Bihar NDA Government Announces Major Welfare Push for SC/ST Communities
In a significant move aimed at bolstering support for scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) communities, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary declared the NDA government's unwavering commitment to their welfare. The announcement was made during the 'Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Samagra Shiksha Samagam,' organized by the SC/ST welfare department in Patna on the eve of Ambedkar Jayanti.
Enhanced Financial Support for Students
Choudhary revealed a substantial increase in financial assistance for students residing in Ambedkar hostels across Bihar. Effective from April, the monthly stipend will be doubled from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000, providing crucial support for educational expenses. This initiative directly benefits students in the state's 91 Ambedkar residential schools and 139 hostels, where they already receive free accommodation and access to modern amenities.
Comprehensive Infrastructure and Amenities Development
The deputy chief minister emphasized ongoing efforts to improve living conditions in approximately 60,000 hamlets inhabited by Dalit communities. He stated that basic amenities are being systematically ensured in these settlements, following consistent directives from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to eliminate any difficulties faced by Dalit residents.
Recognition of Academic Excellence
During the event, Choudhary and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha honored meritorious students from Ambedkar residential schools who achieved exceptional results in their Matriculation and Intermediate examinations. Special recognition was given to 123 girl students from the Ambedkar residential school in Gaighat, Patna, who secured first division in their Intermediate exams, highlighting the government's focus on educational achievement.
Wide Participation and Additional Welfare Measures
The function attracted more than 6,000 students from various districts and was presided over by Minister for SC and ST Welfare Lakhendra Kumar Roshan. Minister Roshan outlined several key achievements and ongoing initiatives:
- Financial assistance ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh under the Chief Minister Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Civil Services Incentive Scheme, benefiting 6,223 aspirants to date.
- Construction of 100-seat hostels for girls currently underway across all 38 districts of Bihar.
- Expedited processing of financial assistance for higher education under the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme.
- Completion of 4,858 community halls-cum-work sheds under the Bihar Mahadalit Development Mission.
These comprehensive measures demonstrate the NDA government's multi-faceted approach to supporting SC/ST communities through educational incentives, infrastructure development, and financial empowerment programs.
