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The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organized the first meeting of the Committee of Ministers on Dalit Affairs on 21st June, 2005. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has constituted the Committee headed by Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of Defence. It reflects the concern of the UPA Government to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Dalits and ensure they have a place of respect and equality in the society.
In her welcome speech, Smt. Meira Kumar, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment explained that the Mandate of the Committee is to identify the gaps in the existing schemes and help develop new programmes for eliminating the gaps. It will consider, make recommendations on, devise strategies/programmes for and monitor all the 33 items listed in the Agenda. Some of the items before the Committee have a clear-cut direction to initiate special schemes. These 33 items cover different subjects including land to the landless, provision of irrigation to the unirrigated lands owned by the Dalits, education and skill development, empowerment of Dalits, Liberation and Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers.
In his Presidential Speech, Shri Pranab Mukherjee congratulated the Hon’ble Prime Minister for constituting the Committee on Dalit Affairs. He also said that the Committee’s main focus is the socio-economic development of the Dalits. The Committee comprises of 12 Ministers and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia. The Committee has been divided into 6 Sub Groups. They will meet separately on their related subjects and submit their Report in three months time. These Sub Groups, in addition to, examining the schemes of Central Ministries and Departments would also oversee the implementation of schemes in States and Union Territories particularly of those States having larger population of Dalits.
Ministry Of Social Justice And Empowerment,Government Of India
MLD/ SJE..15 (Ministerial Comm) June 23
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