‘Slogans like Sabka Vikas…’: Owaisi slams Centre as funds for minority schemes slashed
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday criticised the Union Budget 2023 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as it slashed funds for minority schemes. The Budget allocation for the Ministry of Minority Affairs was reduced by 38 per cent for the financial year 2023-24.
Taking to his official Twitter handle, the Hyderabad MP wrote, “The Modi government cut the budget of the Ministry of Minority Affairs by 40%. Perhaps according to Modi, poor minority children do not need the “efforts” of the government, slogans like “Sabka Vikas…” are enough.” (sic).
Last year, the Ministry of Minority Affairs was allocated Rs 5020.50 crore in the 2022-23 Union Budget. However, this year, the Centre has slashed the funds for the welfare of minorities by over 38 per cent. This year, the Centre has allocated Rs 3,097.60 crore– a cut of Rs 1,922.90 crore.
Several scholarship and skill development schemes got major fund cuts, including the merit-cum means scholarship for professional and technical courses for students from minority communities. The Education Scheme for Madrasas and Minorities has been allocated Rs 10 crore for the financial year 2023-24, which is a major fund cut.
The Union Budget announced a 50 per cent cut in the special schemes for minorities which includes research, studies, publicity, monitoring and evaluation of development schemes for minorities, for conservation protection of the heritage of minorities and schemes for containing, population decline of minorities.
The Congress has also hit out at the Central government over the Budget, calling it “callous”. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi termed the Union Budget for 2023-24 ‘Mitr Kaal’ Budget. This Budget proves the government has no roadmap to build India’s future, Rahul Gandhi said.
