|
Lok Sabha
As per estimates of poverty made by the Planning Commission for the year 1999-2000, 36.25% of rural and 38.47% of urban Scheduled Castes population was living below poverty line. Giving this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Smt. Meira Kumar said that various steps taken by the government has given greater thrust to the development of Scheduled Castes. This has resulted in an increase in Scheduled Castes families crossing poverty line and acquiring higher literacy rates. The Minister said the steps include implementation of Special Component Plan for Scheduled Castes, provision of loans on concessional interest rates, special scholarship schemes and provision of hostels for educational development and providing reservation in government and public sector jobs.
|
