Asserting that the Congress alone has watched and safeguarded the interests of the Dalits, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh today assured that 33 percent chairmanships will be provided to the Dalits. He also said that all communities will get due representation in ticket distribution.Addressing a ‘Dalit Outreach’ programme organised by the SC Cell of the PCC here today, Capt Amarinder said, he was aware of the problems being faced by the Dalit community. He said, the Akali-BJP government has discriminated and victimised the Dalits and during his meetings with workers he had found that they were not even being provided the blue cards even.The PCC president reiterated that the Congress government will increase the Shagun scheme to Rs 51,000. Besides, he added, the Dalit households will be provided 300 units of power free.
Speaking on the occasion the CLP leader Charanjit Singh Channi said that no political party in Punjab can watch the interests of Dalits better than the Congress. He pointed out, not only was the CLP leader nominated from the Dalit community, one of the three Rajya Sabha members was elected from the SC community.The AICC in charge for Punjab, Ms Asha Kumari said, only the Congress party watched the interests of all sections of the society. She said, it was in the best interests of the people of Punjab that the Congress formed government in the state.Among others present on the occasion included AICC Secretary in charge Harish Chaudhary, Dr Raj Kumar Chabewal, chairman of the SC Cell of the PCC, Hans Raj Hans, Shamsher Singh Dullo and others.