CHANDIGARH, JUNE 16: The National Commission for Economically Backward Classes led by its Chairman Major Gen. (Retd.) S.R. Sinho called on Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, General Dr. S. F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM (Retd.) at Punjab Raj Bhavan, here this evening and discussed various issues relevant for upgrading the economic status of backward classes and the measures required to be introduced, for giving a push to the various empowerment programmes for these vulnerable sections of Society.
During the discussion, General Rodrigues gave a brief account of the steps taken by the Chandigarh Administration and told the Commission that the Chandigarh Administration has laid a special focus on the emancipation and economic empowerment of the backward classes by integrating them in programmes and giving them the opportunities to develop their potential, to enable them to move forward with faith and confidence. He said that their all round development has been made an essential component of our planning and developmental processes and special emphasis has been laid on improving their living conditions, providing self employment avenues, by giving them skill training in different trades and extending them financial assistance for setting up their own business, promoting health and education. He said that as part of upliftment plan of the poor, the Chandigarh Administration has prepared an ambitious plan to construct and allot 25,782 one room tenements to be given on rent for the rehabilitation of the needy. He said that various innovative projects for the whole region has been launched which included Home-cum-Vocational Training Center for Street Children, Crippled Children and Mentally Retarded Children. Similarly he said that the project of Education City has been conceived with focus on empowerment of disadvantaged section of society. He made it clear that all these programmes initiated in the City have been processed with the participation of experts and professionals in the larger interests of society. He said that the e-Jan Sampark and e-Sampark programmes
launched in Chandigarh has greatly benefited the poor people of our society, saving their time and energy. He said that the mid day meal scheme, scholarships and the computer interactive programmes launched in our schools have a special focus on benefiting students of the disadvantaged sections, to enhance their interest level in studies.
General Rodrigues impressed upon the members the need to study the ground realities about the living conditions and economic status of the backward classes, for introducing innovative steps for formulating plans and programmes. A special emphasis must be laid on implementing these measures, leaving no scope of red-tapism, or bureaucratic hurdles. He said that everything is moving forward in the Union Territory with the positive attitude of the official machinery and the participation of NGOs and concerned social activists and suggested they use Chandigarh as a laboratory, for programmes on ameliorating the lot of the backward classes. Chairman Major Gen. (Retd.) S.R. Sinho, while appreciating the vision of Administrator said that the para-meters set by the Chandigarh Administration for bringing social economic change and removing economic backwardness are really praiseworthy. The members of the Commission also discussed various legal, constitutional and administrative procedures for recasting their strategies for upliftment of backward classes.
The other members of the Commission included Shri Narendra Kumar, Shri Mahendra Singh, IAS (Retd.) and Shri A.K. Srivastava. Shri M.P. Singh, Secretary to Governor, Shri Ram Niwas, Home Secretary, Chandigarh Administration and Shri T.R. Sarangal, Secretary Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, Punjab, Shri Rahul Bhandari, Executive Director, Punjab Backward Classes Corporation, Mrs. Amandeep Kaur, Director Social Welfare, Chandigarh Administration and Shri Lakha Singh, Additional Director, Social Welfare attended the meeting.
By : News Team
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