Tribal organisation seeks full utilisation of SC/ST sub-plan funds in Tamil Nadu

The Tribal Liberation Movement has urged the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that funds allocated under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) are fully utilised for the social, economic, and educational development of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.

In a representation to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the organisation’s State coordinator V. Agathiyan said the State had allocated ₹20,365.64 crore for SCSP and ₹1,879.09 crore for TSP for 2025-26, taking the total allocation to ₹22,244.73 crore. The allocations were made against the State’s annual plan outlay of ₹92,691.64 crore.

Pointing out that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes account for 20.01% and 1.17% of Tamil Nadu’s population respectively, according to the 2011 Census, he said the funds must translate into benefits for the communities.

The organisation called for greater allocations towards agricultural development, including drip irrigation, for SC/ST farmers. Subsidies must be provided to enable women to establish small-scale enterprises.

Emphasising the need to improve basic amenities in remote tribal settlements, the organisation also sought priority for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in housing, education, nutrition, healthcare, and livelihood programmes.

Mr. Agathiyan urged the government to establish special cells in every District Collector’s office to implement SC/ST sub-plan schemes.

The organisation called for unspent funds to be carried forward and the release of an annual White Paper on SCSP and TSP implementation, followed by a discussion in the Legislative Assembly.