Budgetary provision for Dalit upliftment reduced in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Apr 19 (UNI) Dalits in Rajasthan are irked that the state government has reduced the budgetary allocation for their socio-economic upliftment by Rs 40,38,6000 for the year 2007-08.

Out of Rs 94,87,47,000, earmarked for Dalits in the budget of 2006-07, the state government has been able to spend only Rs 16,28,22000. The budgetary allocation for the year 2007-08 stands at Rs 90,8361,000.

While welcoming the schemes announced by the Vasundhara Raje government recently, Mr P L Mimroth, chairman, Centre for Dalit Rights (CDR) at a press meet here today, said no budgetary provisions have been made for these schemes.

Mr Mimroth said these announcements have been made hurriedly and only with an eye on Dalit votes and not for actual upliftment of Dalits.

The socio-economic condition of Dalits in the state continue to be dismal despite spending crores on Special Component plan for the Dalits, he added.

The atrocities on Dalits continue to rise with 598 cases of untouchability and humiliation reported between January 2004 and November 2006.

A survey by CDR reveals 182 cases of rape of Dalit women and 119 Dalit murders in the same period. There have been 293 cases of illegal land grabbing of Dalit land by dominant, upper caste.

UNI