Assembly erupts in chaos over SC/ST welfare funding cuts

Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly, V.D. Satheesan along with opposition MLAs come out after boycotting the Legislative Assembly Session alleging cuts in SC/ST Plan funds, in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

The Kerala Assembly witnessed intense protests by the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) on Thursday after Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan accused Speaker A.N. Shamseer of repeatedly interrupting his speech during an adjournment motion.

The heated debate centred around allegations that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had cut funding for welfare schemes meant for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). The government, in turn, accused the Opposition of misleading marginalised communities with false claims.

Congress MLA A.P. Anil Kumar, who gave notice for the adjournment motion, raised concerns over the drastic cuts in the Plan funds allocated to SC/ST welfare schemes. He claimed that only ₹162 crore out of the ₹86,000 crore sanctioned through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) had been earmarked for the SCs, warning that such actions would further marginalise these communities. He also raised issues of delayed disbursements of post-matric scholarships for SC students and increasing dropout rates.

Countering the claims, Minister for Welfare of SC, ST and Backward Classes O.R. Kelu pointed out that despite the Centre having fixed income ceilings for educational grants, the State government has been extending the assistance irrespective of family income.

He also highlighted a significant increase in spending on educational grants, from ₹233 crore to ₹594.96 crore, claiming that the allocations were proportionate to the SC and ST populations in the State.

Mr. Satheesan, however, claimed that the Plan fund allocation for SC/ST welfare had remained stagnant for nearly five years. He accused the government of violating its constitutional obligation to reserve scheme allocations: 10% for the SCs and 2% for the STs. Citing a government order of January 22, he pointed out that the order had slashed scheme allocations for these communities.

The heated exchange led to the Speaker cutting short Mr. Satheesan’s address, citing that he had exceeded his allocated time. This provoked UDF members to rush to the well of the House, raising placards and chanting slogans.

Despite the unrelenting sloganeering, the Speaker expedited the day’s business including the passage of the final supplementary demands for grants in the Budget for the 2024-25 fiscal and the tabling of two crucial Bills and their subsequent referral to the subject committee without discussions in nearly 15 minutes. The House will next reconvene on March 3.