Ambedkar's Birth Anniversary Celebrated
Patna: April 14, 2008
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Ambedkar's Birth Anniversary Celebrated
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Photo by Shashi Uttam |
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Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while denying allegations of trying to 'buy out' support of those from the so-called 'maha-dalit' section of the society, opened the state exchequer for them announcing over a dozen social welfare programs that would cost the state over Rs. 300 crore over a period of next three years.
Attending the maha-dalit convention to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Monday, Kumar kicked off 'Maha-dalit Development Mission' entailing over a dozen welfare programs including arrangement of lands and houses for the homeless, schools with dormitories for the children and 60% reservation in seats for admissions in Kasturba Girls School.
The Chief Minister also announced free tuition and Rs. 700 each year for school bags, books, shoes and sandals for children up to 5th grade, free radios and televisions in each area with predominantly maha-dalit population, and availability of solar energy to power radio, TVs and other electrical equipment.
In order to combat health problems and malnutrition, Kumar announced health cards for all maha-dalit families along with free eye tests and other medical care.
Provisions for clean drinking water and indoor sanitation was essential to stay healthy and disease-free, the Chief Minister said adding the government would provide up to Rs. 2,000 for the construction of indoor toilet to each family.
Stating he would personally monitor developments in these areas, Kumar said the people or the media should not arrive at the conclusion that these developmental schemes were being introduced with some hidden political motives.
Meanwhile, at nearby Bhartiya Nritya Kala Mandir, Governor R. S. Gavai addressed a group of people about the need for reservation in jobs and schools and colleges.
"Women have been empowered by the recent 50% reservation for them in the Panchayats and similar steps need to be taken for other weak sections of the society," Gavai said adding reservation was not a favor to those who need it but a social responsibility of the government and the society as a whole.
Governor's wife Kamala Gavai, in her speech enunciated the need for education among the poor and impoverished.
"Education is like the tigress' milk, it gives immense power in the form of knowledge," she said.
Earlier, Gavai, Nitish Kumar and other state leaders garlanded the statue of Ambedkar in Patna.
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