Chandigarh, August 3

To resolve the outstanding issues raised by Dalit MLAs, PCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu has sought time from Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for a meeting. The PPCC chief today called up CM’s Chief Principal Secretary, after Dalit MLAs at a meeting with Sidhu sought redress of Dalit-related issues ahead of the Assembly elections.

Ministers Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and Aruna Chaudhary attended the meeting, Charanjit Singh Channi stayed away. During the brain-storming session, the Dalit lawmakers stressed the need for ensuring political deliverance of the welfare schemes run by the Congress government. “Be it increasing the old age pension to Rs 1,500 or shagun scheme amount to Rs 50,000, party MLAs should be involved in the disbursal of welfare funds, instead of officials,” said an MLA.

At the three-hour meeting with Sidhu, 20 MLAs and two ministers spoke about the programmes and policies needed for the welfare of the Scheduled Caste community of the state. A detailed plan of action to take up Dalit issues for redress by the state government was formed, keeping in view the demand and grievances of the community.

The PCC chief reiterated party’s commitment to fulfilling the 18-point agenda and doing even more for the community at the earliest.

While the MLAs urged the PCC chief to meet party workers on the ground, the latter said he would do so after August 15. Some MLAs suggested the party should counter the “false propaganda” paddled by Opposition parties of the Congress government doing little for the Dalits.

The PCC chief pointed out instead of blaming the government, the party workers must highlight pro-Dalit measures such as the upcoming Bill to earmark budget for SC community welfare.

Sidhu later held a two-hour meeting with Congress workers from different blocks of Nawanshahr district along with working presidents Sangat Singh Gilzian and Kuljit Singh Nagra, besides MLAs Angad Saini, Darshan Lal Mangupur and other leaders. — TNS