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Dalit worker alleges rape by IIMC clerk on campus – Catch news
http://www.catchnews.com/india-news/dalit-worker-alleges-rape-by-iimc-official-on-campus-1458150314.html
Accused forced Dalit minor girl into prostitution at gunpoint – Orissa post
http://www.orissapost.com/accused-forced-dalit-minor-girl-into-prostitution-at-gunpoint/
At Rs 50,000, murder is cheap in Tamil Nadu – Deccan chronicle
http://deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/170316/at-rs-50-000-murder-is-cheap-in-tamil-nadu.html
Dalit tenants beaten up for serving pork in wedding party – Nyoooz
http://www.nyoooz.com/noida/393167/dalit-tenants-beaten-up-for-serving-pork-in-wedding-party
Tirupur Dalit murder: NCSC team meets victim’s wife, family – Nyoooz
http://www.nyoooz.com/coimbatore/393527/tirupur-dalit-murder58-ncsc-team-meets-victims-wife-family
Chennai: Dalit minor ‘tortured’ in ‘mistaken identity’ case – The Indian express
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/chennai-dalit-minor-tortured-in-mistaken-identity-case/
Irudhi Suttru Based on Dalit Boxer Thulasi Helen? – The news Indian express
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Irudhi-Suttru-Based-on-Dalit-Boxer-Thulasi-Helen/2016/03/17/article3330445.ece
Civil reps censure PHC verdict in women’s vote denial case – The nation news
http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/17-Mar-2016/civil-reps-censure-phc-verdict-in-women-s-vote-denial-case
Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) Short Interest Decreased By 4.32% – Business standard tribune
http://www.standardtrib.com/pool-corporation-nasdaqpool-short-interest-decreased-by-4-32.html
Ambedkar model villages may figure in budget proposals – The hindu
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/ambedkar-model-villages-may-figure-in-budget-proposals/article8361714.ece
Punjab hikes allocation for SCSP by 27 pc to Rs 8624 crore – Business standard
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/punjab-hikes-allocation-for-scsp-by-27-pc-to-rs-8624-crore-116031600919_1.html
Please Watch
Nonadanga Activist Says: “Upper Caste Bengalis Call Dalits Pigs When We Assert”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3BLyt6z4TM
Catch news
Dalit worker alleges rape by IIMC clerk on campus
http://www.catchnews.com/india-news/dalit-worker-alleges-rape-by-iimc-official-on-campus-1458150314.html
The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) may be in the eye of another storm. A Dalit worker has alleged that she was raped by a clerk at India’s premier journalism school.
The woman, who works as a contractual labourer at the IIMC, said she was raped by Sagar Rana, a lower-division clerk working there, on 15 August last year.
Rana apparently first called her to his house on the pretext of shopping for grocery for his grandmother. He then raped her, filmed her and threatened to put the video on the Internet, if she didn’t keep mum, the complainant alleged.
That was not all. Rana raped her twice after this at his official accommodation on campus, she alleged. Once he even tried to etch his name on her wrist with a knife, she claimed
After this, the woman confided in her husband and approached the police. An FIR was registered on 18 September and the accused was taken into custody.
The complainant’s husband has been employed on contract for the last 12 years by the IIMC, which is under the Union Ministry for Information and Broadcasting.
He said Rana’s father is the driver of the Secretary in the I & B Ministry and has been employed in that position for 14 years. Rana’s relatives threatened and intimidated the couple to withdraw the complaint.
“He is a powerful man in IIMC who throws his weight around with lower grade employees. That day, when the complaint was registered, Rana’s father turned up at the police station with 10 relatives and a member of the IIMC staff,” the rape survivor’s husband said.
“They threatened me outside the police station, asking me to withdraw the complaint. His relatives suggested a ‘compromise’ many times and offered me money. He then called Anurag Mishra, IIMC’s Officer on Special Duty, and handed over the phone to me. The OSD then asked me to withdraw the complaint, saying it is a ‘college matter’ and we should sort it out within the institute. I said no.”
According to the victim , she was intimidated and forced to change her statement from rape to molestation at the Patiala House Courts the next day. “Ten people with a lawyer surrounded us and said ‘people get murdered in such cases, withdraw your complaint’. Since we did not have a lawyer and didn’t know what to do, I changed my statement.”
