The UP government’s scheme of 23 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in contracts worth up to Rs 5 lakh became operational on August 1. In the first two months after the scheme was started, the number of contracts awarded to SC/ST contractors was almost the same as were awarded in the previous four months.

In April, May, June and July — four months of the current financial year before the scheme was introduced — 1,202 contracts were awarded to SCs and STs contractors. In August and September, when the scheme was in force, the number of contracts awarded to SCs/STs was 1,190, official sources said. In fact, the total number of contacts awarded in the current year so far has already exceeded the target for the entire year.

It was estimated that the state would have a total of 5,576 contracts of value up to Rs 5 lakh in the current financial year, of which a minimum of 1,393 contracts were to be given to SCs and STs. However, by September-end, 5,344 contracts had been awarded of which 2,392 went to SCs and ST contractors.

Official sources said the figure was more than 23 per cent of the total because many SC and ST contractors had got contracts without the benefit of reservation.

“The scheme is showing excellent results,” said Tribhuvan Ram, Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department who is the nodal officer for its implementation.

The fact that the target has been achieved does not mean that there are going to be no more contracts for the SCs and STs in the current year. Officials said there would be more contracts as and when more sanctions come from the government and more funds are made available.

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