Dalit body launches state-wide protest over stalled funds

Protesting against Punjab government's failure to release Rs 4,039 crore allocated for various welfare schemes under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan, the Chamar Mahan Sabha on Monday launched a state-wide agitation here.

Protesting against Punjab government's failure to release Rs 4,039 crore allocated for various welfare schemes under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan, the Chamar Mahan Sabha on Monday launched a state-wide agitation here.

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Nearly 400 agitators raised slogans against chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. They staged protest marches at different places in the city. Sabha president Paramjit Singh Kainth said the SAD-BJP government was least bothered about releasing the money meant for the welfare of the community.

He further said that in order to create awareness over the issue, protest marches would be organised all over Punjab. He said earlier the National Commission for Scheduled Castes had pulled up the state government after being dissatisfied with its answer presented by the chief secretary on the issue of utilisation of the SC Sub-Plan. “Despite several assurances, the state government has failed to produce any kind of record or documentary evidence to prove any progress on this matter,” he fumed.