CM Nitish Kumar attended the Empowerment Programme of Vikas Mitras held at Bapu Auditorium, Samrat Ashok Convention Centre on the occasion of birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Ravidas Ji. The programme was organised by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
CM Nitish Kumar paid floral tributes at the portrait of Sant Shiromani Ravidas ji and Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar ji. Speaking on the occasion, he congratulated all the participants and wished them success in the event. Recalling the contribution of Sant Ravidas ji, he said that he raised his voice against casteism, discrimination and untouchability and gave a message of equality and brotherhood to the society. He also recalled the works of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution
CM Nitish Kumar said that the government has been working for the upliftment of all sections of the society – be it Hindus, Muslims, general category, backward, extremely backward, Dalits or Mahadalits – since the beginning. Many schemes were launched to bring the deprived sections into the mainstream. The Mahadalit community is getting special benefits from the establishment of Bihar Mahadalit Development Mission in 2009. In 2023, the honorarium of Vikas Mitras was increased from Rs 13,700 to Rs 25,000, with a provision for an increase of 5% per annum.
CM Nitish Kumar said that several schemes have been implemented for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Under the ‘Udyami Yojana’ launched in 2018, the youth of this category are being given assistance of Rs 10 lakh, which includes a grant of Rs 5 lakh and an interest-free loan of Rs 5 lakh. Besides, schemes like ‘Civil Services Incentive Scheme’ and ‘Mukhyamantri Gram Parivahan Yojana’ are providing employment opportunities. Residential schools and hostels have also been set up for the students of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
CM Nitish Kumar said the government would take all necessary steps for the uplift of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He stressed that the Government is constantly striving for the development of all sections and regions of the society. Comparing with the earlier situation, he said that earlier people were afraid to come out of the houses as soon as it was evening, but now people can engage in their business and other work without any fear till late night.
CM Nitish Kumar said that during his visit, he is meeting people in different areas and trying to know how the benefits of government schemes are reaching the people. He has directed the officials to resolve the issues raised by the public at the earliest so that no one is inconvenienced. He said that since 2005, continuous work is being done for the overall development of the state. At the same time, he remembered revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji and said that he became CM Nitish Kumar with his blessings. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their support.
The Chief Minister assured that necessary steps would be taken for the upliftment of the poor sections and continuous work would be done for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. On this occasion, while paying obeisance to Sant Shiromani Ravidas ji, he congratulated all present.
During the programme, Vikas Mitra Shri Bittu Kumar and Ms. Rajni Kumari welcomed the Chief Minister by presenting him the insignia and Angavastra.
The event was also addressed by Deputy Chief Minister Shri Samrat Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, Union Minister of State for Home Shri Nityanand Rai, Minister of Rural Affairs Shri Ashok Chaudhary, Minister of Scheduled Castes and Tribes Welfare Shri Janak Ram, and Secretary of the Department Shri Devesh Sehra among other dignitaries.
On the occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC general) Anita Darshi, ADC Development Rajinder Batra, Assistant Commissioner General Lal Vishwas Bains, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Moga Gurwinder Singh Johal, District Welfare Officer Bikramjit Singh Purewal and District Education Officer (Secondary) Pardeep Sharma were present.
