Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 27: Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today chaired a high level review meeting of the J&K State Advisory Board for the Welfare & Development of Scheduled Castes.
Vice Chairperson of the Board Swarn Lata, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Devinder Rana, MLA Chenani Krishan Chand, MLA Samba Yash Paul Kundal, MLA Ramban Ashok Kumar, MLA R. S. Pura Prof. Garu Ram, MLA Raipur Domana Bharat Bushan, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary Finance M. I. Khandey, Principal Secretary Housing & Urban Development Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce Umang Narula ,various other administrative Secretaries & other senior officers as well as members of the Board were present in the meeting.
Threadbare discussions were held on various issues pertaining to welfare and development of the Scheduled Castes.
Taking cognizance of various points pertaining to the reservation policy and its implementation, the Deputy Chief Minister directed to constitute a monitoring cell under the Social Welfare Department with one member from GAD for proper monitoring and implementation of the reservation policy in all the departments.
He said the Government is committed to welfare of the Scheduled Castes and special provisions have been kept in the Inter District Recruitment policy for the community. He called upon members of the community to take maximum benefit from the policy and avail the benefits at large.
On the matter of scholarships for the Scheduled Caste students, Mr. Tara Chand asked the Chief Secretary to take a review of all the welfare schemes for S.C.s and S.T.s.
The Board members projected that developmental works are hampered due to non release of funds under Central Schemes (SCA to SCSP).
It was intimated to the Board that funds to the tune of Rs. 25 crore have been released in advance for the S.C. plan this year and a meeting for the preparation of separate Schedule Caste Sub-Plan will be convened shortly by the Chief Secretary.
With regard to demand for reservation in allotment of plots in EWS housing colonies, it was assured by the Deputy Chief Minister that provision for raising reservation for the Scheduled Castes to 8% from existing 5% will be actively considered by the Government. He said in the upcoming colonies suitable provision would be kept for the scheduled caste community.
The Deputy Minister called for constitution of special cells to check on the atrocities against the Scheduled Castes and it was decided that monitoring cells will be constituted in all the districts under the respective Deputy Commissioner. These cells will also have District S.P., District Social Welfare Officer & members of the Civil Society from the community as members.
The Board members requested for reviewing the condition of minimum percentage for scholarships and provision of reservation for S.C.s in Anganwari Workers & Rahabr-e-Taleems .The Board also recommended for construction of Scheduled Caste Bhawan in Jammu as well as Kashmir.
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