Ramdas Athawale assumed charge as Minister of State Social Justice & Empowerment here today. Speaking to media persons after taking charge, Shri Ramdas Athawale said that “He will assist Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot in carrying out the welfare activities to fulfil Dr. Ambedkar’s vision”. He said that Dalit welfare is the priority of the Government and he will work to ensure that funds under SC Sub plan is utilised in a timely manner. A prominent Dalit leader, Shri Ramdas Athawale is a Rajya Sabha member elected from Maharashtra. He is the president of Republic Party of India (A). He was born in Agalgaon in Sangli district of Maharashtra. He is a journalist, sports person, political and social worker. He was a member of 12th Lok Sabha. As a parliamentarian, Shri Ramdas Athawale is a member of the Committee on Industry since September 2015, member in Select Committee on the Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016 since March 2016, member in Select Committee on the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and member of committee for Welfare of Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes since May 2016.