Early Times Report
JAMMU, June 1 : Lauding efforts of Shaheed Bhagat Amarnath Ji for the cause of down trodden sections of the society, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Tara Chand described him as the champion of marginalized people and assured that his supreme sacrifice would be long remembered by people of the state. He said Bhagat ji laid down his life to make sure that SC/ST communities get their due constitutional provision of reservation in the state.
“Legal provisions of reservation for down trodden sections of society were missing in the state and it was only during the previous government in the year 2004 that such provisions were provided to these communities and the present dispensation is carrying forward the welfare agenda for the down trodden sections of the state,” he maintained. He was addressing a gathering to commemorate 43rd death anniversary of Bhagat Amarnath at Govt. Women College, Gandhi Nagar auditorium, here today. The function was organised by All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations, Jammu & Kashmir.
To pursue the rights of down trodden people and for implementation of reservation in the state, Bhagat Amarnath Ji started his fast unto death on 21st of May 1970 and attained martyrdom on 1st of June.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the government is fully committed to uplift the socio-economic status of marginalized. He said the government is alive to the problems faced by the underprivileged and all out efforts are being made to address the welfare requirements of the SC and ST communities. Laws formulated in this regard would be implemented in true letter and spirit, so as to give due share to the weaker sections of the society, he added. Various speakers threw light on the life and mission of Bhagat Amarnath and gave a clarion call to the downtrodden sections of society to be aware of their rights and work towards getting them. The commemorative function was attended by former minister and MLA, Samba Mr. Yash Pal Kundal, prominent members of the society and galaxy of intellectuals.
On the occasion, President of the confederation Mr. R.K. Kalsotra and other office bearers the Confederation presented a memorandum of demands to the Deputy Chief Minister. The memorandum enlisted various issues which inter-alia include, Shadeedi Samarka for Bhagat Amarnath ji, Reservation in R-e-T, R-e-Z, R-e-Sehat and other public sector jobs, maintenance of roster, central budgetary allocation share, scholarships, empowering of SC, ST and OBC advisory boards, Stern action on caste based atrocities, adequate representation of communities is various local self government bodies and constitutional bodies like PSC, ban on manual scavenging and rehabilitation of scavengers and permanent resident rights to Refugees and Valmiki community. The Deputy Chief Minister assured that all genuine issues would be looked into on priority. |
