Other States - Puducherry   

Minister assures measures for welfare of Dalits

Photo: T. Singaravelou

Honouring the hero: Organisations take out a rally to pay homage to B.R. Ambedkar in Puducherry on Thursday. —

PUDUCHERRY: Social Welfare Minister M. Kandasamy on Thursday said that immediate steps would be taken to implement various welfare schemes under the Special Component Plan (SCP) to promote the welfare of Dalits.

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy made an assurance on November 5 that the government was committed to implementing the SCP, Mr. Kandasamy told reporters after receiving a memorandum submitted by various Dalit organisations which took out a procession from Swadeshee Cotton Mills to the Assembly complex to mark the death anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar.

After paying homage at the statue of the late leader in front of the Assembly, they handed over the memorandum to the Minister highlighting their demands.

Stating that the government was committed to implementing welfare measures as per the Central guidelines, Mr. Kandasamy said that the Adi-Dravidar Welfare Department would “closely monitor the implementation of the programme.” The Central government had sanctioned Rs. 150 crore for implementing the SCP during the current financial year, he added.

The government had decided to form Revenue and Civil wing in the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department to implement the SCP during the current financial year itself. While the revenue wing would take care of identification of government land for issuing house site ‘pattas,’ the civil wing would be entrusted with the task of providing facilities in their residential areas, he said.

Mr. Kandasamy said that steps would be initiated to convert huts of Dalit families into concrete houses using the SCP funds and to lay proper roads. The funds would also be utilised to provide electricity and safe drinking water, he added.

The government also planned to use the funds to meet the educational expenses of the Dalit students, especially for medical and engineering courses, he said.

Five Dalit girls would be given airhostess training and the government would bear the expenditure. A sum of Rs. one crore from the SCP would be earmarked for this purpose, he added.

The territorial administration had sought funds from the Union government to start residential schools for Dalit students in Puducherry and Karaikal. The government was in the process of identifying land, Mr. Kandasamy said.

The government also planned to set up an industrial estate on an area of 50 acres in Puducherry for the Dalits to set up their business, he added.

Mr. Kandasamy also said that he had apprised United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi about the demands of Dalit organisations in the wake of allegations about diversion of SCP funds.

Mr. Kandasamy said that he would shortly submit a report on the SCP implementation to Sonia Gandhi .

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Minister assures measures for welfare of Dalits
IT developments should reach rural areas, says Minister
Leaders pay tribute to Ambedkar
Bank enters 60th year of service
Demolition anniversary peaceful
Swimming competition
CM’s appeal on Flag Day fund
Stalin cautions youth against leaders of new parties
Precursor to what’s in store at science expo

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu