Specific Allocations to be Earmarked towards SC Sub-Plan and ST Sub-Plan - Allocation for Primitive Tribal Groups Increased - A New Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC/ST Students Announced

The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee while presenting the Union Budget for 2011-12 has announced that specific allocations are being earmarked towards Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan for the first time in the Budget for 2011-12. These will be shown in the Budget of the relevant Ministries and Departments under separate minor heads of account.

Referring to the allocation for primitive tribal groups, the Finance Minister announced that it is being increased from Rs.185 crore in 2010-11 to Rs.244 crore in 2011-12.

Emphasising that empowerment flows from Education , the Finance Minister said that a new pre-matric Scholarship Scheme will be introduced in 2011-12 for needy students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes studying in classes ninth and tenth. Shri Mukherjee pointed out that the new scheme would benefit about 40 lakh Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students.