SC Welfare Minister Highlights Urgent Need for Upliftment

By  Firstdespatch Desk   Apr 24, 2025

Agartala, April 24 (FD) In a state-level review meeting held at the Tribal Welfare Department conference hall in Gorkhabasti, Scheduled Castes Welfare Minister Sudhanshu Das emphasized the urgent need for greater dedication to uplift underprivileged communities. He urged officials of the SC Welfare Department to ensure that the benefits of various government schemes reach the Scheduled Caste (SC) population effectively.

Highlighting the socio-economic development of the SC community, Minister Das revealed a budgetary allocation of ₹130.74 crore for the financial year 2025–26. Stressing the importance of sincerity and timely execution of development projects, he called for regular inspections of schools, hostels, and training centers and coordination with the three-tier panchayat system. He also announced that district-level review meetings would begin in May to enhance accountability.

Director Jayanta Dey, through a PowerPoint presentation, reported that 17,819 students received pre-matric scholarships and 7,461 students were awarded the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Merit Award last year. Under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jati Abhyudaya Yojana, ₹159.51 lakh was approved for infrastructure projects in 32 SC-majority villages. The Mukhyamantri SC Vikas Yojana aims to support 1,428 livestock rearers and 500 vendors in the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Notable developments include the completion of several SC girls’ hostels, expansion of the Maharajganj fish market with ₹747 lakh funding, and provision of scholarships and stipends to thousands of students.

The meeting began with a moment of silence for victims of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. FD SB JK