The Students' Federation of india (SFI) has denounced the Union Budget for 2024–25, claiming that the Centre neglected to address important matters impacting children in India. In spite of the fact that 36% of children are stunted and 32% are underweight, the Budget failed to give critical interventions top priority. 

The Anganwadi program funding was slashed by 1.5%, from Rs 21,523 crore in 2023 to Rs 21,000 crore in 2024–25, according to the SFI. Early childhood education and nutrition for young mothers and their children are made possible by this initiative. Member of SFI Nagaraj said, "This reduction shows the government's lack of commitment to combating malnutrition."
 
Despite a 25% increase in financing from the Budget for the PM-Poshan plan, which includes the mid-day meal program (from Rs 10,000 crore in 2023 to Rs 12,467.39 crore in 2024–25), SFI pointed out that this is still less than the Rs 12,680.97 crore allocation for 2022. This suggests that there is inadequate funding for nutrition programs, as do the Anganwadi cutbacks. 

Additionally, SFI condemned the Budget for ignoring the issue of subpar learning environments and infrastructure in schools. It was pointed out that around 44% of government schools are without power, and that over 70 million youngsters lack basic literacy and numeracy abilities. The budget increase for school education and literacy went from Rs 72,474 crore in 2023 to Rs 73,008 crore in 2024, or less than 1% of GDP. This is significantly less than the necessary 6% of GDP for education.
 
SFI raised concern over a 17% overall budget loss in higher education, pointing in particular to the sharp 60% decline in financing for the university Grants Commission (UGC) from Rs 6,409 crore to Rs 2,500 crore. Additionally, they claimed that the integration of many scholarships within the PM-USP program impedes accountability and transparency.
 
 
 
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Telangana Hyderabad

G GOWTHAM

25/07/2024 10:47 AM