‘Reform’ to help Dalits muddled up: Just 0.1% disbursal of pre-matric scholarship funds

By Bharat Dogra*
The government has been trying to reform the system of disbursement of scholarships to scheduled caste and extremely backward class students. Reform is supposed to lead to improvement. However, in the present context the supposed ‘reform’ has muddled up things badly with the result that the the availability of funds for scholarships has been disrupted to an extent that has perhaps never happened before, despite there being a long previous record of tardy disbursements.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment has recently drawn attention to this disruption in its report on Demand for Grants of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. This report was tabled in Parliament on March 23. This report has provided government data on actual disbursement of funds for various scholarships for scheduled castes and some other weaker sections for the first 9 months of the financial year 2022-23 ie up to 31 December 2022.
The data presented here regarding the disbursal of funds for pre-matric scholarships for scheduled castes tells us that only Rs 56 lakh were spent while the allocation in the budget was for Rs 500 crore. This amounts to only 0.1 per cent disbursal of pre-matric scholarship funds in the first 9 months of the 12 months period.
In the case of the post matric scholarship for scheduled castes only Rs 2,500 crore were disbursed despite the allocation of Rs 5,660 crore during the first 9 months. Only 44% funds were disbursed in first 9 months. This came on top of the spending of only Rs 1,978 crore in the previous year 2021-22 compared to the allocation of Rs 3,415 crore.
One reason for this has been a recent change that the central funds (which comprise about 60% of the funds) will be released after the state share of 40% has been released. However this is not proper as due to problems of their fiscal health, delay on the part of some states cannot be ruled out. In such a situation when the union government makes its funds conditional to prior release by the state government, then this can result in complete disruption of funds.
In fact only recently a study by the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) and the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) had cautioned against such a conditional system.
While this is likely to be an important factor behind the disruption of pre-matric scholarship, there are obviously other factors also. In the case of scholarships for students of Other Backward Classes, Extreme Backward Classes and Notified Tribes (scheme called PM Yasaswi) the funding is only from the Centre and yet in this case too there has been a disruption of funds, with the disbursal of funds up to December 31, 2022 being around Rs 42 crore compared to the budget allocation of Rs 1,581 crore. In other words only 3 per cent of the funds were disbursed in the first 9 months.
Earlier allocations for SC students and for households involved in hazardous occupations were made separately, but these have been merged now.
Several problems relating to these scholarships for students from weaker sections have been pending for quite some time. The income limit has been set too low and has not been revised for a long time, making it difficult for genuinely needy and deserving students to avail scholarships.
The CBGA-NCDHR study (by Jawed Alam Khan and Rahat Tasneem) had also drawn attention to several problems relating to disbursal of these scholarships for students from weaker sections. This report titled ‘Assessing Public Finance Management Issues in the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme’ stated:

“The primary challenges before the scheme include a poor design in terms of its complex fund-sharing and fund-flow mechanism between the center and the states, the absence of a regular revision in the scheme’s guidelines, inefficient adherence to the prescribed guidelines, inadequate beneficiary targets and coverage as well as funds for the same, accumulation of arrears, low fund utilization in many states, poor planning and lack of proper monitoring system.”
This study also said that the government has not given adequate attention to reports and suggestions of Parliamentary Standing Committee and CAG Audit. The overall budget for these scholarships, this study said, needs to increase.
The government should hasten to introduce genuine improvements, as several reports have spoken about the distress and disruption suffered by Dalit students when the sanctioned scholarships fail to reach them in time.

Work of rehabilitation of manual scavengers appears to have been largely abandoned after only partial rehabilitation

There have been reports of students not just interrupting their studies to take up whatever employment is available to earn a subsistence wage but even having to skip meals or to survive on very low nutrition food. Sometimes studies get disrupted in such a way that these cannot be continued again.

One way for reducing extreme distress and disruption for them is to make arrangements for postponing their payment of hostel expenses, fees etc. till such time that their delayed scholarship funds reach them.
However, what is more basic is that delays and disruptions in the disbursement of scholarships are altogether avoided. There is wide agreement that dalits who have suffered from historical injustice in Indian society should get many-sided help for advancement and improved educational opportunities are a very important part of this many-sided effort. Pre-matric and post-matric scholarships play an important role of ensuring and facilitating continuity in education beyond lower levels.
Some other aspects of the budget for dalit welfare also deserve attention. A new initiative called Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) was provided an allocation of Rs 950 crore in 2022-23 (Revised Estimate) to provide one-time financial assistance for socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Castes through infrastructure development and income-generation schemes, but this fund has not been supplemented in the 2023-24 budget ( Budget Estimates).
In the 2023-24 budget there is no separate allocation also for the Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) and this appears to be have been merged with the new scheme NAMASTE. However NAMASTE is more about an action plan for mechanization of sewage work and its allotted budget of Rs 97 crore for 2023-24 may not be adequate even for this limited purpose.

Hence, the work of rehabilitation of manual scavengers appears to have been largely abandoned after only partial rehabilitation (based mainly on a small one-time cash payment) covering only a limited number of workers (about 58,000), while the need is clearly for reaching out to a larger number of workers with proper, many-sided rehabilitation measures. Hence clearly there is an urgent need for reviving the rehabilitation work on an adequate scale in keeping with real needs.
---
*Honorary convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include 'Protecting Earth for Children' and ‘Man over Machine'

Comments

Beyond his riding skill, Karl Umrigar was admired for his radiance, sportsmanship, and affability

By Harsh Thakor* Karl Umrigar's name remains etched in the annals of Indian horse racing, a testament to a talent tragically cut short. An accident on the racetrack at the tender age of nineteen robbed India of a rider on the cusp of greatness. Had he survived, there's little doubt he would have ascended to international stature, possibly becoming the greatest Indian jockey ever. Even 46 years after his death, his name shines brightly, reminiscent of an inextinguishable star. His cousin, Pesi Shroff, himself blossomed into one of the most celebrated jockeys in Indian horse racing.

राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी: जल जीवन मिशन के लक्ष्य को पाने समन्वित प्रयास जरूरी

- राज कुमार सिन्हा* जल संसाधन से जुड़ी स्थायी समिति ने वर्तमान लोकसभा सत्र में पेश रिपोर्ट में बताया है कि "नल से जल" मिशन में राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी साबित हुए हैं। जबकि देश के 11 राज्यों में शत-प्रतिशत ग्रामीणों को नल से जल आपूर्ति शुरू कर दी गई है। रिपोर्ट में समिति ने केंद्र सरकार को सिफारिश की है कि मिशन पुरा करने में राज्य सरकारों की समस्याओं पर गौर किया जाए।

Aurangzeb’s last will recorded by his Maulvi: Allah shouldn't make anyone emperor

By Mohan Guruswamy Aurangzeb’s grave is a simple slab open to the sky lying along the roadside at Khuldabad near Aurangabad. I once stopped by to marvel at the tomb of an Emperor of India whose empire was as large as Ashoka the Great's. It was only post 1857 when Victoria's domain exceeded this. The epitaph reads: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e ghareebaan gumbad e gardun bas ast." (The rich may well construct domes of gold and silver on their graves. For the poor folks like me, the sky is enough to shelter my grave) The modest tomb of Aurangzeb is perhaps the least recognised legacies of the Mughal Emperor who ruled the land for fifty eventful years. He was not a builder having expended his long tenure in war and conquest. Towards the end of his reign and life, he realised the futility of it all. He wrote: "Allah should not make anyone an emperor. The most unfortunate person is he who becomes one." Aurangzeb’s last will was re...

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on. A soft attitude always creates strong relationships. A relationship should not depend only on spoken words. They should rely on understanding the unspoken feeling too. So w...

PUCL files complaint with SC against Gujarat police, municipal authorities for 'unlawful' demolitions, custodial 'violence'

By A Representative The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Justice of India, urging the Supreme Court to initiate suo-moto contempt proceedings against the police and municipal authorities in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The complaint alleges that these officials have engaged in unlawful demolitions and custodial violence, in direct violation of a Supreme Court order issued in November 2024.

Incarcerated for 2,424 days, Sudhir Dhawale combines Ambedkarism with Marxism

By Harsh Thakor One of those who faced incarceration both under Congress and BJP rule, Sudhir Dhawale was arrested on June 6, 2018, one of the first six among the 16 people held in what became known as the Elgar Parishad case. After spending 2,424 days in incarceration, he became the ninth to be released from jail—alongside Rona Wilson, who walked free with him on January 24. The Bombay High Court granted them bail, citing the prolonged imprisonment without trial as a key factor. I will always remember the moments we spent together in Mumbai between 1998 and 2006, during public meetings and protests across a wide range of issues. Sudhir was unwavering in his commitment to Maoism, upholding the torch of B.R. Ambedkar, and resisting Brahmanical fascism. He sought to bridge the philosophies of Marxism and Ambedkarism. With boundless energy, he waved the banner of liberation, becoming the backbone of the revolutionary democratic centre in Mumbai and Maharashtra. He dedicated himself ...

State Human Rights Commission directs authorities to uphold environmental rights in Vadodara's Vishwamitri River Project

By A Representative The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) has ordered state and Vadodara municipal authorities to strictly comply with environmental and human rights safeguards during the Vishwamitri River Rejuvenation Project, stressing that the river’s degradation disproportionately affects marginalized communities and violates citizens’ rights to a healthy environment. The Commission mandated an immediate halt to ecologically destructive practices, rehabilitation of affected communities, transparent adherence to National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, and public consultations with experts and residents. The order follows the Concerned Citizens of Vadodara coalition—environmentalists, ecologists, and urban planners—submitting a detailed letter to authorities, amplifying calls for accountability. The group warned that current plans to “re-section” and “desilt” the river contradict the NGT’s 2021 Vishwamitri River Action Plan, which prioritizes floodpla...

CPM’s evaluation of BJP reflects its political character and its reluctance to take on battle against neo-fascism

By Harsh Thakor* A controversial debate has emerged in the revolutionary camp regarding the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s categorization of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Many Communists criticize the CPM’s reluctance to label the BJP as a fascist party and India as a fascist state. Various factors must be considered to arrive at an accurate assessment. Understanding the original meaning and historical development of fascism is essential, as well as analyzing how it manifests in the present global and national context.

Implications of deaths of Maoist leaders G. Renuka and Ankeshwarapu Sarayya in Chhattisgarh

By Harsh Thakor* In the wake of recent security operations in southern Chhattisgarh, two senior Maoist leaders, G. Renuka and Ankeshwarapu Sarayya, were killed. These operations, which took place amidst a historically significant Maoist presence, resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals on March 20th and 16 more three days prior.

Haven't done a good deed, inner soul is cursing me as sinner: Aurangzeb's last 'will'

Counterview Desk The Tomb of Aurangzeb, the last of the strong Mughal emperors, located in Khuldabad, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, has this epitaph inscribed on it: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e maa ghareebaan gumbad e gardun bas ast" (the rich may well construct domes of gold and silver on their graves. For the poor folks like me, the sky is enough to shelter my grave).

Search This Blog