Surjewala reaches out to Dalits with big promises
JIND: Senior Congress leader and Kaithal MLA Randeep Surjewala on Sunday said his party will launch ‘Atta daal aur chini’ scheme for scheduled caste (SC) families and provide monthly scholarships to all SC students if voted to power in 2019.
Addressing a Gareeb Adhikaar Rally in Jind, Surjewala slammed the BJP government for “diluting the SC/ST Act and reducing funds for Dalits in the Union budget”. He announced a 10 point-programme for the poor and SC people in Haryana.
Surjewala said the Congress, on forming government in Haryana, will provide 20kg flour at the rate of ₹2 per kg, pulses at ₹10 per kg and sugar at ₹12 per kg to all 15 lakh Dalit families.
“Congress will waive off all pending water bills of Indira Gandhi Drinking Water Scheme, will appoint one SC member in HPSC & HSSC, and fill up 60,000 state government’s vacant posts within a year,” he said.
He also promised ₹1,500 monthly scholarship to all SC students studying in graduation/post graduation courses; ₹2,500 monthly scholarship to all SC engineering students and ₹5,000 monthly scholarship to all SC students doing MBBS and studying in IITs and IIMs.
Surjewala said under the BJP government, heinous crimes against Dalits have increased, alleging that BJP ministers often humiliate SC officers working in government departments.
Referring to the ongoing feud in INLD, Surjewala said that the fight was only for share of property and ‘loot ka maal’.
“Both the children and the uncle are playing into BJP’s hands. Na Chacha BJP Ke Khilaaf Hai, Na hi Bhatija Hai.. How can we forget that Dushyant Chautala, INLD MPs and MLAs voted for BJP candidate in President’s election?” he said.