Parliamentary Committee Chairman Dr. (Professor) Kirit Premjibhai Solanki said Prayas Vidyalaya of Chhattisgarh is doing good work in the field of education for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes as well as children of Naxalite-affected families.
This, he said, is commendable.
The panel praised the work done in the social, economic and educational fields of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the state during an interaction with Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain and other senior officials.
The panel was on a two-day visit to the state. The team visited Prayas Residential Girls School of Raipur.
The Chief Secretary said that Eklavya Vidyalaya buildings are being constructed on forest land in Scheduled areas. He urged the committee to exempt the amount of diversion fee charged on forest land.
Solanki suggested fee waiver for children belonging to SC and ST in medical colleges.
Director General of Police Ashok Juneja said that in order to deal with crimes committed against SC and ST, out of 33 districts, special police stations have been set up in 27.
SC/ST cells have been formed in the remaining districts. Deputy Superintendents of Police have been appointed in these police stations. Similarly, special courts are functioning in 11 districts to review cases continuously.
The Commissioner of Tribal and Scheduled Castes Development Department, Shammi Abidi, said the state government was working on schemes with four components – faith, loyalty, effort and cooperation in Naxalite areas.
The Chief Secretary presented products made from millets to the parliamentary committee.