Bahuguna demands SC status for Pauds, Pondas, Raisikhs

The Uttarakhand government today sought inclusion of Namo Shudra, Paud, Ponda and Raisikh communities of the state in the list of Scheduled Castes.
The request was made by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna at a meeting with Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Kumari Selja in New Delhi, an official release here said.
The Centre has agreed to set up a committee to look into the issue and several other demands related to these communities, he said.
While a survey on the social and financial condition of Namo Shudra, Pod and Ponda castes was done by Pant Nagar University in 2009, a similar survey is being carried out by Doon University on the status of Raisikh community, he said.

The surveys carried out in the past indicate that SC status to these communities is necessary to ensure their development, he said, adding that their inferences and findings will soon be handed over to the Centre.
The Union Minister gave sanction to hold a mega camp in Uttarakhand for the welfare of the handicapped. Prosthetics for assistance to the handicapped will also be distributed at the camp.

The Chief Minister also held discussions with Selja on the issue of relaxing compensation norms for those who became handicapped in the June deluge.
The CM said the state's Social Welfare Department will soon send a formal proposal to the Centre in this regard.

It was decided to review the work of NGOs working with the support of the Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry in the state.