Union Minister Manjhi urges Centre to take steps to help lagging Dalit castes

Patna, Aug 10 (PTI) A day after the Union Cabinet asserted that there was no provision for a creamy layer in the reservation for SCs and STs in the Constitution, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi requested the Centre to address the needs of Dalit castes that are lagging behind.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Manjhi, who previously served as Bihar Chief Minister from 2014 to 2015 and is currently the Union Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, emphasised the necessity for targeted measures to uplift less advantaged Dalit castes.

“I was present at the Union Cabinet meeting on Friday where it was confirmed that there would be no provision for a creamy layer within the SC and ST reservation quotas. During the meeting, I requested the government to introduce provisions aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of those castes among Dalits who are currently lagging behind,” he added.

Manjhi, the founder of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and an ally of the NDA, pointed out that benefits from the SC/ST reservation system are predominantly enjoyed by only a few Dalit castes.

He explained, “Only three to four castes among Dalits are reaping the full benefits of the reservation system, including gaining positions as IAS and IPS officers and engineers. Meanwhile, several other Dalit groups, such as Bhuiya, Musahar, Dom, and scavengers, continue to lag significantly behind due to a lack of education and other factors. The government must implement specific measures to uplift these disadvantaged castes within the Dalit community.”

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, affirmed on Friday that there is no constitutional provision for a creamy layer within the SC-ST reservation framework as outlined by B R Ambedkar.

In contrast, Bihar BJP leaders welcomed the Cabinet’s decision.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed his support saying, “The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to uphold the constitutional provisions laid out by Dr B R Ambedkar. There is no provision for a ‘creamy layer’ in SC/ST reservation according to the Constitution. The Cabinet has decided that SC/ST reservations will remain as per the constitutional guidelines.”

Hot this week

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Pakistani nationals asked to leave Meghalaya by April end

Shillong, Apr 26: The state police have directed all...

Illegal sand mining sparks violent clash in Dalgaon: 4 policemen injured, 34 arrested

Guwahati, April 26: A violent confrontation over illegal sand...

Warholm sets unofficial world record in 300m hurdles at Diamond League opener

Xiamen (China), Apr 26: Norwegian standout Karsten Warholm improved...

Over 450 Indians leave Pakistan for home via Wagah border

Lahore, Apr 26: More than 450 Indians have left...

Houses razed, hundreds detained in massive crackdown in Kashmir post Pahalgam massacre

Srinagar, Apr 26: Authorities in Kashmir have launched a...

Democratic politics have fundamentally changed globally, says Rahul Gandhi

Hyderabad, Apr 26: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on...

3 dead in Russian attacks on Ukraine as Zelenskyy meets Trump at Vatican

Kyiv, Apr 26: Three people have been killed overnight...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img