see this as an attempt to cajole the sections in the light of recent amendments made by the Government in the tenancy laws; i.e. Chottanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (CNT and SPT Acts).
“The Government is just befooling the people. We have seen the fate of separate agriculture and gender budgets presented last year. It is just another gimmick. In fact, it is the SCs, STs and OBCs who are hit hard by the amendment Bills passed by the Government during the Winter Session. Now, they are trying to put a balm on their wounds. But the people of the State have understood this and they are not going to forgive the Government,” said JVM principal general secretary Pradeep Yadav.
The leader also hinted that the Opposition may again resort to disruptions if their demand to recall the amendments is not met. Notably, the entire previous session got washed out due to the disruptions from the Opposition parties spearheaded by the JMM over the twin Bills presented which got passed without any discussion amid unforeseen pandemonium.
The sense is there also in the Government’s camp. “I have requested the Speaker to take some preemptive steps early so that the upcoming session can be made more fruitful for the people. It is the most important session which is going to fix the direction the State is going to take for the next one year.
We have seen subtle changes in the financing policy from the Centre and GST is coming and thus the exercise should not be wasted,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saryu Roy.