Badal announces welfare measures for Balmikis

Chandigarh, July 11 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced various socio-economic measures for the upliftment of the Balmiki community in the state.

Mr Badal announced to reconstitute the Ram Tirath Development Committee for the overall development and the preservation of the ancient Ram Tirath temple in the right earnest.

He also agreed in principal to increase the grant from Rs 75,000 to Rs three lakh for organising a state level function on the birth anniversary of Maharishi Balmiki.

Mr Badal assured that the Bhagwan Balmiki Bhawans would be constructed at all district headquarters.

He made these announcements while responding to the demands put forth by a delegation of Bhartiya Balmiki Dharam Samaj led by its President Vijay Danav which met him today.

Besides, the state government had already introduced special component plan for the welfare of Scheduled Castes.

Mr Badal also announced to raise the grant for the construction of new Dharmshalas in the villages from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh.

Also, Rs 50,000 would be given for rejuvenating of the existing dharmshalas.

He said all the promises made in the SAD-BJP manifestos to the poor and downtrodden in general and Balmiki community in particular would be fulfilled in the first year of the present regime.

UNI