Ensure rights of the ST/SC of NE region

SHILLONG, OCT 17:  The parliamentary committee on the welfare of SC/ST on Monday directed various organizations/institutions to ensure that the constitutional rights of the people of North East, a region predominantly of scheduled tribe (ST) population, are given importance.

A delegation of the parliamentary committee on the welfare of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe led by its chairperson Dr Kirit P Solanki arrived in the state’s capital on a study visit.

The committee held separate meetings with the officials of three organizations/institutions – the North Eastern Council (NEC), Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO).

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Solanki said that the committee is here on a study tour to see the development and welfare of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes and how it is being implemented.

Stating that the committee is ‘mini-parliament’ having members from both houses – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha- he said, “We have to keep all the discussions confidential unless the report of this committee is table in both houses,” adding “Its recommendations will have to be taken seriously.”

He informed that the committee has given valuable suggestions to the NEC for development of SC/ST as a whole the infrastructure development of the NE states also.

On the meeting with the IDBI, the chairperson said, “We have assured that the employees of SC/ST should get their justice because it is a constitutional right of SC/ST people and they should not be discriminated, their reservation policy should be implemented in toto.”

Apart from that, the committee has also asked the banks and others to look after the welfare of SC/ST population as a whole including the employees, he said. He informed that the several points concerning the welfare of SC/ST were also discussed with the NEEPCO.

He said the issue (welfare) is of a concern for the committee keeping in mind that the NE states are predominantly of ST population. He felt the ST is in majority and their interest should be ensured and committee has discussed all these issues.-By Our Reporter