Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Friday said the government will not hesitate nor refrain from working for the development of downtrodden and minorities, especially in creating educational and employment opportunities.
Unveiling the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 126th anniversary at the Mani Mandapam on Beach Road, he said the government would not retract from its decision whatever be the obstacles.
Mr. Narayanasamy said that everyone had equal rights. He likened Dalits and non-Dalits to be two eyes. “We have earmarked funds under the Special Component Plan (SCP) to take care of the downtrodden,” he said.
He made out a strong case for the career development of Dalits and for introducing reservation for promotion in their jobs.
Speaker V. Vaithilingam, in a veiled attack on Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi, said the Constitution evolved by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had clearly demarcated powers among the three pillars of democracy — executive, judiciary and legislature.
If one section wanted to dominate the others and assert it to be more authoritative, this would be against the spirit of the Constitution.
Mr. Vaithilingam said that Ambedkar was clear and brought out the Constitution as a role model for other countries to follow. There should not be any confusion and any attempt to step out of the limits would be unwholesome.
“Let us show our attention properly without finding fault with the other section. Puducherry was known to be a peaceful haven and this had been proved in the case of several leaders who had migrated to Puducherry,” he said.
Mandapam for Indira
Welfare Minister M. Kandasamy said the government had decided to build a Mani Mandapam for the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on the premises adjacent to the Ambedkar Mani Mandapam.
This would be a fitting tribute to Indira Gandhi who had paid special attention for the development of Puducherry.
The government had proposed to provide hot milk to schoolchildren.
A scheme had been evolved involving an expenditure of ₹50 lakh and this would be implemented without delay.
He said the decision of the government to provide educational assistance to the poor students saw the light of the day although certain obstacles were sought to be placed in its implementation by some sections.
Earlier, a large number of students participated in the Bheem Jyothi rally to mark the 126th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
The rally passed through Seliyamedu, Kariyamanikkam, Madagadepet, Thirukanur, Anna Salai, Nehru Street, Saint Louis Street, Saint Gilles Street, and culminated on the Beach Road. Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy received the torch from students.