Rana was sent to Tihar jail and remained there from 18 to 22 September and was released thereafter. No charge sheet was filed until last month. Although he was transferred to the Dhenkenal campus, his transfer order was revoked and he continues to work at the Delhi campus.
According to the couple, they still get threats from Rana’s aides, many of whom allegedly are within the administration.
“Two-three people within the administration have asked me repeatedly to withdraw the complaint against this man as he is very powerful. Rana himself told me ‘you don’t know who my father is, I can get away with murder’. I know they are hatching a plan to throw me out of the IIMC. We are poor and unable to deal with the technicalities of the matter, but we want justice,” the survivor’s husband said.
“Very often, Rana’s father would come and shout abuses outside his quarters in IIMC. Ek ek to dekh lenge (we would take each one of you to task), he would say. The quarters itself was given him out of turn. The office has been hand-in-glove with them,” said a faculty member who did not wish to be named.
The complainant received fresh threats even as the story was being written.
Rana’s father, however, said: “Since the matter is now sub judice, we don’t have anything to say. Whatever the court decides, we will comply in full spirit. I have been working at the ministry for 14 years.
“If my son is at fault, let the court give whatever punishment it deems fit. I want to add that I never threatened anybody. People have been harassing me for so long on this matter. If they can prove that me or my son have threatened or harassed them, I can kill myself. Neither have we created any pressure on them nor have we harassed them.”
Sunil Arora took his current charge as Secretary I&B five months ago – – much after the alleged incident took place.
“The matter is sub-judice. Whatever is required to be done under the Vishakha guidelines will be done. Additionally, since you’ve just informed that the victim is alleging harassment, I will set up a high-level enquiry committee headed by a senior female joint sectary of the Ministry to speak to the victim and look into the matter,” he said
According to Anurag Mishra, IIMC was in no position to comment on the issue as the matter was sub-judice. “If they felt intimidated, they should have knocked on the doors of the courts,” he said.
A few days back, OSD Anurag Mishra was transferred out of IIMC, but continues to officiate in the lack of a replacement. With the Director General’s post vacant for five months now, IIMC is practically headless.
Jayshree Jethwani, Chairperson of IIMC’s Internal Complaints Committee, said since the victim did not first approach the institute and went to the police, the committee does not have a locus standi in the matter. However, due investigation was done and a report sent to the authorities.
According to the investigating officer of the case, now transferred out of Vasant Kunj Police Station, the charge sheet was filed under Sections 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 323 (threat to violence) of the Indian Penal Code.
The couple, meanwhile, has no information on the charge sheet and still awaits justice.
Orissa post
Accused forced Dalit minor girl into prostitution at gunpoint
http://www.orissapost.com/accused-forced-dalit-minor-girl-into-prostitution-at-gunpoint/
Kendrapara: Patkura police Wednesday arrested three persons for forcing minor girls into prostitution and operating a sex racket at Shree Sai Guesthouse near Sum Hospital in Bhubaneswar, said Kendrapara SP Nitinjeet Singh.
The arrested persons were identified as Sanjay Hati, the pimp, his wife Jhilirani Mallick and his father-in-law Gurucharan Mallick. Police also seized a four wheeler, four mobiles and some SIM cards from their possession.
According to Singh, a Dalit minor girl after escaping from the clutches of the pimp reached her village and lodged an FIR with Patkura police Tuesday.
The girl Kabya (name changed) , a Class-X student, along with her friend Yamu (name changed) fled from their village January 10 after being lured by Sanjay on the promise of jobs in a Andhra Pradesh-based company. A girl Mali (name changed), a relative sister-in-law of Sanjay, helped the latter in the scheme.
However, when the girls were taken to Bhubaneswar, they were forcibly engaged in flesh trade at the guesthouse. Kabya alleged in her FIR she was forced to attend to customers at gunpoint and was physically assaulted several times. Sanjay and Jhilirani also threatened the girl not to disclose the matter to her family and restricted her from communicating with her family, Kendrapara sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Purnachandra Pradhan said.
Fortunately, Kabya escaped from the clutches of the pimp and reached Tarada village under Patkura police station Sunday.
Kabya and Yamu were medically examined at Patkura community health centre Wednesday while Sanjay was taken in custody for further interrogation, Pradhan said. Mali is yet to be arrested.
