Implement SCSP-TSP scheme or face cases: Karnataka Social Welfare Minister warns officials

Bengaluru, Jul 9 (PTI) Karnataka’s Minister for Social Welfare H C Mahadevappa on Wednesday warned that cases will be registered against officials who fail to implement the SCSP-TSP scheme -- an initiative designed for the development of Scheduled Communities by the central government.

The minister was speaking at a meeting at Vidhana Soudha to discuss the Action Plan for 2025-26.

“Even two years after this government came to power, the fact that some departments are not working as expected regarding the objectives of the SCSP-TSP Act disappoints me. If officers do not wake up, I will not hesitate to register cases against such individuals,” Mahadevappa is quoted as saying in a press release issued by his office.

After holding a meeting spanning over eight hours with 34 government departments, the minister directed officials to report on the status of the various development programmes meant for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, added the press release.

The minister also wanted the officials to give information on the improvement in the quality of life of Scheduled Communities, especially women, achieved through the government's guarantee schemes, according to the release.

“Though the government has formulated many programmes for the upliftment of Scheduled Communities, the lack of reflection of such benefits in their lives disappoints me. The government must work more effectively in this regard,” he was quoted as saying.

At the meeting, discussions were also held regarding the allocation of Rs 54 lakh for education and health, and Rs 16 lakh for employment opportunities of families of former Devadasi women residing in the state.

The minister also proposed that the Energy Department should bear the electricity expenses of residential schools meant for children from Scheduled Communities.

According to Mahadevappa, an Ambedkar Research Centre should be established at GKVK Agricultural University in Bengaluru to study in depth the ideas of Babasaheb Ambedkar regarding agriculture and irrigation.

The minister also suggested that the Kannada and Culture Department work to create greater awareness about the ideology of Ambedkar, which centered on social justice, equality, and the upliftment of marginalised communities.

Satish Jarkiholi, Minister for Public Works and Venkatayya, Advisor to the Social Welfare Department were also present for the meeting. PTI JR ROH