http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/25/stories/2007072560880500.htm
Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad Nodal agency for SC, ST sub-plans soon Special Correspondent HYDERABAD: A nodal agency headed by the Chief Minister will be constituted shortly to monitor the implementation of the sub-plans of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. Announcing this in the Assembly on Tuesday in response to a consistent demand made by the CPI (M), CPI, Telangana Rashtra Samiti and BSP, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy said the agency will meet once in six months to ensure that the funds earmarked for these sections in various departments were spent. Earlier, the CPI (M), CPI, TRS and BSP members squatted in the podium in support of their demand. They alleged that the Government had failed to implement the Special component plan for SCs and STs. Replying to a query by Paturu Ramaiah (CPI M), Social Welfare Minister P. Subash Chandra Bose said a high-powered committee comprising legislators and officials had been constituted to study the implementation of welfare programmes for the weaker sections. It would visit Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh before submitting its report. Not convinced with the Minister's reply, the Opposition members raised slogans demanding constitution of nodal agency. On Monday, 22 SC/ST legislators belonging to the Congress, CPI (M), CPI and TRS resolved to seek the establishment of the nodal agency. Convened by Dara Sambaiah, Congress MLA from Santanutalapadu (Prakasam district), the meeting called for separate enactment on the plans.
