Conforming to the tone of the occasion, Chief Minister Raghubar Das announced the formation of Scheduled Caste Council in Jharkhand after paying homage to Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 125th birth anniversary.
"Awaited for the past 14 years, the SC Council will look after the welfare and betterment of those belonging to the Scheduled Castes," Das stated before a mass gathering at Shaheed Maidan during Ambedkar's quasquicentennial birth anniversary programme put together by the Welfare Department on Thursday.
On this occasion, the CM also initiated the Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Awaas Yojna for needy widows of the State. Eight women from various blocks of Ranchi received their approval letters for the project, marking its beginning. Modelled on the lines of Indira Awaas Yojna, the financial aids will be transferred directly to the beneficiaries' bank accounts in three instalments.
"During my visit to lapung, I came across the housing gripes of widows in the State. This then became the inspiration behind the housing scheme which will be borne by the State Government. Additionally, pension schemes for widows of Jharkhand will be kick-started during this month," stated Das.
Enumerating the features of the initiative, Principal Secretary, Rural Development, NN Sinha pointed out, "Homeless widows or those who live in a one-room kuchcha house with income below Rs 5,000 will be brought under the aegis of the programme. The houses will feature facilities similar to those under Indira Awaas Yojna, like toilets and such. 11,000 widows will be covered under the project. Approval letters for 100 beneficiaries have already been drafted."
Speaking on the occasion, Welfare Minister louis Marandi enlisted the projects started by her department for betterment of the backward classes and those in pipeline.
"A 100-bed hostel will be opened in Ranchi during the current financial year for SC students who come to the State capital to prepare for competitive examinations but have to face problems in finding accommodations. A residential school will be started in Dumka for SC students of Santhal Pargana," said Marandi.
Marandi pointed out the rampant illiteracy among the fairer sex in Jharkhand, reflected in the 37 per cent literacy rate among women of the State. She called for a sensitisation movement aimed at ensuring education to girls of Jharkhand.
Seconding her views, the CM said, "If we intend to grow, we have to put more emphasis on imparting education to girls and women. For a developed State, every home has to be educated and that can be possible only with educating girls."
lok Sabha MP Ramtahal Choudhary attracted attention towards the water scarcity harrowing the State. "Pace of work towards solving the water crisis is very slow. Officials looking after the issue should take it more seriously on priority-basis. The dams can now be deepened and more water can be stored in them. Constructing ponds and dobhas should also be taken up enthusiastically," he said.