AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava slams Gujarat government over tribal students’ budget injustice; highlights underutilization of ₹5,120 crore and Post-Matric scholarship exclusion affecting 60,000 students.
Chaitar Vasava, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Dediapada, launched a sharp criticism of the Gujarat government over alleged injustice towards tribal students in the state budget. Highlighting the chronic underfunding of tribal welfare programs, Chaitar Vasava raised concerns about mismanagement and inadequate utilization of allocated funds.
Tribal Development Funds Under Scrutiny
Vasava revealed that in the fiscal year 2024-25, ₹4,373 crore was allocated for tribal welfare, but only ₹3,373 crore was actually spent, leaving ₹1,000 crore unaccounted for. Similarly, in 2025-26, ₹5,120 crore was set aside for tribal development, yet only 50% of this amount was utilized. “Despite persistent malnutrition, lack of clean drinking water, inadequate healthcare facilities, poor road connectivity, and unemployment in tribal areas, the government failed to fully spend the allocated funds. The actual requirement should have been ₹6,000 crore,” Chaitar Vasava said.
Post-Matric Scholarship Changes Draw Criticism
The MLA also criticized recent changes to the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme, a program initiated in 2010 with funding shared between the central and state governments (75% and 25% respectively). The scheme allowed tribal students to pursue courses such as ANM, GNM, Diploma, Degree, MBBS, BSc, MSc, and Pharmacy. However, on October 28, 2024, the state government issued a circular restricting scholarships to government quota students only, excluding management and vacant quota students. “Around 60,000 tribal students enrolled under management and vacant quotas in 2024-25 will now be denied scholarships, putting their higher education and future at risk,” Chaitar Vasava stated.
Misuse of Tribal Development Funds
Vasava highlighted that during the Prime Minister’s program in Dediapada, the tribal development department spent ₹41 crore, with additional expenses incurred by the Public Works Department, health authorities, education offices, and local governance bodies. “Instead of prioritizing tribal welfare and education, government grants meant for nutrition, anganwadi, and student programs were diverted towards event branding, signage, logistics, and hospitality. This shows the government’s insensitivity towards tribal communities,” he said.
Call for Accountability
Vasava urged tribal communities, students, and their families to remain vigilant and demand their rights. “We will not forget the injustice done to tribal people. It is essential that allocated funds are fully utilized and additional requirements are met to support tribal welfare,” he added.
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