Lok Sabha Question No. 1853 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Socio-Economic Upliftment of Marginalised Communities
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1853 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2025

## SOCIO-ECONOMIC UPLIFTMENT OF MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES

## 1853. SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the reasons why the Union Budget 2025 has not achieved to address the needs of dalits, tribals, backward classes, Muslims, other religious minorities, women, the poor, labourers, and farmers, with the marginal increase in allocations being insufficient to tackle their economic challenges; and
- (b) the concrete measures taken by Ministry to ensure the empowerment and socio-economic upliftment of these communities, particularly through targeted schemes and inclusive development initiatives?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

- (a): The Government allocates funds in the Union Budget and takes suitable measures to address the needs of various sections of the society. The details of these measures taken in the Union-Budget 2025-26, as provided by Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, are given in Annexure.
- (b): The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) has been implementing various schemes to ensure empowerment and socio-economic upliftment of various marginalised sections of the society. The details of the major schemes being implemented by the Department are as follows:

|   S.No. | Programme/Schemes                                                                                                       |
|---------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Post Matric Scholarship for SCs                                                                                         |
|       2 | Pre Matric for SCs and Other                                                                                            |
|       3 | Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme(SHREYAS)                                                   |
|       4 | Pradhan Mantri AnusuchitJaati Abhyuday Yojna (PM-AJAY)                                                                  |
|       5 | Strengthening of machinery for Enforcement of Protection of Civil Right Act 1955 and Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 |
|       6 | Scheme of Residential Education for Students in High School in Targeted Area (SRESHTA)                                  |
|       7 | Venture Capital Funds for SCs                                                                                           |
|       8 | Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM DAKSH) Yojana for                                              |

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1853 for answer on 11.03.2025, raised by Smt. Pratima Mondal

Details of measures taken in the Union Budget 2025-26 to address needs of various sections of society.

- i. The Budget for 2025-26 has focus on Garib, Youth, Annadata and Nari, with new schemes and reforms.
- ii. Following have been announced for Agriculture sector:-
- Increase in the loan limit under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) from & 3 lakh to & 5 lakh for loans taken through the KCC;
- Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojna- developing Agri Districts programme;
- Atmanirbharta in Pulses;
6. National Mission on High Yielding Seeds etc.
- Comprehensive Programme for vegetables and fruits;

## (iii) Significant increase in budgetary allocations:

(& in crore)

| S.No.   | Budgetary allocation for          | RE 2024-25   | BE 2025-26   |
|---------|-----------------------------------|--------------|--------------|
|         | Welfare of Scheduled Castes       | 1,38,362.52  | 1,68,478.38  |
| 2       | Welfare of Scheduled Tribes       | 1,07,873.78  | 1,29,249.75  |
| 3       | Women (Gender Budget)             | 3,76,528.90  | 4,49,028.68  |
| 4       | Agriculture and Allied Activities | 1,40,859.00  | 1,71,437.00  |
| 5       | Rural Development                 | [1,90,675.00 | 2,66,817.00  |
| 6       | Social Welfare                    | 46,482.00    | 60,052.00    |

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