Ramdas Athawale

Over 67% sewer, septic tank workers belong to SC category: Govt tells LS

Over 67 per cent of sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) in India belong to the Scheduled Caste category, according to official data. In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said that out of 54,574 validated sewer and septic tank workers profiled under the 'National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem' (NAMASTE) scheme, 37,060 are from the SC category. The statistics further show that 15.73 per cent of the workers belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), 8.31 per cent are from the Scheduled Tribes (STs), while only 8.05 per cent come from the General category. In total, 57,758 workers across 33 States and Union Territories have been profiled, out of which 54,574 have been validated. Data integration for states like Odisha and Tamil Nadu into the central NAMASTE database is currently underway. The NAMASTE scheme, launched in 2023-24 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in

Raj Thackeray has lost relevance, Mahayuti does not need him: Athawale

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has lost relevance and is not needed by the ruling Mahayuti, Union minister Ramdas Athawale said on Sunday. The MNS failed to win a single seat in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, which were swept by the Mahayuti, the losers including the party chief's son Amit Thackeray from Mumbai's Mahim constituency. "Raj Thackeray thought power could not come without him. His dreams have been shattered. With me in the alliance, there is no place for Raj Thackeray. He changes his strategies and the colour of his party flag. It reflects his diminishing relevance," said Athawale, whose Republican Party of India (A) has been with the BJP-led NDA for over a decade. Speaking to reporters in Nashik, the Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment also expressed confidence that his party will get representation in the Devendra Fadnavis government. Slamming the Maha Vikas Aghadi for blaming EVM "misuse" for the crushing defeat in

Athawale dismisses rift in Mahayuti, backs Sena's Sarvankar for Mahim seat

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Sunday denied reports of a rift in the ruling Mahayuti over the Mahim assembly constituency in Mumbai, which will see MNS leader Amit Thackarey taken on Shiv Sena's Sada Sarvankar. The RPI (A) chief said three-time sitting MLA Sarvankar is a stronger candidate than Amit Thackeray, whose only qualification is that he is the son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray. The Republican Party of India (Athawale) is an ally of the Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena. Amit Thackeray is making his electoral debut, while Sarvankar is seeking re-election from Mahim. The Shiv Sena leader has asserted that he will not withdraw from the fray, even as the BJP has expressed keenness to back the MNS candidate. Talking to PTI, Athwale said, "The Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial and Indu Mill come under the Mahim constituency, and I don't think it is good to pressurise Sarvankar. He is the sitting MLA and a stronger candidate than Amit Thacker

Athawale's party to contest 8-10 seats in Haryana if no agreement with BJP

Union minister Ramdas Athawale-led Republican Party of India (Athawale) plans to fight the Haryana assembly polls on 8-10 seats and support ally BJP on the remaining, party leaders said here on Monday. However, if an agreement is reached with the BJP, the RPA (A) will contest just two seats and leave the rest for the senior NDA partner, the party's Haryana unit president Ravi Sonu Kundli said here. "Discussions are ongoing with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding seat allocation. If no agreement is reached with the BJP, the Republican Party will field candidates on 8 to 10 seats and support BJP candidates on the remaining 80 seats," Kundli said. He said the RPI (A) has emerged as a prominent party for Dalits in the country, and it would gain traction in Haryana, which goes to polls on October 5. "The RPI(A) has emerged as a party of the weaker sections across the country including Haryana. We are confident of a good performance," Kundli said. The RPI(A), which is a part of t

377 died cleaning sewers in 5 yrs, no manual scavenging reported: Govt

A total of 377 people have died from 2019 to 2023 while hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks but there is no report of practice of manual scavenging in the country, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Responding to a question in the House, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale listed the steps taken for effective implementation of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013. In response to another question on the number of people engaged in manual scavenging, Athawale said, "There is no report of practice of manual scavenging currently in the country". "A total of 377 persons have died in states/UTs during the last five years from 2019 to 2023 due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks," he said in a written response.

No Bill proposed for complete abolition of manual scavenging: Govt

There is no bill proposed for complete mechanisation of sewerage cleaning and abolition of manual scavenging, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said on Tuesday. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said there was a proposal to amend the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, with the aim to formalise the institutional setup for safe cleaning practices. In view of the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) -- formulated jointly by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment -- it was decided not to amend the law, he said. Responding to a question on if there was any bill pending with the ministry for complete mechanisation of sewerage cleaning and abolition of manual scavenging, the minister said, "At present, there is no bill proposed for complete mechanisation of

Ramdas Athawale advocates for caste census in country, slams Congress

Union minister Ramdas Athawale has said his Republican Party of India (A) supports conducting a caste census in the country and believes some way should be found for it. Speaking to reporters in Madhya Pradesh's Indore city on Sunday, Athawale also said there should be no malpractice in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and the Education Ministry was taking all possible steps to stop malpractices in the exam in future. He said since Article 17 of the Constitution has a provision to abolish casteism, there has been a hindrance before governments on how to get a caste-based census conducted. "My party demands that some way should be found because once the caste-based census is done, we will know the percentage of every caste in the population," the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said. Athawale further said if future decisions include extending reservation benefits to every caste based on their population share, his party would not oppose it, ...

