AAP rolls out Dalit manifesto for Punjab

Aam Aadmi Party promises houses for all Dalits, a special cell for implementation of Post Matric Scholarship Scheme and a hike in the Shagun amount given for the wedding of a daughter to Rs 51,000 in a separate manifesto for the community which was unveiled on Friday.

Addressing a gathering in the Dalit-dominated Doaba region, party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal released AAP's 19-point agenada and said the upliftment of the community is must for the progress of Punjab and once voted to power, the party would take special care of the Dalit community in the state.

He said a low-cost housing scheme would be implemented to ensure that all members of the community have a pucca house and the Punjab Scheduled Caste Commission will be strengthened and expanded to ensure that their grievances are taken seriously and discrimination of any kind is punished.

He said a special cell will be created to monitor proper implementation of the Post Matric Scholarship scheme and a time-bound inquiry will be conducted to identify those guilty of looting money meant for Dalits under the scheme and to take strict action against them. "A special SIT will fix responsibility and recommend exemplary punishment for atrocities and false cases registered against Dalits in the last five years," Kejriwal said.