Planning Board, cultural bodies under fire; UDF appointments spark outrage over neglect of backward and Scheduled communities

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Strong protests have erupted over the alleged complete exclusion of backward and Scheduled communities from appointments made so far by the UDF government to head the State Planning Board and cultural institutions. Discrimination against non-savarna communities is also evident in appointments to university syndicates and the personal staff of ministers. Demands are growing for adequate representation for communities that constitute a large majority of the population in other cultural institutions, boards and corporations as well, to ensure social justice.

The State Planning Board plays a crucial role in determining the state's financial position and allocating resources. The board has considerable powers to ensure that neglected communities receive the funds they are entitled to under plan allocations and that resources are distributed equitably.

Leaders of backward community organisations allege that their communities have been completely sidelined in the appointments of the Planning Board chairman and its four expert members. Not a single person from the backward, Scheduled or Muslim communities has been appointed to these positions, they allege.

Backward and Scheduled community representation is limited to only a handful of people among the personal staff of the Chief Minister and the 20 ministers, as well as among those nominated to university syndicates.

Cultural Institutions: Appointments made so far

Forward-community representation:

• President of the Sahitya Akademi

• Chairman of the Sangeetha Nataka Akademi

• Chairman of the Lalithakala Akademi
• Vice-chairman of the State Chalachitra Akademi
• Chairman of the Cultural Workers' Welfare Fund

Backward-community representation:

• Chairman of the State Chalachitra Akademi
• Chairman of the Film Development Corporation
• Secretary of the Sahitya Akademi

Joint memorandum submitted to Chief Minister

A joint memorandum seeking due consideration for backward and Scheduled communities in appointments to the Planning Board and various boards and corporations was submitted to Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan. The memorandum was signed by more than 30 people, including leaders of various backward and Scheduled community organisations, members of the Muslim Employees Cultural Association, and prominent figures from the social and cultural spheres. Dr G. Mohan Gopal, V. R. Joshi, Dr A. Neelalohitha Das, Dr M. Sharangadharan and S. Kuttappan Chettiar led the initiative.