Expressing deep concern with plight of dalits in India and discrimination against them, the 14th Finance Commission Chairman Y V Reddy today called for corrective measures at societal level for their uplift.
The dalits continue to lag behind in terms of socio-economic empowerment and education despite provisions being there in constitution for emancipation and uplift of these people, he said in his inaugural speech on two-day seminar on the topic 'Dalits in India - Past, Present and Future' in the premises of Commerce College of Patna.
The caste system and social prejudice against dalits appeared to be among many reasons for their plight which the society can itself rectify and take along the weaker sections with them as equals for benefit of all, Reddy, who is also a former RBI Governor, said.
He identified education as another barrier creating obstacle in the path of forward stride of dalits and said that emphasis must be laid on educating the people from weaker sections so that they could improve their lives as well as that of their families and society at large.
The 14th Finance Commission Chairman also offered wise counsel to decision makers to take adequate measures at policy level to ensure socio-economic development of dalits and said that their progress was imperative for overall development of the country.
