BATTLE FOR BUDGET - Dalits-Adivasi and Union Budget 2014-15
Constitution Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi15th July 2014

BATTLE FOR BUDGET

National Confederation of Dalit Organizations (NACDOR) organised national consultation on “Battle for Budget: Dalit and Adivasi and Union Budget 2014-15” from 4pm to 8.30 pm, 15th July 2014, at Constitution Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi. In this consultation 150 CSOs, Academicians, Activists, Political Representatives, Honb’le Members of Parliament – Shri D Raja, Shri Ramdas Athawale, Shri J D Seelam - participated.

The consultation started with brief introduction facilitated by Ms Sumedha Baudh, Secretary, Rashtriya Dalit Mahila Andolan (RDMA). Shri Ashok Bharti, Chairman, NACDOR, briefed about the Battle for Budget and it’s importance for Dalit and Advisi. Highlighting the issues and concerns, he appraised initiatives NACDOR in pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister. It was the third meeting of NACDOR with Finance Minister on 5th June 2014 on the issues and concerns of Dalit and Adivasi. As a result, the government accepted few demand of Dalit and Adivasi. The two major demands that government has accepted in the budget are – increase of total budget of Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) by 25% and giving Rs. 200 Cr for Venture Capital Fund for SC/ST Entrepreneurs. He also mentioned the Revenue Foregone of Rs 572923 Cr, which is going directly to the corporate Sector and raised the demand for share of Dalit and Adivasi in it and Non-Plan Budget.

Mr Ravi Kujur and Mr Umesh Babu presented analysis of the Union Budget 2014-15 from the perspective of Dalit and Adivasi. Out of Plan Size of Rs. 575000 Cr; Rs. 50548.16 Cr (8.70%) is allocated under SCSP and Rs. 32386.84 (5.63%) is allocated under TSP. Though it is an increase by more than the 25% over the previous year’s allocation, the SCSP/TSP fund is still short - it should be in the proportion of 16.6 % for SC and 8.6% for ST as per the census 2011. The analysis also brought out the fact that out of 108 Departments of the Government of India, only 24 departments have allocated fund under SCSP and 31 Departments have allocated fund under TSP. The certain schemes like National Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship, Food & Public Distribution, Tea Board, Coffee Board, Rubber Board, etc. have serious problems of allocation not targeted for direct benefit. Overall analysis, concluded to dedicate more time and effort of the government to fine tune the existing schemes and design new programs for the purpose of SCSP/TSP.

Addressing the audience, Shri K Raju, Chairman, SC Cell, Indian National Congress, New Delhi mentioned that now it is time to demand not only in Plan budget but in total Budget and in proportion to SC/ST population. He also mentioned the need for legislation for effective implementation and monitoring of SCSP/TSP. He assured to take action from his party.

Shri Rajesh Upadhyay, Editor at Shramik Duniya and Convenor at National Alliance for Labour Rights highlighted political meaning of such budgetary allocations. He said that irregular allocation in NRGF, Post Metric Scholarship, Food and Public Distribution, Industrial Policy & Promotion, Urban Poverty Alleviation, Social Security of labours (budget reduced from Rs. 1141.47 Cr to Rs. 110 Cr in Rastriya Swasthya Bima Yojna ), no allocation in Bonded Labour Rehabilitation schemes and reduction in the budget for monitoring SC/ST (PoA) Act are the political decision of the new government. Debate, discussion and agitation on such decisions are the democratic right which the people should exercise. The government has not reduced the provision for Revenue Foregone but it is reducing the welfare budget of the weaker sections.

Mrs Anie Raja, Chairperson of National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), highlighted the gender issues in the budget and mentioned the crime committed on the women of excluded group. She expressed the concerns of budgetary issues required to monitor the atrocities and rehabilitation packages for the victims. The decreased allocation for SC/ST (PoA) Act is a matter of worry for all the people who realize the growing atrocities day by day.

Shri D Raja, Honb’le Member of Parliament, said about the administration of State and Budget. He talked about feeling of citizenship of a person who is victimized, tortured, gang raped and killed only because of being a Dalit or Adivasi member. On the other hand the budgetary allocations meant for these people are manipulated in the background of excuses and inabilities. He requested to enlarge the public forum, bring awareness on the subject, and make a constructive effort for the better changes in the system and politics. He emphasized that budgetary provision is not a charity for the Dalits and Adivasi, it is a responsibility of the government to disburse the fund amongst those who need it more because it is a tax payer’s money. The corporate sector is enjoying the revenue forgone and there is no need to support them further from the remaining fund available for the public.

Shri Ramdas Athawale also highlighted the need of population proportionate allocation in the scheme that are meaningful to SC/ST. He emphasized that not it is time for SC/ST to enter in the area of entrepreneurship. There is need to demand to enhance the budget for entrepreneurial development and industrial set up arrangements. Other Parliamentary Members who have not come in the consultation are also very much sincere on these issues.

Shri J D Seelam mentioned the impact of such consultation on the strength of SC/ST Parliamentarians. It gives the voice to them. There are the limitations of the political parties, but beyond that there is SC/ST Parliamentary Forum which can take up the matter. He suggested a central legislation on SCSP/TSP and allocation not only in the Plan budget but in the entire Budget of the Government of India. Finally he suggested providing note on the SCSP/TSP so that he can take it for the meeting of the Forum on 17th July 2014. He assured that moist of the MPs of the Forum will speak on the budget during this year based on this note.

Participants from 23 States expressed their views and concerns on the budget. For them it was an enlightening meeting.

House concluded that NACDOR will prepare the points for MPs to speak in the Parliament on budget and with the support of CSOs from across the country, such programs will be organized in other states. Finally Ms Sumedha Baudh gave vote of thanks and all participants marched with candle in their hand as symbolic expression of the enlightenment and movement.

 

Budget allocation for SC/ST at a glance

 

Year wise allocation	2012-13 (AE)	2013-14 (BE)	2013-14 (RE)	2014-15 (BE)
Total Budget	1410372	1665297	1590434	1794892
Plan Budget	413625	555322	475532	575000
Non Plan Budget	996747	1109975	1114902	1219892
Allocation / Expenditure for SC under SCSP
Allocation under SCSP	33161	41561	35801	50548
SCSP in Percentage to Plan Budget	8.02	7.48	7.53	8.79
SCSP in Percentage to Total Budget	2.35	2.50	2.25	2.82
Due SCSP	68662	92183	78938	95450
Shortage in SCSP	35501	50622	43138	44902
Allocation /Expenditure for ST under TSP
Allocation under TSP	20184	24598	22030	32387
TSP in Percentage to Plan Budget	4.88	4.43	4.63	5.63
TSP in Percentage to Total Budget	1.43	1.48	1.39	1.80
Due TSP	35572	47758	40896	49450
Shortage in TSP	15388	23159	18866	17063
Allocation /Expenditure for SC/ST together under SCSP/TSP
Allocation under SCSP/TSP	53345	66160	57831	82935
SCSP/TSP in percentage to Plan budget	12.90	11.91	12.16	14.42
SCSP/TSP in percentage to Plan budget	3.78	3.97	3.64	4.62
Due SCSP/TSP	104234	139941	119834	144900
Shortage in SCSP/TSP	50888	73782	62003	61965

 

 

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