In day-long meeting, Virendra Kumar reviews progress of DEPwD schemes

Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar convened a pivotal daylong meeting on Saturday to review the progress of various schemes and strategize on key departmental initiatives for the next 100 days. The meeting included the participation of Ministers of State Ramdas Athawale and B.L. Verma. During the meeting, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Rajesh Aggarwal, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the department's initiatives, according to an official statement. This was followed by a detailed discussion on the modernization efforts of the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO). Heads of various organisations, including the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD), the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), National Institutes (NIs) and the National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC), presented their significant achievements. The participants engag

Constitution will remain unchanged, will resign if that happens: Athawale

Union Social Justice minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday dismissed the Congress' allegation that the Narendra Modi-led NDA government was planning to change the Constitution. He would resign if there is any attempt to change the Constitution, said Athawale, a prominent Dalit leader from Maharashtra and BJP ally. The minister, who heads the Republican Party of India, was here to campaign for Sunil Mendhe, candidate of the ruling alliance from Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha seat. "With no issues against the present Modi-led NDA government, Congress along with other opposition parties is trying to mislead people alleging that if this government wins 400 plus seats, it would change the Constitution. Their accusation is completely baseless.... if government makes any such attempt, I will resign from the cabinet and withdraw support to the BJP," he said. Modi is a "man with vision", and working for the progress of the country, Athawale added.

Nitish's decision to join NDA correct, taken for Bihar's development: Min

JD(U) president Nitish Kumar's decision to join the NDA is correct and taken at the right time for the development of Bihar, BJP ally and Republican Party of India (A) chief Ramdas Athawale said on Monday. Kumar took oath as the chief minister of Bihar for a record ninth time on Sunday after a dramatic volteface, ditching the 'Mahagathbandhan' and the opposition INDIA bloc, and forming a new government with the BJP, which he had dumped less than 18 months ago. Talking to PTI, Athawale said the opposition terming Kumar as "Paltu Ram" (one who switches sides) is not justified. "Nitish Kumar's decision is correct and he has taken it at the right time for the development of Bihar. This is a challenge to the Congress," he said. "He has joined the NDA to work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We all welcome him," the RPI (A) chief said. On the opposition calling Kumar an opportunist, Athawale said, "He is not an opportunist but the Congress is." Kumar on Sunday had .

Ramdas Athawale demands Nitish's resignation over his birth control remarks

The Union Minister said on Wednesday that it is our responsibility to respect women, and although the Bihar CM has apologised for his statement, there should be some action against him

Ramdas Athawale asks Nitish Kumar to give Mumbai oppn meet a slip

Union minister Ramadas Athawale on Saturday lamented the exit of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) from the NDA despite his good relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The RPI leader also expressed the view that the JD(U) leader, who has since been at the forefront of forging opposition unity, should skip the next meeting of non-BJP bloc INDIA at Mumbai scheduled next month. Koi faayda nahin hai (it will be of no use), said Athawale, asserting that it was his advice to Kumar to refrain from attending the meet. He seems to be not happy in that camp. He was unhappy with the acronym INDIA but Rahul Gandhi prevailed, said Athawale, referring to speculations in a section of the media that emerged after the new name was announced at the meeting in Bengaluru earlier this month. Kumar himself has dismissed such speculations and asserted that the new name of the opposition coalition was decided unanimously. Athawale, who also fondly recalled his own good relations with Kumar

Union Minister Athawale urges Muslims not to oppose Uniform Civil Code

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Sunday appealed to Muslims not to oppose the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as the code would be for their benefit. The 22nd Law Commission had recently extended the deadline for the public to send in their views on a proposed UCC till July 28. The debate around UCC was kicked off after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about it at a public meeting in Madhya Pradesh last month. Addressing reporters here on a visit to Puducherry, Athawale said: "The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is not opposed to the Muslim community and hence I appeal to the Muslims not to oppose the UCC. Muslims and Hindus would come together through UCC." Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his dynamic leadership, the Union Minister said several schemes evolved and implemented by the NDA government at the Centre under the PM's stewardship has been of great help to ameliorate the lot of the poor. Athawale's party RPI(A), which he is heading,

