Within months of its implementation, the state government scheme of 23 per cent reservation for SCs and STs in contracts worth up to Rs 5 lakh has already been a hit.

In the first two months after the scheme became operational on August 1, the number of contracts awarded to SC/ST contractors was almost the same as were awarded in the previous four months.

From April to July — four months of the current financial year, before the scheme was introduced — as many as 1,202 contracts were awarded to SC and ST contractors. But in August and September, when the scheme was in force, 1,190 contracts were awarded to SC and ST contractors, said official sources.

The total number of contracts awarded in the current financial year so far has already exceeded the target for the entire year. It was estimated that the state would have 5,576 contracts — upto Rs 5 lakh — in the current financial year, of which a minimum of 1,393 contracts were to be given to SCs and STs.

By September-end, as many as 5,344 contracts had been awarded of which 2,392 went to SC and ST contractors.

According to sources, more than 23 per cent benefited, as many SC and ST contractors received contracts without the benefit of the reservation.

"The scheme is showing excellent results," said Tribhuvan Ram, Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department and the nodal officer.

The fact that the target has been achieved does not mean that no more contracts will be awarded to the SCs and STs in the current year. Officials said there will be more contracts, as more sanctions come from the government and more funds become available.

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