The government shows concern for the minorities of other countries, but it does not care for the minorities of India, says Badruddin Ajmal, All India United Democratic Front chief
Team Clarion
NEW DLEHI — Although there is a meagre increase in the budget allocation for the minorities presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, there was also notable cut in the allocation for skill development and livelihood of the minorities.
In the entire 90-minute budget speech delivered by Sitharaman in the parliament, there was no mention of minorities and any new schemes for them. The government allocated ₹3183.24 crores for the Ministry of Minority Affairs, an increase of ₹574 crore from the revised estimate of 2023-24 budget when ₹2608.3 crore was earmarked for the minorities. There is an increase of 2.7% in comparison with last year’s budgetary estimate.
However, when it comes to skill development and livelihood for minorities, there are cuts in the allocation in comparison to the revised estimate of 2023-2024. ₹64 crore was allocated in 2023-24 while only ₹3 crore have allocated in this category this year.
Out of total budget, ₹132.62 cr earmarked for the Establishment Expenditure of the Centre, ₹1575.72 crore for the Education Empowerment, ₹26 crore for the Special Programmes of Minorities, ₹500 crore for the PM-VIKAS Committed Liabilities, ₹17 crore for the Statutory and Regulatory Bodies, ₹17 crore for other central sector expenditure and ₹912 crore for Umbrella Program for Development of Minorities were allocated this year.
No amount was allocated for ‘Support Students clearing Prelims conducted by UPSC, SSC, State Public Service Commission etc’, ‘Skill Development Initiatives (USTAD)’, ‘Upgrading Skills’, ‘Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women’, ‘Equity contribution to NMDFC’, ‘Conservation and Protection of Culture and Heritage of Minorities’, ‘Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF)’ and ‘Actual Recoveries’.
The current budget has failed to impress the minorities. Badruddin Ajmal, chief of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), called it a “lollipop” budget.
“Minorities include all minority communities not just Muslims. What do they get? They get 200, 500 crore for a year. What impact will it leave? They have closed all the budget for the higher education of the minorities. Former Minority Affairs Minister shut down all these schemes for higher education of the minorities. Therefore, she lost the election,” said Ajmal.
He was referring to firebrand BJP leader Smriti Irani who lost the recent Lok Sabha election from the prestigious Amethi seat in Uttar Pradesh.
“The government shows concern for the minorities of other countries but it does not care for the minorities of India. This is a lollipop budget. It is good only for hearing and reporting in the media,” he added.
He expressed disappointment saying that he had expected a better budget for the minorities, especially in Assam state.