Deccan chronicle
At Rs 50,000, murder is cheap in Tamil Nadu
http://deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/170316/at-rs-50-000-murder-is-cheap-in-tamil-nadu.html
Special police team, which has nabbed five key accused in the honour killing case, has now launched a hunt for the kingpin of the gang.
Coimbatore: In yet another sensational disclosure in the honour killing of the Dalit youth, the police revealed that the gang from south Tamil Nadu which planned and executed the heinous murder was paid just an advance of Rs 50,000.
The special police team, which has nabbed five key accused in the honour killing case, has now launched a hunt for the kingpin of the gang, besides the Dalit youth’s mother-in-law Annalaxmi and uncle Pandithurai.
The Dalit engineering student, who married upper caste Thevar girl Kausalya, was murdered by a gang hired by Kausalya’s father, Chinnasamy, who surrendered before the police and is now lodged in jail.With investigations progressing, many shocking details are tumbling out. A higher police official told DC that Chinnasamy, who is a finaniciear, had met a cab driver, Jagadeesan at their family temple near Dindigul a few years ago.
Nyoooz
Dalit tenants beaten up for serving pork in wedding party
http://www.nyoooz.com/noida/393167/dalit-tenants-beaten-up-for-serving-pork-in-wedding-party
Summary: “Bhupender, a resident, said, that the guests of the Dalit family wedding threw pork leftover out in the open, which further upset the already hurt neighbours. When the owner confronted the Dalit family members, there was a heated argument that turned into fisticuffs. The Gujjar family also alleged that the Dalit tenants had also stolen Rs 50,000 cash and jewellery from their house.Police defused the tension and were keeping tabs on the situation in Tugalpur. SP Abhishek Yadav confirmed that there were scuffles between the property owner and tenant over pig meat on Tuesday night. Greater Noida: A Dalit family was thrashed for allegedly cooking and serving pork at a wedding ceremony in Tugalpur village, Greater Noida, on Tuesday night.The houseowner, a Gujjar, beat up members of a tenant family for having cooked pig meat, according to police and neighbours.
Greater Noida: A Dalit family was thrashed for allegedly cooking and serving pork at a wedding ceremony in Tugalpur village, Greater Noida, on Tuesday night.The houseowner, a Gujjar, beat up members of a tenant family for having cooked pig meat, according to police and neighbours. The Gujjar family also alleged that the Dalit tenants had also stolen Rs 50,000 cash and jewellery from their house.Police defused the tension and were keeping tabs on the situation in Tugalpur. SP Abhishek Yadav confirmed that there were scuffles between the property owner and tenant over pig meat on Tuesday night.”The timely intervention of police brought the situation under control and prevented it from turning into a bigger clash,” Yadav said.In the violence that took place in Tugalpur, which falls under Greater Noida’s Knowledge Park police station limits, the Gujjar family members attacked the members of the tenant family and their associates who had assembled.The houseowner told police that the Dalit tenant’s cooking of pork had outraged other residents as well.A senior police officer said, “The area’s residents and other tenants of the Gujjar property owner complained to him about pork being served at the wedding function.
When the owner confronted the Dalit family members, there was a heated argument that turned into fisticuffs.”Bhupender, a resident, said, that the guests of the Dalit family wedding threw pork leftover out in the open, which further upset the already hurt neighbours.”They were asked to not throw the meat waste in the open. The neighbours complained to the houseowner when they did not pay heed,” Bhupender said.
Nyoooz
Tirupur Dalit murder: NCSC team meets victim’s wife, family
http://www.nyoooz.com/coimbatore/393527/tirupur-dalit-murder58-ncsc-team-meets-victims-wife-family
Summary: The NCSC team which visited the scene of crime and spent time with the victim’s wife and family, also said the Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer has been asked to help Shankar’s family get Rs. The committee was also briefed on the harassment faced by the inter-caste couple and Mr. Shankar’s family from the relatives of Ms. Kausalya. Senior hospital authorities said that psychiatric counselling was also given to her on Wednesday. The committee members then visited Ms. Kausalya at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) where she reportedly expressed her desire to pursue studies. 5 lakh from the corpus created by the Ambedkar Foundation for the benefit of Scheduled Caste victims of such violence.
The NCSC team which visited the scene of crime and spent time with the victim’s wife and family, also said the Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer has been asked to help Shankar’s family get Rs. 5 lakh from the corpus created by the Ambedkar Foundation for the benefit of Scheduled Caste victims of such violence. Reacting to the release of photos of the accused, Mr.
