Budget estimate for schemes that support deprived communities witnessed an increase this year as three major welfare departments were earmarked 19 to 35 per cent hike.
While the budget for Backward Classes schemes improved by 19.43% when compared to the previous year, for social welfare (SC) schemes budget allocation increased by 27.19%. Tribal Welfare Schemes were given a 35.62% hike in budget when compared to last year.
For BC welfare schemes the State allocated ₹ 5,690.04 crore this year. The State’s allocation for social welfare schemes for 2018-19 was ₹ 12,282.86 crore and for tribal welfare it stood at ₹ 5,886.16 crore. This was up from ₹ 956.54 crore, ₹ 4,340.56 crore and ₹ 4,764.60 crore in the respective departments. In social welfare schemes budget estimate for housing and nutrition were maintained the same as last year at ₹315 crore and ₹870.30 crore respectively. Budget estimate for medical and public health that falls within social welfare also witnessed a 21 percent dip. Allocation for power and rural development programmes, however, were upped this year.
Some tribal welfare schemes which were given better increase in budget than Social Welfare, were water supply and sanitation, rural development, power and industries. Medical and public health schemes were allocated a smaller budget (₹123 crore) than previous year (₹129.96 crore). Industries budget under tribal welfare improved from ₹124 crore to ₹228.01 crore. Crop husbandry schemes in tribal areas were up from ₹190.94 crore to ₹1,280.86 crore.
Under Backward Classes welfare schemes, the government renewed its support for TS Toddy tappers co-operative finance corporation, which was allocated ₹10 crore. Viswa Brahmins Cooperative Corporation was also allotted ₹10 crore.
