Budget 2023-24: A Missed Opportunity for the Marginalized Communities, says NCDHR

'Self-employment scheme for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers has been removed in this fiscal year while the limited allocation for the protection and empowerment of Dalit and Adivasi women is another big concern.'

New Delhi— The recently released Budget 2023-24 by the Finance Minister, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, has been the subject of much discussion and analysis in recent days. The budget, which amounts to a total of Rs. 49,90,842.73 Crs, has received mixed reactions from various quarters, particularly in regards to its provisions for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Despite the Finance Minister's repeated references to the term "Amrit Kal," which symbolizes a bright future and development, many have expressed their disappointment with the budget and its lack of concrete provisions for these marginalized communities. The National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights have condemned the budget terming it as a missed opportunity for the marginalized sections. The dalit activist body has also listed some suggestions and recommendations to the government to make up for the losses and further empower the marginalised sections of the society.

While the total allocation for the welfare of SCs is Rs. 1,59,126.22 Crs, and that for STs is Rs. 1,19,509.87 Crs, the targeted funds directed towards the Dalits and Tribals remain modest, at Rs. 30,475 Crs and Rs. 24,384 Crs respectively. The allocation of funds by the government reflects its commitment to addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by these communities, but the question remains whether these commitments will translate into meaningful action.

Low allocation for post matric scholarships

Despite long-standing demands for increased funding for the Post Matric Scholarship, the allocation for this scheme remains lower than what has been demanded. The allocation for SCs and STs under this scheme are Rs. 6359.14 Crs and Rs. 1970 Crs, respectively. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has been allocated Rs. 20,554 Crs for various umbrella schemes, including the welfare of SC and ST women. However, the lack of clear physical targets for these schemes in the outcome budget raises concerns about their effectiveness and the impact they will have on the communities they are meant to serve.

There are also serious concerns regarding the limited allocation for the protection and empowerment of Dalit and Adivasi women. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2021, there were over 50,000 crimes, including over 8,000 cases of violence, against these women. The budget has set aside just Rs. 150 Cr. for the implementation of the Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) and the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act, which is a fraction of the total allocation of Rs. 500 Crs for this purpose. This allocation is inadequate and does not address the pressing need for targeted public welfare schemes to protect and empower these women.

No support for rehabilitation of manual scavengers

The situation of manual scavenging in the country remains a matter of great concern, despite the existence of The Prohibition of Employment of Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act. According to information from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, a total of 58,089 manual scavengers have been identified nationwide. The self-employment scheme for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers has been removed in this fiscal year, and there is no allocation for it. The scholarship for children of parents engaged in hazardous and unclean occupations also lacks separate funding. The introduction of the NAMASTE scheme with an allocation of Rs. 97 Crs to promote the mechanization of sanitation work is a welcome development, as is the allocation of Rs. 256 Crs for the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS:

1. Out of the total Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, there are approximately 50% of the Schemes numbering around 46 Schemes which are general with no physical targets for SCs or STs. It is recommended that the Finance Ministry and NITI Ayog direct the concerned ministries to design clear physical targets and transparent processes for SCs and STs to access these schemes.

2. There are about 50,000 Crores that are completely obsolete schemes which is considered a total diversion from the SC and ST welfare and development. These funds should be returned to the ministries for MOTA and MSJE for relevant schemes

3. All obligatory ministries should allocate population proportionate funds for Dalits and Adivasis as per the NITI Ayog guidelines of April 2018

4. Allocation to direct benefit schemes like Post-Matric Scholarships, hostels, skill development schemes should be increased and timely transfer of funds should be ensured to the beneficiaries at all cost. A higher allocation for the National Overseas scheme should be implemented

5. Allocation of 50% for Dalit women and a special component plan for Dalit women should be established with strong mechanisms to monitor and ensure effective implementation.

6. Schemes for the rehabilitation of the women engaged in manual scavenging should be reintroduced and an adequate allocation to eliminate the practice should be in place. They have however introduced a new scheme called Namaste for mechanization of sanitation, it should be ensured that this should be given to women.

7. All schools and hostels must be made disabled-friendly keeping in mind the needs of people with disabilities funds should provide to ensure this happens.

8. Lack of legislative framework for implementation of SC & ST schemes has led to lack of implementation of most schemes. There is therefore an urgent need for passing of SCP/TSP legislation.

9. The following recommendations are being made to urge the Government to recognize distinct climate vulnerabilities and differential impacts on the SCs and STs and provision along the principle of equity embedded in the Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities framework to protect them from adverse impacts and build resilience to climate change;

• Institute the National Climate Budget with earmarking for adaptation and mitigation by mainstreaming climate actions across the central sector and centrally sponsored programmes/schemes

• Enhance the budget for climate actions under the AWSC and AWST proportionate to SC and ST population taking into consideration regional and socio-economic vulnerabilities and exposure to climate risks.

• Mandate clear SC/ST targets and reporting for ministries earmarking for climate adaptation and mitigation schemes under AWSC and AWST

• Adopt a matrix-based allocation and utilization of budgets for adaptation and mitigation disaggregated by caste and tribal status, gender, age and disability.

• Specify the coverage targets for SCs and STs across climate adaptation and mitigation budgets under the AWSC and AWST

• Converge the Climate Adaptation budget with the existing Gender budget, Child budget, and SC & ST welfare and development budgets

• Introduce measures to include the landless, homeless and sharecroppers under existing and new schemes/programmes for land allocation and alternative local and stable livelihood and income generation for climate resilience

• Accelerate the recommendations of the 15th FC Report in particular the methodology for determining allocations, vis. a combination of capacity, risk exposure (area and population with caste, tribe, age, disability and gender-disaggregated data) and hazard and vulnerability for determining state-wise allocation for disaster management.

• Obligate AWSC and AWST allocations under the National Disaster Response Fund schemes to extend immediate assistance for the losses and damages of informal workers, landless and homesteadless to enable immediate recovery after disasters.

• Obligate AWSC and AWST allocations under National Disaster Mitigation Fund to undertake targeted disaster mitigation projects/schemes for SC/STs

• Institute disaggregated data and targets for existing and new central sector and centrally sponsored schemes on disaster mitigation.

10. All schemes that have direct benefit transfers should be encouraged both for quickness of pace of transfer and to reduce transmission losses.

11. Allocation for the implementation of PoA should be increased to prevent crime against Dalit women, men, children, people with disabilities and queer and trans persons. There is a need for establishing clear mechanisms to provide protection and security to any victims of caste-based discrimination and violence. The current allocation is grossly inadequate. Special Courts should be set up for speedy trials of cases, and increased compensation should be given to victims of caste and ethnicity-based atrocities.