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People question when Dalits get benefits, rues Minister

Narayanaswamy symbolically opens construction works of community hall
Last Updated 29 August 2012, 17:22 IST

There are no educated people in many scheduled caste communities. Hence, they are easily oppressed in the society, said Social Welfare and Prisons Minister A Narayanaswamy.

Speaking after the symbolic inauguration of the construction works of Mogera Sangha Samudaya Bhavan at SDM Law College here on Wednesday, Narayanasway regretted that whenever facilities are allotted for Dalits, some people from higher castes have problem.

"Our President and Prime Minister are given cooking gas under subsidy. The government is very enthusiastic in giving benefits to people who are in the forefront of the society. Nobody seems to have problem with that. However, when benefits are allotted to Dalits, people question about it,” he said.

Earlier, seven scheduled communities received benefits under reservation. Today, 101 scheduled castes and 51 scheduled tribes are receiving these benefits. There are communities dwelling in forests totally unaware of the benefits allotted for them. On the other hand, many from SC/ST communities are employed as daily wage labourers still striving to come to the mainstream, he said.

He also questioned on why differences still prevail in the society. The Dalits need to question against this mentality and the years of oppression they faced. No one is high or low in caste. The word low caste is not culturally correct. All are equal. The real problem is that we lack knowledge. There is a need to acquire knowledge, pursue education and hence come in the mainstream of the society," he said.

He also assured help, if Mogera Community takes a step towards establishing educational institutions for the community.

"Many Dalits do not receive benefits as they don’t have ration card. They don’t have ration card as they don’t have title deeds. There is a need to look into the matter," said Mayor Gulzar Banu submitting a memorandum to the Minister.

The new community hall is being built at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore. The State Government has already sanctioned Rs 1 crore. There are plans to establish a training institute to train self help groups and establish a hostel for the community students.

MLA S Angara was felicitated on the occasion. Later, he presided over the programme.

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(Published 29 August 2012, 17:22 IST)

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