Paswan demands restoration of SC/ST Act, aid for Bihar in meet with Shah

NEW DELHI: Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Sunday, seeking special financial assistance for Bihar and restoration of the earlier provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which he said was diluted after a Supreme Court order.

“Bihar is one of the poorest states. So many states are demanding it (special financial aid). Bihar deserves it,” Paswan, the chief of BJP’S ally Lok Janshakti Party said. The Janata Dal (United), another BJP ally from Bihar, has also renewed its demand for the special category status for the state.

During the meeting, Paswan demanded that financial aid be extended to Bihar in the form of a special package in lieu of a special status, a leader privy to the discussion between the two said.

Paswan told Shah that there was a perceived delay in addressing the confusion among the Dalits after a March 20 apex court order did away with immediate arrests under the SC/ST Act. The court, he said, was hearing the matter after the Centre filed a review petition but the issue could take more time to get resolved.

“If required, the government should consider bringing an ordinance to restore the original status of the Act, ” Paswan said.