It seems likely that the selection of Dalit beneficiaries will be handed over to the MLAs this time as well. The State SC Corporation is making proposals in this regard. In the year 2021–22, 100 units were sanctioned for each assembly segment and the selection of beneficiaries was done on a special initiative by the concerned legislators.
With 1,500 units being allotted to each Assembly constituency this time, the SC Corporation is suggesting to the government that it would be better to hand over the responsibility of selection to the MLAs this time as well. Selection by MLAs in the action plan is to be given priority. However, there is strong opposition at the field level to the responsibility of selecting MLAs.
Unexpected response to the scheme
In 2021–22, the Dalita Bandhu scheme was first implemented in Huzurabad and then in 4 other zones. It has allotted 100 units per Assembly constituency and handed over the responsibility of selection of beneficiaries to the MLAs. CM KCR specifically directed the MLAs to select the beneficiaries on war footing.
This led to proposals from all constituencies over a period of almost a month. In this context, the government has increased the number of beneficiaries from 100 to 1,500 this year. In this budget, Rs 17,700 crore has been allocated for the scheme. The scheme will be implemented on a pilot basis in all the 118 Assembly segments except Huzurabad.
Responsibilities to superiors
In fact the government has not issued any guidelines on the selection of beneficiaries under this scheme. The MLAs also selected the names and submitted the proposals to the government. However, there were allegations that the Dalit bandh was committed by people close to the MLA. Some also suggested that responsibilities should be given to government officials rather than MLAs. It remains to be seen what decision the government will take in this regard.