Pay special attention to increase literacy among SC girls

MoS Shri Khatik reviews departmental activities

Minister of State for Scheduled Castes Welfare Shri Harishankar Khatik has said that cent percent admission should be given to scheduled caste girls in schools. He also directed to distribute amounts under department’s girls’ literacy scheme positively by August 15. Shri Khatik was reviewing departmental activities at Mantralaya here. Secretary SC Welfare Shri Ashok Shah and Commissioner SC Development were also present on the occasion.

This year, Scheduled Castes Welfare Department will distribute Rs. 35 crore under girls’ literacy scheme to girls taking admission in class VI, IX and XI.

Shri Khatik said that development works in SC habitats should be completed within time-limit. He said that priority should be given to supply of power pumps to SC farmers. He directed to increase number of students under foreign study scholarship scheme from 10 to 50. Shri Khatik said that skill development training should be imparted as per local requirements.

It was informed at the meeting that Rs. 15 crore has been provisioned this year under scholarship from class 1 to V and Rs. 35 crore for class VI to X. Last year, about 21 lakh students from class 1 to X were benefited with scholarships. Rs. 8 crore was also distributed to over 30 thousand 500 students belonging to families engaged in clean occupations last year. Payment of scholarships worth Rs. 288 crore was made to 2 lakh 67 thousand students last year. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar awards are being given to students having secured highest marks in class X and XII exams. Last year, 225 students were selected under the scheme.

This year, Rs. 70 crore has been provisioned for infrastructure development works in predominately scheduled caste localities. Last year, 1990 works were sanctioned under the scheme. At the meeting, discussions were also held on implementation of SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Shri Khatik directed to increase the number of special courts from 43 to 50.