Drop in allocation: Union govt’s apathy towards Kerala Dalits a cause of concern

New Delhi: The funds allotted to Kerala by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment have been decreasing over the years. 

As per the details in a document tabled in the parliament by the social justice ministry, it can be inferred that the money allotted via Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojna (PM-AJAY) to Kerala for uplifting its scheduled caste communities from the clutches of poverty has been on the decline since a few years. 

While Rs 17.52 crores was allotted to the state via the scheme in 2017-18, it came down to a mere Rs 2.81 crores in 2023-24. No money whatsoever was provided during the pandemic in 2020.

A similar decline was registered in the state’s share of pre-matric scholarships for its scheduled caste students. The amount received in this regard in the last year was just Rs 2.14 crores.

Rajya Sabha MPs from Kerala have been consistently raising the issue regarding diminishing funds, however often receive lukewarm responses from the house. In fact, on most occasions, the replies list out stats contradicting the union government's own data!