Badal describes scheduled caste community as backbone of Punjab

KILLIANWALI : Describing Scheduled Caste community as the backbone of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the Shiromani Akali Dal has always been a votary of their rights in accordance with the philosophy of great Sikh Gurus and thus the party has taken historic initiatives for their overall welfare during its past decade long regime. Addressing a ‘Dalit Chetna Rally’ here at grain market, the Chief Minister said that the Sikh Gurus have always repudiated discrimination on account of casteism and Shiromani Akali Dal has ever upheld the great philosophy of Sikh Gurus. He said that SAD had been consistently worked day in day out to safeguard the rights of the Scheduled Castes. Listing several pro-poor initiatives taken by his government for the welfare of unprivileged sections of the society, the Chief Minister said that Punjab was the first state in the country, which started Atta-Dal scheme and so far Wheat and Pulses worth Rs.3415 crore have been distributed amongst the beneficiaries under this scheme.At present, 1.13 crore people were covered under this scheme and with the addition of seven lac more families, the total number of people covered under this scheme would go up to 1.41 crore, which would nearly cover half of state’s population. Likewise, financial grant given under the Shagun scheme to Scheduled Castes, Muslim and Christian communities besides economically poor for the marriage of their daughters had been enhanced from Rs.5,100 to Rs.15,000. Similarly, Old age pension had also been doubled from Rs.250 to Rs.500 per month.