Dalit funds must be safeguarded: Ramdas Athavale

Republican Party of India (RPI) president Ramdas Athavale has demanded the enactment of a law that would safeguard funds for the development of Dalits and ensure they are not used for any other purpose, except for their social welfare.

“The state government, in every budget, provides funds for the development of Dalits and adivasis on the basis of their population. In order to ensure that the money is not diverted to any other department but only used by the social justice department, the government needs to form an act. Also, if the funds are not used in a particular year, they should be carried forward to the next year,” Mr Athavale told reporters here on Sunday.

He said that he has placed his demand before chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has assured him that an Act would be formed soon. “Up till now, money was either being diverted to some other department or if funds remained unused, they got lapsed. This prevented the Dalit and adivasis from getting their rightful share of funds and deprived them of development,” he said.

Till today, in either cases, responsibility was not fixed and action not taken due to which funds have been periodically used for purposes other than the development of Dalits or the funds got lapsed. “Once an Act is enacted, people will be made accountable. The CM has assured that an Act to safeguard funds meant for Dalits and adivasis will be formed and implemented across the state soon,” he said.