Error rectified! Members of backward, scheduled communities included in planning board

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following strong protests over the complete exclusion of certain groups during the formation of the State Planning Board, the UDF government expanded the board to include representatives from backward and scheduled communities.

This expansion was made possible by the inclusion of Dr SS Lal—a health expert and former state president of the All India Professional Congress—C.H. Abdul Rahim, Chairman of the Social Advanced Foundation of India, and Ministers Bindu Krishna and K A Thulasi. With these additions, the board now comprises a total of 15 members.

Kerala Kaumudi reported on October 22nd that individuals from backward and scheduled communities were sidelined in the appointments to the Board. The Board, chaired by the Chief Minister and comprising five ministers, also included a Vice-Chairman and five expert members—yet not a single person from the backward or scheduled communities was among them.

The report further highlighted that individuals from backward communities had been overlooked in appointments to the leadership positions of various cultural institutions. Subsequently, a memorandum—signed by over 30 people, including leaders of various backward and Dalit organisations, social and cultural activists, and representatives from the Sree Narayana Manava Dharma Trust and MECA—was submitted to the Chief Minister, VD Satheesan, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Additionally, Minister Bindu Krishna sent a letter to the Chief Minister calling for the inclusion of women.

Rahul Gandhi’s intervention:

After reviewing a collective memorandum from leaders of the backward communities, Rahul Gandhi forwarded it to VD Satheesan, instructing that the demands be considered sympathetically. Subsequently, the board was expanded. During the assembly election campaign, Rahul Gandhi assured e that if the UDF government came to power, the demands of the backward communities would be given due consideration.