Open NCSC: M Rameshwar in Assembly
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 12 2021:
BJP MLA M Rameshwar urged the Government to open a Manipur Chapter of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on the Assembly floor today.
Establishing a Chapter of the NCSC in the State would benefit the Scheduled Caste communities, he said.
During the Budget Session, M Rameshwar highlighted the plight of the SC communities especially the students.
He said the National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC) was established in 2004 through the 89th Constitution Amendment Act, 2003.The Commission under Article 338 of the Constitution protects and safeguards the rights of the Scheduled Castes.
Even after 16 years of the NCSC's existence, there is no chapter of the commission in Manipur.
There are many schemes and benefits SC communities may avail through this commission, he said seeking the attention of the leader of the House Chief Minister N Biren Singh to open a Manipur chapter of the NCSC.
On education, he said SC students who previously enjoyed 15 percent reserve seats in admission in Manipur University are now getting merely 2 percent quota.
Further, there is also similar percentage reserved for SC teaching and non-teaching staff in the varsity as per the UGC guideline, he said urging Chief Minister N Biren Singh to approach the Centre for a provision to provide relief to the SC in the issue and restore the 15 percent quota.
The allocation of funds for welfare of Scheduled Castes for all Ministries has been increased by over 51.65 percent.
There is vast population of SC in Manipur in about seven Assembly Constituencies-Sekmai, Andro, Kakching, Hiyanglam and Thanga etc, said Rameshwar expressing hope that the increase in the annual outlay in FY 2021-22 of Department of Social Justice and Empowerment will bring more schemes and benefits to the SC communities.
Scholarship money may see an increase, he added.