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SCs,STs,minorities,women to get more funds

New Delhi, Feb 28 (UNI) The allocation for the schemes benefiting only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been increased to Rs.3,271 crore in the 2007-08 Budget.

Presenting the budgetary proposals in the Lok Sabha today, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that in respect of schemes with at least 20 per cent of the benefits earmarked for SCs and STs, the allocation has been increased to Rs 17,691 crore.

The allocation under Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Programme for SC and ST students studying in M.Phil and Ph.D courses has been increased from Rs 35 crore in 2006-07 to Rs 88 crore in 2007-08.

The provision for post-matric scholarship programme for SC and ST students has been increased from Rs 440 crore in 2006-07 to Rs.611 crore in 2007-08. A separate provision of Rs 91 crore for similar scholarships to students belonging to socially and educationally backward classes has also been proposed.

A sum of Rs 63 crore to the share capital of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) has been proposed to expand the reach and intensity of its efforts. Last year, a sum of Rs 16.47 crore was contributed to the equity of NMDFC.

Mr Chidambaram added that 50 Ministries/Departments had set up gender budgeting cells. The outlay for 100 per cent women specific programmes is Rs 8,795 crore and for schemes where at least 30 per cent is for women specific programmes is Rs 22,382 crore. UNI

Thousands march to Pentagon to protest Iraq war

Washington, Mar 18: Thousands of anti-war demonstrators, some&13; carrying yellow and black signs reading ''US out of Iraq now!'' marched&13; toward the Pentagon today, one of a number of protests held or planned&13; around the country and the world.&13; The march, on a cold and cloudy St. Patrick's Day, comes just&13; before the fourth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war on Tuesday&13; and 40 years after a similar protest at the Pentagon over the Vietnam&13; Var......

EU welcomes Palestinian unity govt, wary on aid

Brussels, Mar 18: The European Union today welcomed the&13; establishment of a Palestinian national unity government but said a&13; resumption of direct aid would depend on an assessment of the new&13; cabinet's platform and actions.&13; ''The Presidency of the EU welcomes the formation of a Palestinian&13; Government of National Unity pursuant to the agreement reached in Mecca&13; on 8 February 2007, which lays the foundation for Palestinian&13; reconciliation,'' a statement issued by EU president Germany said.&13;.....

United States says Palestinian platform 'disturbing'

Washington, Mar 18: The United States today said it was disturbed by the Palestinian unity government's claim of a right to resist Israel and disappointed by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's speech expressing that right.''The national unity government's platform reference to the right of resistance is disturbing and contradicts the Quartet principles of renunciation of violence,'' US State Department spokeswoman Nancy Beck said. The Quartet of West Asia peace mediators consists of the United States, the United Nations, Russia and.....
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