Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP)

The Special Component Plan (SCP) and the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) are two major policy instruments introduced by the Government of India to ensure the socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) respectively. These plans aim to address historical inequalities and bridge the developmental gap between socially disadvantaged communities and the rest of the population. Both strategies were conceptualised as part of India’s broader framework of inclusive growth and social justice, ensuring targeted allocation of resources within national and state plans.

Historical Background and Evolution

The origins of SCP and TSP can be traced to the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974–79), a period that marked a shift in India’s approach towards planned development for marginalised groups. Prior to this, welfare programmes for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were scattered and lacked a systematic framework. The Planning Commission, recognising the inadequacy of general welfare measures, introduced these sub-plans to guarantee that development benefits reached the most marginalised sections directly.

• Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) was first initiated in 1974–75 to promote the development of Scheduled Tribes in integrated tribal areas.
• Special Component Plan (SCP) was launched soon after for Scheduled Castes, ensuring a dedicated proportion of the development outlay for their upliftment.

Over time, these plans became central features of the Five-Year Plan strategy, influencing both central and state government budgeting processes.

Objectives and Philosophy

Both SCP and TSP share common developmental goals, while being tailored to the specific needs of their respective beneficiary groups. Their major objectives include:

• Targeted Resource Allocation: Ensuring a proportionate share of plan outlay in accordance with the population of SCs and STs.
• Direct Benefit Flow: Guaranteeing that benefits from the allocated funds reach individuals, households, and communities belonging to SCs and STs.
• Reduction of Developmental Disparities: Narrowing socio-economic gaps in education, health, employment, and infrastructure.
• Empowerment and Inclusion: Promoting self-reliance and participation in decision-making processes.
• Integrated Development: Addressing both sectoral and regional imbalances through coordinated interventions.

Structure and Implementation Mechanism

Under the planning framework, both SCP and TSP are implemented through a “sub-plan approach”, meaning that each ministry, department, and state government is required to earmark a specific percentage of its plan outlay for the development of SCs and STs.

• The Special Component Plan (SCP) mandates that the outlay should be roughly proportionate to the percentage of the SC population in the total population of the concerned state or Union Territory.
• The Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) similarly allocates funds in proportion to the ST population.

These earmarked funds are not meant for general schemes but are to be directed towards schemes exclusively benefiting SCs and STs, or ensuring at least a proportionate benefit to them in mixed schemes.
Implementation is overseen by nodal departments at both the central and state levels, such as the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for SCP and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for TSP. Monitoring mechanisms include periodic reporting, performance evaluation, and expenditure tracking.

Funding and Allocation Process

Under SCP and TSP, funds are sourced from the Plan Outlays of Ministries and Departments, rather than being separate schemes. The Plan budget is “disaggregated” to ensure that every sector—agriculture, health, education, housing, and infrastructure—contributes proportionately to SC/ST development.
The Guidelines of the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) require that:

• The funds under SCP and TSP are non-divertible and non-lapsable.
• Separate budget heads are created in ministries for proper accounting.
• The physical and financial targets for SCs and STs are clearly identified in each plan.

In the post-2017 period, following the abolition of the Planning Commission, the approach continues under the framework of Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) within the Union Budget, integrating it into the outcome-based budgeting system.

Major Sectors of Development

Both SCP and TSP have contributed to the advancement of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in multiple fields. Prominent sectors include:

• Education: Construction of hostels, scholarships, and coaching facilities to promote literacy and higher education.
• Health: Establishment of primary health centres and nutrition programmes targeted at vulnerable groups.
• Employment and Skill Development: Creation of training centres and entrepreneurship promotion through schemes like Stand-Up India and National SC/ST Hub.
• Housing and Infrastructure: Implementation of housing schemes, village electrification, and safe drinking water projects in SC/ST localities.
• Agriculture and Allied Activities: Provision of land, irrigation facilities, and livestock development to promote self-employment.

In tribal areas, special emphasis is placed on minor forest produce, tribal crafts, and preservation of cultural identity.

Achievements and Impact

Over the decades, the SCP and TSP have contributed significantly to improving the socio-economic conditions of marginalised communities. Key achievements include:

• Substantial improvement in literacy rates among SCs and STs.
• Enhanced access to education and health facilities.
• Increased participation of SC/ST entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises.
• Improved rural infrastructure and livelihood opportunities in tribal and backward areas.

These initiatives have also contributed to reducing poverty among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, though disparities still persist in comparison to the general population.

Challenges and Criticism

Despite their positive contributions, the SCP and TSP frameworks have faced criticism due to several structural and operational limitations:

• Diversion of Funds: Allocated funds are often diverted to general schemes or underutilised due to poor planning and monitoring.
• Lack of Accountability: Weak institutional mechanisms and inadequate reporting systems hinder transparency.
• Insufficient Targeting: Benefits sometimes fail to reach the most marginalised groups within SC/ST communities.
• Underestimation of Needs: Allocations based solely on population percentages do not always reflect the depth of deprivation.
• Fragmented Implementation: Lack of coordination between central and state agencies leads to inefficiencies.

Experts and committees, such as the Task Force on Development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (1980) and the Planning Commission Working Groups, have recommended stronger institutional mechanisms and community participation to make these plans more effective.

Recent Developments and Policy Reforms

In recent years, the Government of India has restructured these frameworks to improve efficiency and transparency. The Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) have been rebranded as the Scheduled Caste Component (SCC) and Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) under the Union Budget classification.
Key reforms include:

• Outcome-Based Monitoring: Linking budget allocations with measurable developmental outcomes.
• Online Dashboards: Platforms such as the SC/ST Component Monitoring System track fund utilisation in real time.
• Integration with Flagship Schemes: Ensuring SC/ST benefits under national programmes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

Significance

The Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub Plan represent India’s enduring commitment to social justice and equitable development. They embody the constitutional mandate under Articles 46 and 275, which direct the state to promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and protect them from social injustice.