SC-ST Schemes Appreciated By Punia

Chairman of the National Commission for SCs Dr. P L Punia, on Wednesday, said, "The government of Andhra Pradesh is doing an excellent job for the overall welfare of SCs."

The Chairman, on a visit to the State, had called on Chief Minister K Rosaiah at the Secretariat.

"I will not hesitate to state that AP is a role model for the rest of the country in the successful implementation of several schemes meant for SCs," he said.

The initiatives of the State government in the field of education, integrated hostels for girls, and online disbursement of scholarship are quite good, he said.

He lauded the Chief Minister for conducting Dalit awareness campaigns in the State during the period from 5th to 14th April, like nowhere else in the country.

Rosaiah told the Chairman about the implementation of SC and ST Component Plan in the State and the steps taken on the atrocities on SCs and STs in the State.

He said the Post-Matric Scholarship budget has increased tenfold from Rs. 308 crore in 2003-04 to Rs. 3,000 crore in 2010-11. He said that the Government is constructing integrated welfare hostels to provide better amenities for SCs, and that 400 new college hostels were opened in 2009-10.

He also said that meritorious students from weaker sections are being admitted in reputed private junior colleges – 26 were admitted in IITs and 2,000 through the AIEEE.

Rosaiah said he will hold a video conference with District Collectors on October 23 on various issues including initiatives taken up for the welfare of SCs and STs, and the implementation of the Special Component Plan for SCs and STs at the field level.

Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sam Bob, Principal Secretary for Social Welfare Raymond Peter and Commissioner for Social Welfare A Ashok were also present.

Courtesy: INN