PASIGHAT, Jan 16: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale visited East Siang district on Wednesday and held a meeting with the administrative and police officers to take stock of various central schemes being implemented in the district for enhancement of living standard of schedule tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
The minister in his maiden address at the Siang Guest House here, informed that 10 percent reservation by Narendra Modi led NDA government for the economically weak upper castes would not disturb the rights of SC and STs.
“Giving privilege to economically backward upper classes would bring harmony,” Athawale added.
He also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given special emphasis to develop the entire North East region with a ten-point agenda.
“Highways, high-speed internet, railways, BPOs, power, organic food, assistance, job creation, tourism development and development of rural areas are among them,” he added.
He also assured that the old-age home project would be brought to the state and assured of its construction soon.
Athawale also said that he would look into reasons on why the old age pension was not being disbursed by the central government to the state after 2016-17.
Calling for individual responsibility to disseminate various schemes and project under his department, Athawale asked the heads to be part of state development and positive change in the society.
Regarding scholarships, Athawale was informed that 18,683 students of post metric and 3794 students from pre metric were disbursed scholarship through DBT in 2017-18.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Tamiyo Tatak presented a detailed report of target and achievements of the district, while SP Prashant Gautam briefed on law and order situation.
DD (ICDS) PE Angu and DDSE updated the minister about implementation and challenges of central and state beneficial schemes.