Lister, who was the team’s investigator, said it (the release) would not have any impact on the identification parade and investigation as images of the accused were already captured on CCTV. The committee was also briefed on the harassment faced by the inter-caste couple and Mr. Shankar’s family from the relatives of Ms. Kausalya. The committee members then visited Ms.
The Indian express
Chennai: Dalit minor ‘tortured’ in ‘mistaken identity’ case
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/chennai-dalit-minor-tortured-in-mistaken-identity-case/
The illegal custody and torture of a Dalit teenager hailing from Chennai’s Kannagi Nagar locality was a case of mistaken identity, the victim’s family as well as sources in the police have said. V Mukesh (17), a Class VII dropout from the Scheduled Caste Adi Dravidar community, is now left with severe injuries and loss of hearing in one ear. City police commissioner T K Rajendran has, meanwhile, announced the suspension of a constable attached to Taramani police station.
The victim’s father P Vincent said at around 10.30 pm on Friday, six people claiming to be policemen barged into their house in Kannagi Nagar, a suburban locality populated by slum-dwellers who were relocated from the city.
“They were in plain clothes and came on two motor bikes and a white police van. They took my son into custody and told us that they were taking him to Mylapore police station in connection with a case of cellphone theft,” said Vincent. He added that Mukesh had told them that he was not taken to a police station, but a spot near the railway tracks. He was allegedly blindfolded and thrashed for almost two hours before the men realised that they had caught the wrong person.
Despite repeated requests, Rajendran and DGP Ashok Kumar did not respond to queries. A senior officer in his office said one constable has been suspended and two home guards have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The news Indian express
Irudhi Suttru Based on Dalit Boxer Thulasi Helen?
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Irudhi-Suttru-Based-on-Dalit-Boxer-Thulasi-Helen/2016/03/17/article3330445.ece
CHENNAI: She stepped into the boxing ring to train when she was 12 years old; within a week or two, she was fighting seasoned boxers who were twice her age. Meet Thualsi Helen, fondly known as Lady Mohammed Ali for her footwork and body movement that’s similar to the legend’s. Having won several tournaments by knockouts in the Women’s Boxing category Thulasi is all set to get back into professional boxing after a four-year break.
“Being a woman, sustaining in boxing amid so many problems is a struggle. But, I don’t want to look back; only look forward to pro boxing,” she says.
By the time she was 24, Thulasi was known as one of the best boxers in the country. “That was the beginning of my career. My sister began boxing first. Watching her, I developed an interest and started punching my way through,” says the 30-year-old.
Born in a Dalit family, discrimination was a way of life for Thulasi. After her first few matches, she left home due to family disputes and started living with her grandmother and friends. From delivering pizzas to driving an auto, this pugilist has done it all to survive. “I have always had the ambition to never give up. I want to go back to being on top of the rankings,” she shares.
Winning her first gold in 2000 at the Indian International Boxing Championship, New Delhi, was the turning point of her career. At 14, she was selected by the Sports Authority of India for training in Kollam (Kerala) for a year. “We didn’t know that our train tickets were free and that we would get paid for the matches I play. Not a single penny came by. Only after arriving in Kerala and talking to other state players did I know that we were being cheated,” she recollects.
Fighting her way to the top and defeating Olympian Mary Kom in 2008, Thulasi has won over 30 medals in 16 years.
Does her life sound familiar to you? It should, as Thulasi says the film Irudhi Suttru is her real-life story. “When I saw the movie with my friends, we couldn’t believe that the plot including the small scenes, was based on our lives (Thulasi and her sister). I don’t blame anyone for not crediting us. I only want to appreciate and thank the director for portraying reality.”
Her marriage was short-lived and after a temporary halt in boxing in 2011, she bounced back in 2014 through the documentary, Light Fly, Fly High by Norwegian filmmakers Beathe Hofseth and Susann Ostigard, which was again based on her life story. The documentary won seven international film fest awards.
Firmly holding on to her gloves, Thulasi wants to create a benchmark in women’s boxing and is looking for support. She works at Toneez fitness center and says that her employer, Sriram Vasantharajan, is helping her achieve her dream. “He is backing me and looking for sponsors as well. Though I don’t play for money, right now money is my need,” she says.
Thulasi trains thrice a day and teaches boxing in Nanganallur.
