Union minister hails welfare schemes of TS govt

Hyderabad, Sept.25: Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Ramdas Athawale today said the caste system in the country can be annihilated through inter-caste marriages. Addressing the media here on Sunday, Athawale said there was a need to increase cash incentive to those couples, who undergo inter-caste marriages from the State governments and there was a proposal to enhance the amount by the Ambedkar Foundation. Athawale said some 900 inter-caste marriages had taken place in Telangana during the last financial year and the State was giving Rs 50,000 to the couple as an incentive. He urged the State government to increase the amount up to Rs 1 lakh. The Union minister said SC, ST and other Backward sections, who constitute 77% of total population were allocated only 49.5 % reservations. There is a need to provide reservations for other sections for which the government should look for all options, including Constitution amendment, he said. Athawale said he supports the reservation demand for Marathas, Jats and Patels in educational institutions and employment without disturbing the quota of OBC reservations. The Union minister appreciated the welfare schemes being implemented by Telangana State Government. The Pre, Post-matric scholarships scheme, Kalyanalaxmi scheme are benefiting Scheduled Castes, he said. Strongly condemning the recent attacks on Army camp at Uri, Athavale said, “The Prime Minister is very serious on this issue and tough actions will be taken against those responsible”. He also said his party (Republican Party of India) was in favour of smaller States in the country.