Pics: Deekshith D V
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jan 11: State social welfare minister H Anjaneya on Sunday January 11 said the Congress government led by chief minister Siddaramaiah has introduced several programmes for the welfare of the backward classes and the poor, particularly the SC/ST Sub-plan Act as per which the grants for these communities has been increased to Rs 15,834 crore.
Addressing a press meet at the district Congress office here, Anjaneya said, "Recently the state government passed the SC/ST Sub-plan Act, according to which 24 percent out of Rs 65,000 crore budget, that is Rs 15,834 crore, will be earmarked for the welfare of SC/STs. This revolutionary Act was introduced by the Siddaramaiah government for the welfare of SC/STs in order achieve social justice. This money will be disbursed through Sakala. There will be no lapses. If the officers do not provide or delay in providing the funds to the beneficiaries, they will be suitably punished as per the provisions of the Act. Also, there is no time limit to availing the benefits under this Act."
He further said, "Rs 1,500 per month for 10 months will be provided to each deserving student for external boarding and lodging facilities. This will be done online. Last time 31,000 students benefited from this, and now it will be provided to 50,000 students.
"Earlier students had to approach the local MLAs to request admission in hostels for backwards classes and OBCs, but now government has made it mandatory for hostels to provide admissions directly to the students. If there is no space, they should provide alternate facilities by taking a building on rent. The government has passed an order on this," he said.
"Siddaramaiah has introduced several programmes for the welfare of poor. It is essential that information on these programmes reach the people," he added.
He further said that the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) in Mangaluru had approached him with a request to construct the long-pending Ambedkar Bhavan. "The social welfare department is ready to bear the entire cost of the building. We have also sanctioned Rs one crore for Kudmul Ranga Rao building," he said.
On a question about reservation for the poor among the upper classes, he said, "There will be caste census in April and after that we'll have a meeting and decide on this. Social justice should reach everyone, poverty is not confined to any particular class or community. It is the responsibility of government to provide social justice to all."
Regarding appointment of muzrai temple priests from the Dalit community, he said, "The government has such plans and the process is on. After holding discussions, studying and considering the merits and demerits of the plan, appropriate steps will be taken.
"Congress is the only party which provides opportunities to all communities, castes and classes. In BJP there is no such provision, it is only for one class and community," Anjaneya said.
Lashing out at the union government, he said, "From the past six months, Narendra Modi-led government has not introduced any programmes for the welfare of the poor or the farmers. BJP campaigned in the name of the poor and promised to bring down the prices of essential commodities. The price of petrol has decreased because of of internation prices. The union government is in favour of the rich and the capitalists, while the poor and the Dalits are supressed."
Addressing Congress party workers, he said, "Congress workers need not feel disheartened about the loss in elections. Seeing BJP's performances now, people will vote in favour of Congrss in the next elecions. Hence we must all work without losing faith."
Asked to respond to BJP leader Eshwarappa's statement that Congress government was filled with 'fattened sheep', Anjaneya said, "Eshwarappa is the sacrificial goat of BJP. He cannot do anything."
MLAs J R Lobo, Mohiuddin Bava and Shakuntala Shetty, district Congress interim president Ibrahim Kodijal and others were present.