Accurate OBC data key for social balance: Minister
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Chander Kumar, while presiding over a meeting of the Block Executive Committee of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Jawali on Friday, emphasised the need for accurate and up-to-date data on the current population structure of OBCs. He stated that such data is essential to ensure social balance, enable inclusive policy-making and help target welfare schemes more effectively toward the genuinely deserving beneficiaries.
The minister noted that the state government is running a range of ambitious welfare schemes to integrate all sections of society into the mainstream of development. These include the Sukh Ashraya Yojana, Sukh Shiksha Yojana, YS Parmar Vidyarthi Loan Yojana, Golden Jubilee Ashraya Scheme, Inter-Caste Marriage Award Scheme, Computer Application and Business Course Scholarship Scheme, National Family Assistance Scheme, Holiday Program, Divyang Scholarship, Divyang Marriage Grant Scheme and Shagun Yojana.
“These initiatives are aimed at empowering the weaker and marginalised sections of society,” he said, adding that the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government remains committed to the ideals of social justice and inclusive development. The government is particularly focused on the welfare of OBCs, Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), ensuring that no eligible citizen is excluded from the benefits of development due to systemic oversight or lack of access.
Chander Kumar directed members of the OBC Block Executive to actively disseminate information about government schemes so that every eligible beneficiary, even in the remotest areas, can avail the benefits.
He also informed the gathering that a general house meeting of the All India OBC Organization will be held at Talkatora Garden, New Delhi, on July 25, where critical discussions on social justice and rights will take place.
Himachal Tribune