TRS govt to launch special scheme for Dalits on I-day

• KCR hold brainstorming session with Collectors
  
• Asks Collectors to strive to reduce poverty among Dalits
  
• Reaffirms commitment to allot 3 acre farm land to Dalits

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday announced that a special Scheduled Caste development programme would be launched on August 15 in Karimnagar district. This will be part of a pilot project in Karimnagar district to wage a war against poverty among Dalits.

KCR, who held a brainstorming session with District Collectors, said notable changes in the lifestyle of Dalits should be seen in next five years. He directed the officials to release funds for Scheduled Caste welfare on the basis of percentage of population. He said that 15.4% of the total budgetary allotment would exclusively be spent for the development of SCs and the Social Welfare department would be renamed as SC Development Department. He asked the Collectors to fight the war like soldiers against poverty among the Dalits.

“On an average, each district would get about Rs 600 crore. If the government adds the funds to Central aid, then there would be adequate money for SC development. In the coming five years the funds for each district may touch even Rs 4,000 crore,” he said. The Chief Minister said the land assignment programme had been unsuccessful and in the future three acres would be allotted to each landless Dalit farmer.