All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisation’s held a press conference today at Jammu . R K Kalsotra State President Confederation flanked by Ramesh Sarmal, Dr Ramesh Kaith, Suraj Parkash Ashok Birpuri, Rattan Lal Bhagat, Hari Ram Bhagat all executive members.

R K Kalsotra apprising the media persons on the recently announced Central and State Budget and said that for the first time, the Government of India has not made a separate provision in the 2024-25 budget which is announced to be Rs 1.48 lakh crore without (SCP)Special  Component Plan) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP). This is the first time that on the basis of the population which is 22.5% of SC/ST at National level, a separate budget of 33000 crores should have been kept for the exclusive development  in all over development of these communities.

This time, Rs 44278 crore has been announced in the budget of 2024-25 for UT-Jammu Kashmir, in that too no separate provision has been made for (SCP) Special Component Plan and (TSP) Tribal Sub Plan. On the basis of the 2011 census in Jammu Kashmir, the population of SC and ST is about 20%, so on that basis a separate budget of Rs 8855 crore should have been kept for the special development in the overall development of these communities.

Ever since the budget is being presented, the present government has for the first time removed the names of SC/ST from the budget, to make sure that neither the bamboo remains nor the flute is played.

Kalsotra further said that earlier governments used to misuse and divert SCP and TSP funds of SC ST and opposition parties and SC ST used to protest against the government but the present government has ended this fight! Now whether the government spends some of the budget on the development of SC ST or not, no one will blame the government.

He demanded from Government to not discard the old practice of bifurcation of SCP & TSP & Govt should rectify and re-announce the share of SC/ST under SCP & TSP for their exclusive and all over development.

One very important  local issue is also raised in Press Conference that on 26.07.2024 Chairman J&K PSC, issues a notification for the  recruitment of 90 JKAS and there  is some discrepancy in in the advertisement. Under the roster for 90 seats, 6 seats are shown for SC instead of 7, 6 for OBC instead of 8 and 6 for Actual Control/Border Line instead of 3. Through  media  our our advise to  the Chief Secy, & Chairman PSC to rectify  and readvertisement again.