Conundrum with ‘Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas’

The union budget of India for 2023–24 included a reduction in funding for the minority populations, which did not come as a surprise to many. The government decides how much money to provide for various programmes and initiatives based on a number of variables, including the economy, its goals, and its resources. It is not uncommon for budgets to be adjusted from year to year, and changes in funding levels for different programs can have significant impacts on the communities they serve. It’s important to consider the context and reasons behind the budget cuts and how they will affect the minority communities. The reduction in funds for education, skill development, and research initiatives could have long-term consequences and could potentially widen the existing disparities between different groups in the society.

On the other hand, it’s also possible that the government has re-allocated the funds to other programs or initiatives that they believe will better serve the minority communities. In the current context, however, that is hard to believe. Whatever the case maybe, it is crucial for the government to be transparent and accountable in explaining the rationale behind these changes and ensuring that the needs of the minority communities are being met. Ultimately, it’s up to the citizens to hold their government accountable for its decisions and ensure that the rights and needs of all communities are respected and protected.

Not to the surprise of many, the union budget of India 2023-24 provided for a cut in allocation of funds for the minority communities. Many were expecting such a move given the saffronisation hues that the present government of India reflects from time to time. But what came as a shock was the reduction in percentage. It was reduced by 38 percent. This much reduction is going to impact many good schemes for the minorities. The most affected is the allocation of money for the Madrasas, they will have just ten crore, which is 93 percent reduced money from the budget of 2022-23. The budget for research schemes for the minorities is about half of what it was in the previous budget, a meagre 20 crore. In the same manner the money given for the upliftment of minorities education has been reduced to 1689 crore from 2515 crore. This includes pre -matric scholarships which have been reduced to just 433 crore from 1425 crore a year earlier.

The skill development initiative among the minorities was 235 crores in the last budget but now it is just ten lakh. Which according to me is next to scrapped. The drastic reduction signifies how the present government perceives the minorities and just how much upliftment they really want. Not only has the government withdrawn the loan subsidy given to minorities to study abroad but it has also scrapped the Maulana Azad National Fellowships for higher education. Let me remind you that this government came to power on the promise of ‘Sab ka saath sab ka vikas’ (collective efforts of all and inclusive growth of all). But is this what one means by ‘Sab ka vikas’ ?