The Union budget has allocated Rs 3,416 crore in 2021-22 for the post-matric scholarship scheme for Dalit students, less than half the amount the cabinet had earmarked a month ago.
On December 23 last year, the cabinet had approved a proposal to bear 60 per cent of the spending of Rs 59,048 crore for the scheme, which provides scholarships to about 60 lakh Dalit students every year. According to the cabinet decision, the central government will spend Rs 35,534 crore over five years. According to this figure, the government should have allocated around Rs 7,106 crore for this year.
“It is disappointing that the central government has allocated much less than what the cabinet had approved for the scholarship scheme,” said Beena Pallical, general secretary of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), which works for the welfare of the community.
Lakhs of Dalit students in several states have not been receiving the fellowship after filling up the form since states are not taking interest in the scheme due to paucity of funds. The scholarship covers the actual tuition fee and a maintenance fee ranging between Rs 230 and Rs 1,200 per student per month.
In last year’s budget, the government had allocated Rs 2,987 crore for the scheme, which had been revised to Rs 3,816 crore.
The allocation for the welfare of persons with disabilities has also been reduced in the latest budget. The allocation to the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities has declined from Rs 1,325 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 1,172 crore in 2021-22.
The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) protested the reduction in budgetary support.
“This substantial reduction of nearly 12 per cent will adversely impact various schemes and programmes that are being undertaken by the department,” NPRD general secretary Muralidharan said.
The department undertakes welfare programmes for persons with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and other forms of disabilities. The allocation for the National Programme for Prevention of Blindness has been reduced by nearly 50 per cent from Rs 20 crore to Rs 10.5 crore.
