No atrocities against SCs/STs recorded in Assam in 2020: Union Minister

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale today claimed that no atrocity has been recorded against SCs or STs in Assam in 2020 and for which the efforts of the state government under the leadership of Sarbananda Sonwal should be applauded.

Athawale today visited Guwahati and reviewed the schemes of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, and its implementation in the state with the senior officials of the Government of Assam.

The minister said that his visit to the state corresponds to the direction of the Prime Minister of India who has instructed its ministers to provide every assistance to the people of the Northeast from their respective ministries.

The minister in details discussed with the officials of the Department of Social Welfare and other departments about the schemes provided by the government for the welfare of the rural population, ST, SC population and for the disabled people of the state.

Briefing the media, the minister said that the schorlarship scheme of the government, the minister said that he has been informed 7% of the population belong to the Scheduled Castes whereas tribals constitute 15% of the population.

Under the scholarship scheme, the minister said, Rs 59,000 cr has been allocated for a span for 5 years. 60% of the amount will be from the Centre and 40% from State. Post this, every year there will be an increase of 5% of the Centre’s share till the share reaches 80 per cent.

His ministry is committed to providing scholarships to all eligible students and on time, the minister added.

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Speaking about the schemes for the divyangs, the minister said that his ministry is working for providing opportunities and facilities for the disabled people so as to create an atmosphere which will guarantee them equal opportunities.

This can ensure the protection of their rights and enable their full participation in the society, he added.

Some of the schemes are like assistance to disabled persons by providing them with aids and appliances, and pensions for the disabled.

He informed the pressmen that 1,62,000 divyangs have received the divyang pension of Rs 1000 every month in Assam.

He further informed that his ministry, in is commitment for the welfare of the disabled people, has increased the reservation in central government, state government and semi government services for the disabled people.

Another decision that his ministry have taken is that families with incomes less than 8 lakh per annum will receive 10% reservation, he added.

The minister applauded the efforts of the Government of Assam for their commitment for the welfare of the SCs, STs, disabled and old-aged peoples.

He mentioned the scheme of the government, Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan or the accessible India Campaign which is set to serve the differently-able community of the country.

The schemes of the government of India, the minister said, have always been directed towards the welfare of all the people of the country including the ST, SC population and Divyangs.

Informing of the success of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in the state, the minister said that 35 lakh 67 thousand cylinder connections were provided so far since 2016.

In Jan Dhan Yojana, In Assam, a total of 1 crore 81 lakh accounts have been opened so far in Assam, he added.

Expressing his satisfaction over the progress of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Assam, the minister said that around 7, 30, 000 beneficiaries have got their homes so far.

Under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) loans have been provided worth 82 lakh 4 thousand beneficiaries to support micro or small businesses as well as start-ups from 2015.

The minister opined that every government should sincerely put in the effort for the enrichment of the life of the rural population, ST, SC population, and disabled people and that every state should come forward with innovative schemes for the disabled people.

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