Schedule-backward category were not considered in central budget: O R Kelu, Minister of Welfare of SC, ST and Backward Classes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: O R Kelu, Minister of Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes said that the Central Budget, which does not consider the basic needs of the state, has completely neglected the Scheduled Caste and Backward category.

"The centre is reducing allocations like education, health, etc. for scheduled categories. One example of this is the cuts in scholarships in this budget."

The post-matric scholarship for the Backward and other deserving categories has been reduced to Rs 921 crore this year from Rs 1078 crore last year. Similarly, the national scholarship for backward students has been reduced to a total of Rs 55 crore as against Rs 90 crore in the previous year. The central government has denied even post-matric scholarships to scheduled caste students by imposing an income limit. Only Rs 2370 crore has been allocated for Scheduled Tribe Scholarships against Rs 2371 crore in the previous year, which is a backward trend.

The total allocation of the Ministry of Social Justice has been raised by just one percent. The total allocation to the Ministry of Scheduled Tribes has been increased by four percent over the previous year. Even though Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan was announced for the comprehensive development of Scheduled Tribe villages, not a single rupee has been allocated. The fact that no specific target has been set for the Scheduled Tribe in schemes like skill development and internships is also part of the neglect.

The budget shows the continuation of the central government's attitude towards the backward classes. The central government should be prepared to correct this- said Minister OR Kelu.