In a deeply troubling revelation, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has been caught underspending on key Dalit upliftment schemes, despite promising support to one of the most marginalised communities in India. While Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has often made headlines with his vocal support for Dalits, his government’s actions tell a different story. Budgeted funds for crucial programs like Jai Bhim Yojana, SC Basties Development, and Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana have been slashed or grossly underutilised, leaving the Dalit community high and dry. This massive financial neglect exposes the hypocrisy of Kejriwal’s government, which has been quick to cry foul over symbolic issues such as the removal of Dr Ambedkar’s picture but has failed miserably in delivering on real, meaningful initiatives aimed at uplifting Dalits.
Jai Bhim Yojana: A tale of broken promises
The Jai Bhim Yojana was launched with the goal of providing educational and social upliftment for Dalit communities. In the 2021-22 budget, Rs 70 crore was allocated to this crucial initiative. However, the revised budget saw a sharp reduction to Rs 42 crore. The actual expenditure for the scheme? A meager Rs 4 crore. Despite this alarming underperformance, the government allocated Rs 30 crore for the program in 2023-24. However, by the time the revision came around, this was slashed to Rs 4 crore again, and, shockingly, the final spend for the year was zero. This staggering underutilisation reveals a complete disregard for the welfare of the Dalit community, undermining the very essence of this flagship initiative.
SC Basties Development: A neglect of basic infrastructure
The SC Basties Development scheme aimed at improving living conditions for Dalit settlements in Delhi saw a paltry Rs 65 crore allocated for the year 2022-23. However, when the spending numbers came in, only Rs 58 lakh was spent—a tiny fraction of the budgeted amount. Worse still, the following year saw the funding slashed further, with a mere Rs 36 lakh spent. This minimal expenditure on a program that should be directly improving the living conditions of Dalits indicates that the AAP government has completely failed in providing essential infrastructure and services to one of Delhi’s most disadvantaged groups.
Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana: A hollow promise for Dalit talent
Another key initiative, the Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana, was intended to provide financial assistance and mentorship for Dalit students who excel in academics. In 2020-21, the government allocated Rs 40 crore for this scheme, but the revised budget cut it down to just Rs 2 crore. In the next budget (2023-24), the allocation increased to Rs 20 crore, but this, too, was revised down to just Rs 1 crore. The final expenditure is a pitiful Rs 1 lakh. This shows not only a lack of commitment to nurturing Dalit talent but a complete failure to execute even the smallest portion of the promised funds.
Kejriwal’s Hypocrisy: A Narrative of Empty Rhetoric
While Arvind Kejriwal and his government have often positioned themselves as champions of Dalit rights, especially during political crises, their actions have spoken louder than their words. Kejriwal has frequently taken to social media and public platforms to express outrage over the symbolic removal of Dr B R Ambedkar’s portrait in schools and other institutions. While this display of concern may win him political points, it is nothing more than a diversion from his government’s repeated failure to implement real, substantive policies that would bring about positive change for the Dalit community.
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