KOCHI: The Ambedkarite Democratic Front (ADF), on Wednesday, announced its support to the Congress-led UDF, alleging that the development projects implemented by the Left have neglected Adivasi, Dalit, and other marginalised communities.
The ADF, in a statement, said that ordinary taxpayers, including Dalits, Adivasis, fishermen, and low-income groups, are not beneficiaries of projects such as Vizhinjam Port, national highways, and tunnel roads as they represent a different development model.
“Only 10% of the Plan Fund (which itself is just one-seventh of the total budget) is allocated for SC/ST development, and a large portion of this is reportedly underutilised. It is alleged that Rs 7,411 crore from SC/ST funds has been wasted over the past nine years. This has adversely affected the education sector. Due to delays in disbursing e-grants, around 150 SC/ST students have reportedly dropped out of their studies,” said K Ambujakshan, working president, ADF.
The ADF is a joint platform of around 65 SC/ST organisations. According to them, there is a general sentiment among SC/ST groups that a continuation of Left rule would endanger the survival of marginalised sections.
The association also alleged that Minister O R Kelu’s claim that e-grants have been distributed without arrears is not true. “Merely renaming ‘colonies’ as ‘Unnathi’ has not brought real change, and even the 19,000 acres of land handed over by the central government for landless people have not been distributed. Although a significant portion of funds in the LIFE housing scheme comes from SC/ST allocations, beneficiaries from these communities are reportedly neglected,” according to M Geethanandan, general convenor of ADF.