Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that no Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe community member should be left behind in the State’s progress towards a knowledge-based econony.
He was inaugurating the State-level ‘Social Solidarity Festival’ at the Durga Higher Secondary School of auditorium in Kanhangad.
The Chief Minister said the festival’s aim is to bring marginalised communities into the mainstream. This year’s theme, ‘Let’s Jump into Knowledge and Employment’ reflects Mahatma Gandhi’s vision.
Highlighting government initiatives, Mr. Vijayan highlighted various welfare initiatives, including the Unnati Scholarship, under which over 1,000 socially and economically backward students have already secured admissions in foreign universities. He also cited the Palakkad Medical College Hospital under the Scheduled Caste Development Department, where 413 SC and 15 ST students have graduated as doctors since 2014.
The government is also implementing TRACE (Training for Career Excellence), which has trained over 5,000 students with stipends and in professional fields. Other measures include the study room scheme covering over 40,000 homes, introduction of smart study rooms for ST students, the Tribal Plus Employment Scheme, and Vidya Vahini transport facilities for children in remote areas.
Censures Centre
Comparing allocations, the Chief Minister criticised the Centre for providing only 6.3% of its budget for Scheduled Tribes, while the state year marks 12.7% of its annual plan expenditure for SC-ST welfare. These figures reveal the difference in approach, he said, adding that atrocities against marginalized sections continue to rise nationally.
The government has also extended E-Grant Scholarships to 13 lakh students, including 4.5 lakh SC and 80,000 ST students, irrespective of income. Under the LIFE Mission project, 28% of the 4.5 lakh houses built have gone to SC or ST families, while 32,680 homes have been upgraded under the SAFE project.
As part of the two-week ‘Social Solidarity’ campaign, programmes on education, health, housing, employment, forest rights, anti-drug awareness, and disaster management awareness will be held across constituencies and local bodies.
Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes O.R. Kelu presided over the function. Forest and Wildlife Minister A.K. Saseendran was the chief guest.
Published – October 02, 2025 05:38 pm IST
