Dalit convention to have participants from 40 nations

Jalandhar, Dec 6 (UNI) Delegates from 40 countries will participate in the two-day international convention of dalits and minorities to begin in New Delhi on December 27, Union Chemicals and Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said today.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Paswan said the convention aiming at highlighting the need of ensuring power to the powerless people, would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and several union ministers, intellectuals and dignitaries from various walks of life would participate.

He said that even after 60 years of independence, poor people still remained non-entity in the political spheres in the country and the convention would discuss the ways and means to ensure that the poor and downtrodden got their due share in the power.

Mr Paswan also reiterated his party's support for the reservation and other SC class benefits to dalit christians and dalit muslims.

If dalit Sikhs and dalit Buddhists could be extended the benefits there was no reason to deny the same to the others, he said.

He demanded plan allocations from the Planning Commission for Dalit proportionate to their population.

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