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Punjab Govt. steps for Dalit welfare

Staff Correspondent

Monitoring meeting every two months

CHANDIGARH: Against the backdrop of simmering discontent and indications of growing caste tensions the Punjab Government has initiated steps not only to safeguard the interests of the Scheduled Castes through effective measures for their uplift but also ensure them a life of dignity and self-esteem.

While various development and welfare projects have been at different stages of implementation, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh recently presided over a meeting of the State level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989. He announced that instead of the usual six months, the committee would meet every two months to sort out the issues relating to the welfare of Dalits.

While directing the top brass of the Civil and Police administration to ensure strict implementation of the statute, he stressed that "complacency would not be tolerated at any cost.'' The recent case of a Dalit, Bant Singh of Jhabbar village in Mansa district who lost two arms and a leg apparently due to official apathy after being beaten up allegedly by upper castes, has created ripples in the State. He had "dared'' to continue his pursuit for justice for his daughter who had been raped about four years ago.

The concern of the Chief Minister on this account is understandable as crime against the Scheduled Castes has been on the rise. As against 15 cases registered under the relevant sections of law in 1994, 94 cases were recorded in 2004. During the same period, the number of rapes cases reported has also doubled.

Responding to the demands of the members of the committee, Capt. Singh announced a grant of Rs. 50 crores for the scheme under "houses to houseless'' for the SCs beneficiaries besides Rs. 12 crores for dharamshalas of Scheduled Castes. A sum of Rs. 23 crores was directed to be released every month, from the Dedicated Fund of Rs. 450 crores against pensions to the SC beneficiaries. The disbursement of these pensions has been entrusted to the village panchayats.

Capt. Singh said that 30 per cent of the funds under "Punjab Nirman Programme" had been earmarked for overall development and welfare of the Dalits.

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Punjab Govt. steps for Dalit welfare

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