TNR News Network
Dharamshala
A significant meeting was held at Circuit House, Dharamshala, between representatives of the State Alliance for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Fund Law and the Chief Minister’s Political Advisor, Mr. Sunil Kumar Sharma (Bittu). The discussion lasted for over an hour and a half, focusing on the long-pending demand to enact a “Special Law for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Fund” in Himachal Pradesh.
Mr. Sharma acknowledged that the SC/ST Development Fund is a constitutional right of these communities and assured that he would raise the matter effectively with the Chief Minister. He emphasized that the law must be framed to ensure equitable development and justice for marginalized groups.
The initiative traces back to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who introduced the SC/ST Sub-Plan during the Sixth Five-Year Plan. Mr. Sharma expressed agreement with the alliance’s demand, calling it a historic and constitutional necessity, and promised to arrange a meeting between the Chief Minister and the alliance representatives to advance the legislative process.
During the discussion, alliance members recalled their earlier meeting on April 2, 2025, with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, who supported the campaign for budget allocation proportional to population and legal provisions to safeguard SC/ST rights. The representatives urged the Himachal Pradesh Government to fulfill the commitment made in the party’s election manifesto and begin the process of enacting the law.
The meeting was coordinated by Ms. Vimla Vishwapremi, Convenor of the Parvatiya Mahila Adhikar Manch. Prominent participants included Mr. D.P. Chandra (Retd. IFS Officer), Mr. Dayaram Verma, Mr. Joginder Singh, Mr. Sarvan Kumar, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Mr. Raghubir Singh Bhatiya, Mr. Sajjan Singh Bhatiya, Mr. Prakash Chand Bhatiya, Ms. Rajni Vyas (Former Mayor, Dharamshala), Ms. Radha (Ekla Nari Shakti Sangathan), Mr. Kishan Chand (Additional SP, Una), Mr. Sanjay Kumar (Land Rights Forum), Dr. Suresh Chand, Mr. Uttam Chand, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, Mr. Milkhi Ram, Mr. Sukhdev Vishwapremi, and media representatives from Sach Time Channel — Mr. Kamal Saroch and Mr. Ravinder Kumar.
The alliance expressed gratitude to Mr. Sharma for his sensitivity and commitment, urging the Chief Minister to take immediate steps toward enacting the SC/ST Development Fund Law in Himachal Pradesh.
Issued by: State Alliance for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Fund Law Contact: 9418425543 Email: pcfseeih@gmail.com
