Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 8: A delegation from the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademy (BDSA), led by its President and former Chief Secretary B R Kundal, met with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to discuss important issues faced by the Dalit community in the Union Territory.
During the meeting, Kundal briefed Omar Abdullah about BDSA’s efforts to promote Dalit literature and work for the community’s socio-economic development.
Key issues raised included the need for an increase in the income criteria for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh per year, aligning it with the EWS criteria.
The delegation also called for reserved seats in recruitment and the reinstatement of reservation in promotions for Dalits in Government jobs.
Kundal highlighted discrimination in the allotment of Evacuee Properties, urging the Government to grant ownership rights of these properties to local allottees, as is done for refugees.
Concerns were also raised about the rising atrocities against Dalits, with a request for stricter enforcement of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The delegation proposed setting up a high-level monitoring committee, led by the Chief Secretary, to track such cases.
The absence of a Vice Chairman for the SC Development Advisory Board was another key issue taken up in the meeting, with Kundal stressing the need for leadership to guide Dalit welfare schemes.
He also urged the Government to implement reservations in all Government-funded housing projects, commercial plots, and residential colonies for Dalits.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah listened to the concerns and assured the delegation of the Government’s commitment to addressing these issues.
Other members of the delegation included Dr Rakesh Kumar Atri, Hemraj Phounsa, RL Bhagat, Nagarmal, and PL Bhushan.
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