Patwa Committee Report submitted in MP

Bhopal, Feb 8 (UNI) A seven-member committee, formed under the stewardship of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sunderlal Patwa, has urged the Madhya Pradesh government and BJP organisation to enhance its ambit of influence among Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and weaker sections in the state before the forthcoming elections.

The committee was formed during the BJP introspection meet at Sanchi on January 8 and 9 for the success of Mission 2008 whose objective is to return the BJP to power in Madhya Pradesh. The report, presented to BJP state President Narendra Singh Tomar today, made 11 suggestions to the organisation and 26 to the regime.

It suggested that a scheme be drafted, after assembly constituency-wise analysis, so as to enhance influence among SC segments. It is understood that the BJP is focussing on weaker sections to tackle the challenge posed by the Bahujan Samaj Party, which is preparing to enter the poll fray with a strategy to garner upper castes' support.

The committee recommended organisation of programmes in the name of Raidas, Kabir and Valmiki besides increasing the number of full-time workers in SC areas.

In a pointer to the power crisis, the report said that the government should appoint an experienced and full-time chairman in the State Electricity Board. It was also recommended that farmers' electricity dues be recovered in two instalments and consumers' grievances be redressed.

The committee suggested doing away with corporations and boards that were merely white elephants or playing the role of middlemen. A minimum of four vice-chairmen should be nominated at state level to the Deendayal Antyodaya Committee and should be empowered to review schemes.

The report emphasised on peasants, SC/ST welfare, providing employment on priority basis to locals at new factories in various areas, camps for redressal of grievances pertaining to inclusion in destitute and widow pension schemes. The committee spoke of formation of an agricultural labourers' cell for effective percolation of benefits of the Chief Minister's Labourers' Insurance Scheme.

The report said that many people were struck off the Below Poverty Line list in the 2003 survey as per the poverty standards of the Centre's National Sample Survey Organisation and the state government should go by the pre-2003 list.

UNI AG-AC PDT HT2145