Union minister to ensure rights of oppressed section

Agartala, May 30 (UNI) Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar today urged the administration to ensure the rights of backward classes and oppressed section.

Addressing the sixth meeting of the Committee on Protection of Civil Right Act 1955 and SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 here, Ms Kumar said the Centre had initiated a project for creating awareness and proper dissemination of information regarding various government schemes at the grassroot level. This was essential to address the problem of the poorest among the poor in a scientific manner, she added.

Officials from West Bengal, Orissa, Manipur and Tripura were present at the meeting.

Ms Kumar, along with the officials of several other central agencies, arrived here yesterday and reviewed Centrally sponsored schemes to uplift the socio-economic status of backward classes.

She said easy reach of finance to the target group through Micro Finance and linkages for marketing of products made by artisans were major areas to be addressed for successful implementation of schemes.

She stressed the need of identifying problems in delivery mechanism so that the beneficiaries might get loans without hassle and also repay in time.

Ms Kumar said the image of the Backward Classes must be changed through introducing technological skill development programme for the youth.

She also stated that the State Channelising Agencies have greater responsibilities to improve the socio-economic condition of weaker sections and urged the state government to come up with viable projects keeping in view the need of the people.

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