The nation news
Civil reps censure PHC verdict in women’s vote denial case
http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/17-Mar-2016/civil-reps-censure-phc-verdict-in-women-s-vote-denial-case
Islamabad – Civil society representatives have censured the Peshawar High Court’s overturning of Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision that had declared the Lower Dir bye-election null and void for lack of participation of women voters.
Civil society networks and platforms all across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad expressed their strongest protest at the court’s overturning the ECP’s decision of 2nd June 2015, which had declared null and void the Lower Dir PK-95 bye-election of 7th May 2015.
The ECP had also withheld the notification of the highest polling candidate; and instead had ordered a fresh bye-election.
They in a statement said instead of considering the merits of the case and admitting the requests for impleading by the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and women’s rights defenders as co-petitioners; and then hearing their substantive arguments and facts of the case, which the ECP did in May 2015, the PHC refused the requests and rendered its decision on the petition of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government coalition partner Jamaat-e-Islami (JI)’s highest polling candidate on a mere technicality.
In fact, this technicality is a highly contentious and controversial one i.e.
the PHC has agreed with the JI candidate’s lawyer’s stance that the ECP “had overstepped its lawful authority and jurisdiction” in giving the judgement; and that this election petition should have been heard before an election tribunal rather than before the chief election commissioner and two commissioners, stated the activists.
This is not the first time that constitutional articles have been interpreted differently by lawyers, by various tiers of the judiciary, and by independent commissions such as the ECP.
However, it is indeed a serious setback to the zealously attained and preserved autonomy and independence of the ECP, and it could have far-reaching negative consequences in future elections or bye-elections.
They called the constitutional experts to seriously discuss whether or not the constitutionally-guaranteed autonomy and independence of the ECP has been wrongfully assailed, or whether the ECP had overstepped its authority and jurisdiction.
In fact, this is a vital case for the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) to exercise its suo moto powers.
This was a landmark case for Pakistani women’s rights activists and the PHC’s order is a huge setback to the constitutional provision and protection of women’s equal rights of political participation and universal franchise and Pakistani women’s ongoing struggle for gender justice.
Coming just seven days after the euphoria of the observance of International Women’s Day on 8th March, it is indeed a serious blow.
Women’s rights defenders expressed their intention to appeal against the PHC’s judgement in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, through a team of lawyers, led by Justice (Retd) Tariq Mahmood and Advocate Asma Jahangir.
The networks and individuals who endorsed the decision include Aman Tehreek, BKEF, EVAWG Alliance, ICDI, Insani Huqooq Ittehad, KP Civil Society Network (KPCSN), LAAS, PRHN, TDN, TNC, Taqrra Qabaili Khwenday (TQK), Ulasi Tehreek, Women’s Action Forum (WAF), Women Writers Forum (WWF), and by scores of individual human rights activists, lawyers and academicians in Islamabad, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA, Karachi, Multan and Lahore.
Business standard tribune
Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) Short Interest Decreased By 4.32%
http://www.standardtrib.com/pool-corporation-nasdaqpool-short-interest-decreased-by-4-32.html
The stock of Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) registered a decrease of 4.32% in short interest. POOL’s total short interest was 2.33 million shares in March as published by FINRA. Its down 4.32% from 2.44M shares, reported previously. With 432,900 shares average volume, it will take short sellers 5 days to cover their POOL’s short positions. The short interest to Pool Corporation’s float is 5.84%. The stock increased 0.52% or $0.43 during the last trading session, hitting $82.71. About 182,087 shares traded hands. Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) has risen 17.00% since August 11, 2015 and is uptrending. It has outperformed by 21.20% the S&P500.
Pool Corporation is a distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment and related leisure products. The company has a market cap of $3.48 billion. The Firm is also a distributor of irrigation and landscape products. It has 28.53 P/E ratio. The Firm operates approximately 328 sales centers in North America, Europe, South America and Australia through its four distribution networks: SCP Distributors ; Superior Pool Products (Superior); Horizon Distributors (Horizon), and National Pool Tile (NPT).
The institutional sentiment decreased to 1.11 in Q3 2015. Its down 0.20, from 1.31 in 2015Q2. The ratio dived, as 22 funds sold all Pool Corporation shares owned while 68 reduced positions. 27 funds bought stakes while 73 increased positions. They now own 37.40 million shares or 7.19% less from 40.30 million shares in 2015Q2.
