Minister assures Balmiki Samaj of Gohana of full support

Chandigarh, Aug 30 (UNI) The Minister of State for Cooperation, Mrs Meena Mandal today said that the Government was solidly behind the bereaved family and Balmiki Samaj of Gohana.

These views were expressed by the Cooperative Minister after visiting the family of the Rakesh alias Lara, who was killed on August 27 night.

The Minister assured that all efforts would be made to provide justice to the affected families at the earliest. She urged the Balmiki Community to maintain peace, harmony and fraternity in the society and not to be misled by mischivous and selfish elements.

She said that Haryana Government had implemented a number of welfare schemes for the welfare of all sections of the society, specially the needy segments.

The budget for the welfare of the people belonging to scheduled castes and backwards classes had been increased six times.

She said that the budget which was Rs 16.75 crore during 2004-05 had been increased to about Rs 100 crore during the current financial year.

Mrs. Meena Mandal said that with a view to motivate the students for higher education, Dr. Ambedkar Chatarvriti and Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship schemes had been implemented besides the budget for the stationary and uniform had also been increased. A sum of Rs 200 per month as special pay had been given to the Safai Karamcharis by the Chief Minister and expressed hope that more welfare schemes would also be launched for their benefit.

UNI