The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Bengaluru): Reaffirming its commitment to the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for the empowerment and welfare of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities under its “Modi ki Guarantee for Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” as part of its election manifesto.
The party pledges to celebrate the year 2025, marking the 150th birth anniversary of legendary tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda, as “Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh.” This move aims to recognize the immense contributions made by tribal communities to India’s freedom struggle and nation-building.
To address the development challenges faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), the BJP proposes to invest ₹24,000 crore through the PM-JANMAN scheme. This initiative aims to bring the socio-economic status of PVTGs on par with the rest of the society through targeted interventions in health, education, housing, and livelihoods.
Recognizing the transformative potential of education, the manifesto promises to expedite the establishment of Eklavya Model Residential Schools in tribal areas. These schools aim to provide quality education to tribal students and bridge the learning gap between them and their non-tribal counterparts.
The party also pledges to establish a District Level Committee with adequate representation from SC, ST, and OBC communities to ensure that welfare schemes reach the grassroots level effectively. This move aims to strengthen the last-mile delivery of government programs and ensure their intended benefits reach the most marginalized sections of society.
To promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among SC, ST, and OBC communities, the BJP proposes to provide easy credit access through the PM-SURAJ portal. The party also aims to expand successful schemes like PM Svanidhi and PM Vishwakarma Yojana to create more livelihood opportunities for these communities.
Recognizing the importance of skill development in enhancing employability, the manifesto promises to expand skilling opportunities for SC, ST, and OBC youth, including recognition and certification of prior learning. The party also pledges to increase the number of scholarships for meritorious students from these communities to ensure that no one is deprived of higher education due to financial constraints.
The BJP also reaffirms its commitment to ensuring adequate representation of SC, ST, and OBC communities in governance. The party takes pride in the fact that 60% of its current ministers in the Union Council of Ministers belong to these communities and pledges to continue this inclusive approach in the future.
Other key initiatives include expanding livelihood opportunities through eco-tourism and homestays, empowering nomadic tribes and safai karamcharis through targeted welfare measures, developing affordable assistive devices for divyangs, prioritizing housing for divyangs under PM Awas Yojana, expanding the network of Garima Grahas for transgenders, and leveraging technology for the preservation and promotion of linguistic minorities.