Villere St Denis J & Co Llc holds 5.81% of its portfolio in Pool Corporation for 1.52 million shares. Kdi Capital Partners Llc owns 157,539 shares or 3.31% of their US portfolio. Moreover, Tamro Capital Partners Llc has 2.09% invested in the company for 254,130 shares. The United Kingdom-based Impax Asset Management Ltd has invested 1.95% in the stock. Fiduciary Management Associates Llc, a Illinois-based fund reported 342,600 shares.
Out of 3 analysts covering Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL), 4 rate it “Buy”, 0 “Sell”, while 4 “Hold”. This means 50% are positive. Pool Corporation was the topic in 6 analyst reports since July 28, 2015 according to StockzIntelligence Inc.
The hindu
Ambedkar model villages may figure in budget proposals
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/ambedkar-model-villages-may-figure-in-budget-proposals/article8361714.ece
A slew of schemes are likely to be announced in the State Budget for the welfare of Dalits as part of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of B.R. Ambedkar.
According to official sources, villages with more than 50 per cent Scheduled Caste population are likely to be declared as model villages and named after the Dalit icon.
Allocation of funds for construction of houses under Dr. Ambedkar Awas Yojna is expected to be increased from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh per house in rural areas.
The Social Welfare Department is planning to seek higher allocation for Dr. Ambedkar Development Corporation. A sum of Rs. 50 crore is likely to be allocated for setting up a Babu Jagjivan Ram National Research Centre on five acres near Magadi, on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
The department as a whole is expected to get Rs. 1,500 crore additional allocation compared to the previous year (Rs. 6,547 crore was allocated for 2015–16). Minister H. Anjaneya is expected to make efforts to create employment opportunities, improve facilities in hostels and residential schools, and increase monthly food expenses for students residing in hostels.
Dalit organisations have expressed anguish over the delay in setting up of the Rajya Safai Karmachari Abhivrudhi Nigama, which was announced in the 2015–16 budget for the development of safai karmacharis and pourakarmikas.
“Rules for the Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan Act have not been framed even after several appeals. The very purpose of the Act has got defeated and some of the provisions of the Act are being misused” M. Venkatesh, president of the Dalit Bahujana Chaluvali, alleged.
Business standard
Punjab hikes allocation for SCSP by 27 pc to Rs 8624 crore
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/punjab-hikes-allocation-for-scsp-by-27-pc-to-rs-8624-crore-116031600919_1.html
The allocation for Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) inPunjab has been hiked by whopping 27 per cent to Rs 8,624 crore, exclusively for the welfare of Scheduled Castes population in the state’s budget.
Punjab has the highest percentage of SC population amongst all the states of the country. The SC population in the state is 88.60 lakh which is 31.94 per cent of total population of 2.77 crore in the state as against 16.6 per cent SC population in the country.
A sum of Rs 8,624 crore has been allocated for SCSP which is part of Punjab’s Annual Plan of Rs 25,479 crore for 2016-17, as per budget documents.
The size of SCSP for 2016-17 has been pegged at Rs 8,624 crore which is 33.85 per cent of total state plan outlay of Rs 25,479 crore for 2016-17, as per Scheduled Castes Sub Plan.
Punjab government had made an allocation of Rs 6,764 crore for SCSP for 2015-16.
Punjab Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa yesterday presented the budget at Vidhan Sabha here.
SCSP aims to ensure adequate benefits for socio-economic and educational development of SC both in physical and financial terms by providing funds out of total allocation of state plan in proportion to the percentage of SC population in the state.
In the SCSP, SAD-BJP led Punjab government has earmarked Rs 5,817 crore, Rs 802 crore, Rs 940 crore and Rs 1,063 crore for health & housing, social security programme, education, training & skill development and economic development programme respectively, despite “tight” fiscal situation.
“During 2016-17, out of SCSP allocation of Rs 8624 crore, the funds amounting to Rs 2,065 crore are likely to be spent as centre share under various centrally sponsored schemes. In addition, special central assistance of Rs 70 crore is likely to be utilized depending upon the grant to be released under central sector scheme,” as per documents.
In the state budget, the Finance Minister has announced to provide youth of SC and BC families interest free education loan upto Rs 5 lakh for the duration of the course through the Central Cooperative Banks, among new initiatives taken for SC welfare.
News monitored by AMRESH & AJEET
