State government to bear fee of backward/minorities students selected in national institutions

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced state government will bear fee of state’s backward class and minorities students selected in Centrally-run national institutes, MANIT and NITTTR at Bhopal and IIT and IIM at Indore. Shri Chouhan was addressing distribution function of Ramji Mahajan Service State Awards for backward classes and minorities at Samanvay Bhavan here today.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is making all efforts for political, economic, social and educational empowerment of backward classes and minorities to help them join mainstream of society. Boys hostels have been opened at all district headquarters for educational upliftment of backward class students. Four new girls hostels for minority girl students will be opened at major cities. Number of minority students getting scholarships was just 10,000 earlier, which has been increased now to one lakh 65 thousand. Coaching for All India and state services exams will also be imparted. The state government also provides financial assistance to students for studies in foreign countries.

Shri Chouhan said that efforts for skill development are being made in the state in mission mode. ITI is being opened at every development block. He said that opportunity to apply till June 15 will be given to backward class students who could not apply for scholarships till prescribed date during year 2014-15. He said that hostels have been constructed so that education is not impeded. The government is also reimbursing expenses incurred by students who rent room for studies.

The Chief Minister said that it is the duty of the society and government to remember contribution of those who sacrificed all for serving society. State government feels pride in honouring luminaries. He said that award function should be held on a grand scale. Cultural eve should also be held on this occasion. He said that state government is striving to bring back to main stream the communities which became backward due to historic reasons. He said that everyone has right over natural resources. Therefore, the state government realises revenue form those who use these resources and making social justice by assisting the poor and backwards with it. With this spirit, wheat, rice and salt is being provided at the rate of Re. one per kg to 70 percent population of the state.

State BJP President and MP Shri Nand Kumar Singh Chouhan said that the way light and air is available to all, in the same way benefits of state government’s schemes are being provided to all. A new confidence is visible in minorities and backward classes. He said that it is the responsibility of society to felicitate social workers. This initiative of the state government is laudable. He also referred to personalities and deeds of late Shri Ramji Mahajan.

Labour, Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Minister Shri Antar Singh Arya the government is continously cooperating in efforts for welfare and development of minorities and backward classes. Four new minority girls hostels are being opened during this academic session.

The Chief Minister gave away Ramji Mahajan Backward Service State Awards to social worker Smt. Shakuntala Arya, Ujjain, Sushri Shyama Sahu, Jabalpur, Smt. Anita Verma, Bhopal, Smt. Mangla Vijay Ambedkar, Chhindwara, Smt. Shanti Yadav, Satna, Smt. Meena Verma, Hoshangabad, Smt. Mamta S. Patel, Bhopal, Shri Raheem Gutti, Ujjain, Prof. Hansraj Pal, Indore, Shri Roop Singh Rajput, Gwalior, Shri Gendalal Dabad, Dhar, Shri Harishankar Vishwakarma, Tikamgarh, Shri Gopal Sen, Narsinghpur, Shri Chitranjan Chaurasia, Chhatarpur and Shri Prakash Manawat, Indore. Madhya Pradesh Minorities State Awards were conferred to Smt. Badrunnisa, Bhopal, Shri Kamal Jain, Bhopal and Shri Sardar Khan, Bhopal.

At the outset, the guests offered flowers to photographs of Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan and Shaheed Hameed Khan. Former Mayor Smt. Krishna Gaur, former Minister Shri Arif Beg, Shri Anwar, Shri Sardar Singh Dangas, ACS Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Shri Rakesh Agrawal and Commissioner Smt. Urmila Mishra were also present on the occasion.