THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP Kerala State General Secretary P. Sudheer has made serious allegations against the CPI (M) led Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government on July 15. According to Sudheer, the state government has been denying the rightful benefits to SC-ST students in Kerala. Sudheer called for a thorough investigation into the distribution of benefits among these students over the last decade.
Sudheer pointed out similarities between the misappropriation of funds on a statewide level and the misappropriation of SC-ST funds in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. As a result of this misconduct, approximately 10 lakh people are being deprived of their entitled benefits. Specifically, students pursuing Plus 1 and Plus 2 courses should receive Rs 8,500 per annum, but around 2.5 lakh students are not receiving this amount. Additionally, about 40,000 students in the professional sector are supposed to receive Rs 12,000 each, but these funds are also not reaching them.
Moreover, Lower Primary and Upper Primary students belonging to SC-ST sections are also being denied their rightful benefits. These students’ benefits have not been adjusted to accommodate the increased cost of living.
Sudheer believes that the Kerala government’s actions are negatively impacting SC-ST students and causing a significant drop-out rate among them. He expressed concern over the lack of a conducive atmosphere for these students in the state. Tragic incidents, such as the suicides of two students in Malappuram district during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a lack of facilities for digital classes, highlight the severity of the situation.
The government’s withdrawal from the “Gothrasaradhi” scheme, intended to support Vanvasi students’ education, is another aspect of concern raised by Sudheer. This move is expected to adversely affect the education of these students.
The exposure of such issues by a BJP leader is alarming, especially considering the government’s claims of being the protector of weaker sections and the downtrodden. The situation demands immediate attention and a proper investigation into the allocation and distribution of benefits to ensure that SC-ST students receive the support they deserve.
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