SCs,STs,minorities,women to get more funds

New Delhi, Feb 28 (UNI) The allocation for the schemes benefiting only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been increased to Rs.3,271 crore in the 2007-08 Budget.

Presenting the budgetary proposals in the Lok Sabha today, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that in respect of schemes with at least 20 per cent of the benefits earmarked for SCs and STs, the allocation has been increased to Rs 17,691 crore.

The allocation under Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Programme for SC and ST students studying in M.Phil and Ph.D courses has been increased from Rs 35 crore in 2006-07 to Rs 88 crore in 2007-08.

The provision for post-matric scholarship programme for SC and ST students has been increased from Rs 440 crore in 2006-07 to Rs.611 crore in 2007-08. A separate provision of Rs 91 crore for similar scholarships to students belonging to socially and educationally backward classes has also been proposed.

A sum of Rs 63 crore to the share capital of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) has been proposed to expand the reach and intensity of its efforts. Last year, a sum of Rs 16.47 crore was contributed to the equity of NMDFC.

Mr Chidambaram added that 50 Ministries/Departments had set up gender budgeting cells. The outlay for 100 per cent women specific programmes is Rs 8,795 crore and for schemes where at least 30 per cent is for women specific programmes is Rs 22,382 crore. UNI