The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, has passionately declared that no individual from the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities will be left behind as the state advances towards becoming a dynamic, knowledge-based economy. This powerful statement was delivered during his inauguration of the State-level ‘Social Solidarity Festival’ at the Durga Higher Secondary School auditorium in Kanhangad.
The festival, an initiative designed to integrate marginalized communities fully into the mainstream, resonates deeply with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision. Its inspiring theme for this year is ‘Let’s Jump into Knowledge and Employment,’ emphasizing a commitment to education and economic opportunity for all.
During his address, Mr. Vijayan highlighted several impactful government programs aimed at empowering these communities. Among them is the Unnati Scholarship, which has already enabled over 1,000 deserving students from socially and economically backward backgrounds to pursue higher education at international universities. He also proudly noted the Palakkad Medical College Hospital, managed by the Scheduled Caste Development Department, from which 413 SC and 15 ST students have successfully graduated as medical doctors since 2014.
Further underscoring the state’s dedication, the government is actively running TRACE (Training for Career Excellence), a program that has provided professional training and stipends to more than 5,000 students. Other key initiatives include the study room scheme, which has benefited over 40,000 households, the creation of smart study rooms specifically for ST students, the Tribal Plus Employment Scheme, and the Vidya Vahini transport service, ensuring children in remote areas have access to education.
A Pointed Critique of Central Allocations
In a sharp comparison of resource allocation, the Chief Minister openly criticized the Central government for earmarking only 6.3% of its budget for Scheduled Tribes. In stark contrast, Kerala dedicates a significant 12.7% of its annual plan expenditure to SC-ST welfare. Mr. Vijayan stated that these figures highlight a clear divergence in approaches, lamenting the continuing rise of atrocities against marginalized sections across the nation.
He also detailed the broad reach of the E-Grant Scholarships, which have been extended to 1.3 million students, including 450,000 SC and 80,000 ST students, without imposing income restrictions. Furthermore, under the ambitious LIFE Mission housing project, 28% of the 450,000 constructed homes have been allocated to SC or ST families, and 32,680 existing homes have received crucial upgrades through the SAFE project.
The ‘Social Solidarity’ campaign is set to run for two weeks, featuring comprehensive programs focused on education, health, housing, employment, forest rights, anti-drug awareness, and disaster management training. These events will be systematically rolled out across all constituencies and local administrative bodies. The inauguration ceremony was presided over by O.R. Kelu, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes, with Forest and Wildlife Minister A.K. Saseendran attending as the chief guest.