Telangana Budget: Rs 33.6k crore for SC, ST welfare
The Telangana government has established special residential schools for imparting quality education for development of SC, ST children.
Hyderabad: According to the top priority for the welfare of Schedule Castes (SCs) and Schedule Tribes (STs) in the State, a whopping Rs.21,306.85 crore was proposed in Budget estimates 2021-22 towards SC Special Development Fund.
Similarly, Rs.12,304.23 crore has been proposed in the budget towards ST Development Fund, Finance Minister T Harish Rao said while presenting the budget in the State Assembly here on Thursday.
Under Special Development Fund Act, in any financial year if a certain amount is not utilized for the welfare of SCs and STs for any reason, they are automatically transferred to the next financial year’s funds. “This rule was introduced only by the Telangana government and set an example to other States. Recently, officials from Rajasthan studied the modalities being followed by Telangana government and decided to adopt it in their State,” Harish Rao said.
The Telangana government, while implementing the Act, has set an example for other States to follow the schemes for welfare of SCs and STs.
The Telangana government has established special residential schools for imparting quality education for development of SC, ST children and also providing education of international standards to them.
In Telangana, there were only 134 SC residential schools in 2014. The Telangana government has increased to 268 after formation of the State. There were 82,063 students studying in these residential schools at the time of formation of Telangana. Now, as many as 1,45,985 students are pursuing education. In 2014, Rs.590.60 crore was spent on SC residential schools, which was increased to Rs.898 crore by 2019-20.
While there were 96 residential schools in 2014 for tribal students, the same has been increased to 133 in 2021. Similarly, the student strength also increased from 27,574 in 2014 to 66,943 in 2021.
In 2014, Rs.99.62 crore was spent on ST residential schools, which was increased to Rs.529.60 crore by 2021. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar resolved to reduce dropouts of Dalit and tribal girl students and encourage them to pursue higher education. For the first time in the State, 53 residential degree colleges have been introduced by the government for SC, ST girl students to pursue higher education.
Harish Rao said PG courses were introduced in five degree colleges. The 15th Planning Commission has appreciated this decision. Representatives from 14 States have visited to study about these improved facilities.
The Harvard University has taken up Social Welfare residential schools education system as a case study for research purpose. In the united Andhra Pradesh, students from residential schools were able to get only half a dozen medicine seats. “Today, 189 students from Telangana residential schools got admissions in MBBS and BDS seats. At the same time, 170 SC, ST students got admission in IIT and JEE seats and increased the reputation,” he said.
The Bar Council of India recognized the efforts being made by the Telangana government in the field of education for development of SCs and STs and granted special permission for establishment of two integrated law colleges in the State by relaxing moratorium for granting law colleges across the nation.
For the first time in the country, the government established a residential institution in Sangareddy for law education for ST boys and for dalit girls, a law college has been established at LB Nagar.
Dr. B. R. Ambdekar Overseas Scholarship worth Rs.20 lakh is provided to SC and ST students who are pursuing education in foreign countries. Till now, 623 students received scholarship. For this purpose government has spent Rs.107.80 crore.
For pursuing overseas education by 180 ST students, an amount of Rs.27.78 crore was spent by the government. To support SC, ST entrepreneurs, the government is implementing TS Pride program and providing loans for 25 paise interest and giving subsidies in electricity to those who are coming forward to establish new industries.
The subsidy that is given to SC, ST women entrepreneurs is raised from 35 per cent to 45 per cent and sales tax exemption was increased to 100 per cent. From 2014 to till now, for establishment of industries of SC, ST sanction was accorded with Rs.1,919 crore of subsidies to 39,590 units.
For ST habitations that do not have BT road facilities, the government is proposing Rs.165 crore grants in Budget estimates 2021-22. This will help in constructing roads in tribal habitats.
To provide subsidized power supply to ST households, an amount of Rs.18 crore is proposed in Budget estimates 2021-22. Tribals are demanding since long time to provide three phase power supply to their agricultural lands.
With an amount of Rs.103 crore funds, the government is taking up three phase power supply to all the tribal agricultural lands away from villages where electrification is not provided.
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