Relocation plan for residents of hilly areas needed: Athawale to Maha govt

Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Sunday suggested the Maharashtra government draft a plan to relocate residents of hilly areas in the state on priority. He was speaking to reporters after visiting the shelter housing survivors of the Irshalwadi landslide tragedy in Khalapur tehsil in Raigad district. Athawale also said the state government can explore the possibility of shifting the residents of hilly terrains to foothills to save them from any potential calamity. "The state government should work out a plan to rehabilitate and relocate such people on priority and appoint a committee," the Union minister said. He said the permanent relocation and rehabilitation of the people living in hilly regions was the only solution to prevent the Irshalwadi-like incident. Irshalwadi hamlet, located on the slope of Sahyadri mountain in Khalapur tehsil, was flattened by a massive landslide on Wednesday night. Rescuers have received 27 bodies till Saturday, while at least 81 people remain ...

Ajit Pawar support to NDA will further weaken MVA: Ramdas Athawale

Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at the latter's residence here on Thursday and said Pawar's support to the NDA will "further weaken" the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Athawale, who heads the Republican Party of India (A), said it was a courtesy visit after Pawar became the deputy CM of the state. Ajit Pawar on Sunday led a vertical split in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to become deputy chief minister in the Shiv Sena-BJP government. Eight other NCP MLAs, including Chhagan Bhujbal and Hasan Mushrif, were sworn in as ministers in the Eknath Shinde cabinet. Speaking to reporters after meeting the deputy CM, Athawale said, Ajit Pawar's support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has increased the strength (of the ruling side) in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly to more than 200. His support will result in the MVA getting weakened further. The MVA comprises the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv

Ramdas Athawale 'adopts' 5 year old leopard in Mumbai's SGNP

Wildlife lover and Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale adopted a five-year-old leopard at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, here on Tuesday

We will be more than happy if Ajit Pawar joins our party: Athawale

Union minister and Republican Party of India (A) chief Ramdas Athawale on Thursday said he will be more than happy if NCP leader Ajit Pawar joins his party. Athawale also said if they get a chance for Maharashtra chief minister's post, they will give the chance to Pawar. Responding to queries by reporters here, the RPI(A) chief also said he does not think Ajit Pawar will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Pawar's cancellation of some programmes and the fact that he was unreachable on phone gave rise to speculation last Friday about his next move among some political circles. The NCP leader on Saturday said he cancelled his programmes for Friday as he was unwell after long tours across Maharashtra and asked the media not to speculate on such issues as it caused confusion. Notably, amid a deadlock over government formation in Maharashtra after the Assembly elections in 2019, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and NCP's Ajit Pawar were sworn as the chief minister and deputy CM in a ...

Disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from LS as per rules: Ramdas Athawale

The disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Parliament has got nothing to do with the BJP or the NDA, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said here on Sunday. The decision to disqualify Gandhi was taken by Lok Sabha secretariat as per the rules, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said here. Athawale also announced his Republican Party of India (RPI)'s decision to back the NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Gandhi, 52, was disqualified from the Lok Sabha on March 24, a day after a court in Gujarat's Surat convicted him in a 2019 defamation case. "Disqualification of Rahul Gandhi was not BJP's decision. This decision was by the Parliament. A Lakshwadweep MP was also disqualified from Lok Sabha as per rules," Athawale told reporters here. Mohammed Faizal of NCP was disqualified from the Lok Sabha in January this year after he was convicted in an attempt to murder case. He was reinstated last week by the Lok Sabha secretariat, just hours before his ple

Assembly poll: Union Minister Athawale addresses election rally in Nagaland

Union Minister and RPI(A) chief Ramdas Athawale addressed a poll rally on Monday at Tsemenyu district, Nagaland, for the party's candidate Ar Loguseng Semp

RPI(A) will work for social, economic equality in Nagaland: Ramdas Athawale

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said his party the Republican Party of India (Athawale) would work for the social and economic equality of all communities in Nagaland. Launching the election campaign for the Republican Party of India (Athawale) at newly created district Tseminyu in Nagaland, Athawale, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said his party stands firm for the welfare of the downtrodden and minority community and also the farming community. "We have set up eight candidates for the February 27 Nagaland Assembly elections with the object of bringing more development to the state as envisioned by the founder of the Party Babasaheb Ambedkar, writer of Indian Constitution," he said. Athawale said the RPI(A) is an ally of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, and the party candidates after winning elections in Nagaland would work with the BJP-NDPP in the state as well. He said the RPI(A) candidate for Tseminyu assembly constituency, Loguseng Semp