March 17, 2015
Pratima Mandal speaks on Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2015 | Transcript
Full transcript:
Sir, I thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak in this August House on the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2015.
What struck me most is that my community is still continues to accept a position of humiliation because of the caste. Sir, I have a dream that my two children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by their caste but, by the content of their character and patriotism.
After Independence, the Constitution of India piloted by Babasaheb Ambedkar prescribed certain protections and safeguards for Scheduled Castes with the objective of promoting their educational, economic and political interests. The Government has yet so far provided various plans and programmes offering them opportunities to develop providing educational facilities, health service and building communication networks. It is observed that Government programmes, especially those pertaining to Scheduled Caste welfare are never taken seriously and there are no effective monitoring systems pointing out the failure of the Planned Objects. There are diversion of resources and lack of utilities of the Scheme. Therefore, the condition of this community has remained very miserable. Therefore remedial measures and courses of correction have to be implemented diligently.
Most of the Scheduled Caste communities are striving to fulfill their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as basic education. Besides this, today they deserve better opportunities to live with dignity and self respect. Hence, ample opportunities should be made available to them which will ensure to them a secure and dignified life in this time.
Thank you.
