Dalit MLAs flag scholarship scam at meet with PCC chief Navjot Sidhu

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 30

The issue of alleged wrongdoing in the disbursal of funds under the SC post-matric scholarship scheme was raised by party legislators during the first meeting of Congress’ Dalit MLAs called by PCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu here today.

The alleged disbursal of the scholarship funds to blacklisted educational institutions was flagged by the party MLAs. At least 21 Dalit MLAs out of total 22 attended the two-hour meeting convened by Sidhu to understand Dalit-related issues.

Workers must pick leaders: Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu, during a meeting with Congress workers from Mohali, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Malerkotla, made it clear party workers at the ground level must arrive at a consensus on choosing their leaders as he didn’t want to impose his choice on them. Sidhu along with PCC working president Kuljit Singh Nagra listened to their grievances and suggestions.

The meeting was aimed at creating a consensus on policies and programmes for the community, while ensuring the problems faced by the community were resolved on a priority basis. The PCC president along with working president Sukwinder Singh Danny and state leadership decided to meet again next week for further discussions on party’s vision for the community in the state.

During the meeting, the issues raised included implementation of the Cabinet decision on 30 per cent reservation for Dalits and weaker sections in political appointments, ensuring six ministers from the community from the total allowed strength of 18 in the Council of Ministers, representation for Dalit officers in higher government posts, implementation of the 85th Amendment to extend benefit of reservation to SC/weaker sections in matters of promotion with consequential seniority, abolition of ‘group D’ posts, DC rates for safai workers, besides others.

Ministers Charanjit Channi and Aruna Chaudhary, besides 11 MLAs present at the meeting and others who joined over the phone, decided to seek time from Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to discuss the urgent matters. The leaders were also likely to seek time from party president Sonia Gandhi over the issues.

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