Gadkari backs Dalit Mitra awardees' honorarium demand

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today assured the recipients of Maharashtra government's prestigious Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Dalit Mitra award that he will take up their demands, including that of monthly honorarium, with the state's Chief Minister and authorities concerned.
Addressing the fifth convention of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Dalit Mitra Sanghatan here, the transport minister lauded the contribution of the recipients in the field of social justice and said he will raise their demands related to facilities provided by the government to them.
The award is given to those people working in the field of social justice.
Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Rajkumar Badole, who was also present at the function, assured a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,000 per month to the recipients.

He said those persons (awardees) who are willing to work with the state government will be appointed on an honorarium of Rs 5,000 to co-ordinate for social welfare activities.
The government has agreed to appoint Dalit Mitra as a non-official member in certain committees of the state government to render their expertise in the social field, Badole added.
He also agreed to take up with Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation the demand for allowing the awardees to travel in MSRTC buses outside the state. Currently, they are entitled for free travel with one more person within Maharashtra.
MLA Dr Milnd Mane, president of Sanghatan R Chavan and Secretary Yogesh Wagde and awardees from across the state attended the convention.