Self-employment schemes for the liberation and rehabilitation of scavengers fell by 3 per cent and a trifle Rs 4 crores was increased for post-matric scholarships for Dalits from the 2008-09 budget. The enthusiasm shown in promises to eradicate all slums in the next three years is completely absent in liberating the hapless lakhs of scavengers who even today carry night soil in various towns in the country. The allocations to SC boys and girls hostels were given a token one crore increase, and non government organisations got a mere 40 lakhs increase.

Interestingly while the allocation for the Ministry of Minority Affairs increased by Rs 1076 crores and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs by Rs1235 crores, the allocation for Dalits increased only by a mere 77 crores. Further, the total allocation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) fell from Rs 195.53 to 192.47 crores. This seems to be a new way to get back at OBCs too. What is perplexing is there seems to be no relation between population percentages of the disadvantaged sections of the society and their allocations. Scheduled Castes, who compromise 16.2 per cent of the population, get only Rs. 1767 crores, even though a majority of them live below the poverty line.

Skill development of the weaker sections was shown as a priority by the government only to sideline the issue in the budget. The entire action under the so-called National Skill Development Mission is restricted to upgrading existing polytechnics leaving millions of unskilled unemployed youth high and dry in their pursuit to acquire skills. The full interest subsidy scheme on education loans does not even mention the allocation for SC, ST, minorities and the disabled. It does not consider the loans obtained by parents for sending their children abroad.

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