Delhi govt widens scope of SC/ST welfare fund meant for MLAs

The Delhi government has decided to substantially increase the list of developmental activities that can be taken up by the city's MLAs using the welfare corpus meant for SCs and STs.
The decision to raise it from the existing five to 27 was taken at a cabinet meeting presided over Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal here today. The fund can be used by MLAs in areas where the SC/ST population is over 33 per cent.
Rajendra Pal Gautam, who has recently taken over charge of the SC/ST and Social Welfare Departments, said the government has also decided to tweak the way the fund can be used.

Under the existing arrangement, a city MLA has to approach the SC/ST department seeking fund for works such as repair or construction of community bathrooms, drains or pavements, unmetalled (kuchha) roads, community centres and approach roads.
"But now the list has been expanded significantly. Works related to libraries, schools and skill development centres among several others can be undertaken using this fund," Gautam told PTI.
Another issue the MLAs intending to utilise this fund were facing revolved around the limited number of agencies that were authorised to take up work.

Only the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (DSIIDC) or the Flood Control and Irrigation Departments could take up work using the welfare fund, which is around Rs 50 crore in the current financial year.

This, he said, was giving rise to situations where the municipal corporations were objecting when a road under its jurisdiction was to be repaired citing the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act.
"After the changes, if a road that is to be repaired is owned by the MCD, then the area MLA can approach it and the civic body can use the welfare fund to get the work done on its own," Gautam said.