Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 24:

This year’s budget has tried to address issues related to Dalit communities, but this is far from sufficient, Dr Mohan Man Sainju, vice-president of the Poverty Alleviation Fund, said today. “The budget could have been more inclusive and more effective if consultations were held with the stake holders while preparing it,” he said at an interaction on “Dalit and Budget 2062-063” organised by the Jagaran Media Centre. “Emphasis on education, capacity building,

training and income generating programmes for the Dalits and plans to improve their access to the basic services, are the main highlights of this year’s budget,” he said. He however added confusion over ‘positive discrimination’ still existed. He also urged the Dalit community to improve their capacity to better utilise the budget to maximise the benefit.

Economist Biswombhar Pyakurel said about half of the Dalit population have the problem of food insecurity. The Dalit population is between 20 - 45 lakhs, he said, adding any problem implemented without thorough study on Dalit communities cannot be successful. “If the National Dalit Commission (NDC) could prepare database on different aspects of Dalit communities in the country, that could be help in the development of the community,” he said.

Member secretary of NDC, Hari Ghandhari, said the budget of the NDC was increased by Rs 900,000 only. He also said last year Rs 4.1 million allocated for the commission froze due to various reasons. “It would be injustice to say that this budget has not tried to address the issues of the Dalits,” said Atma Ram Pandey spokesperson of Finance ministry. He requested the NDC to come up with suggestions and also create pressure on the government to address their problems.