Less Than 1 Percent Allocation to Minorities in Vote-On-Account Budget

Hyderabad, Feb 10 (Hydnow): The Telangana government’s interim budget for the 2024-25 financial year, presented by Deputy CM and Finance Minister Bhatti Mallu, has generated mixed reactions, particularly regarding the allocation of funds for welfare schemes.

While the budget itself boasts a total expenditure of Rs. 2,75,891 crore, a closer look reveals a concerning disparity in the distribution of resources among different communities.

SC and ST Welfare Receive Priority, Minority Allocation Raises Concerns

The budget allocates Rs. 21,874 crore for Scheduled Caste (SC) welfare and Rs. 13,313 crore for Scheduled Tribe (ST) welfare, demonstrating the government’s focus on these communities. However, the allocation for Minority welfare stands at a mere Rs. 2,262 crore, raising concerns about equitable distribution of resources. This amount represents less than 1% of the total budget, highlighting a significant gap compared to the allocations for SC and ST welfare.

Despite the disparity in welfare allocations, Finance Minister Bhatti emphasized the government’s commitment to fulfilling promises made during the election campaign. He mentioned key initiatives like the Warangal declaration for farmers, the Youth declaration in Hyderabad, the SC-ST declaration announced in Chevella, and the BC and Minority declarations announced in Kamareddy.

While the government deserves credit for prioritizing welfare schemes, the significant gap in allocations between minority welfare and other communities cannot be ignored. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the budget in addressing the needs of all sections of society. Moving forward, it is crucial to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources that considers the specific requirements of different communities. This will not only promote social justice but also contribute to the overall development of the state. (Hydnow)

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