Minister for Social Welfare H. Anjaneya on Wednesday said those among the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who are better off economically, are garnering all the benefits under various schemes of the government.
Speaking at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office the Minister told presspersons that the economically weaker sections of Dalits should be helped to gain access to such benefits.
The Minister heard grievances at a meeting held earlier with the public and party workers. He said there was an urgent need for reforms to help the poor, especially Dalits, and hoped they would get some relief after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presents his budget on July 12. Promising transparency in his functioning, Mr. Anjaneya said the people should get benefits according to a time-bound schedule.
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Mr. Anjaneya held a meeting with the KPCC Backward Classes Department and received memorandums from its president, M.C. Venugopal and member J. Srinivasan. They sought the removal of income ceiling imposed on OBC candidates for seats in schools and colleges, as many poor students were being deprived of educational opportunities. They demanded Rs.10,000 crore for OBCs instead of Rs. 1,200 crore earmarked by the previous BJP government.