Commission for SC/STs to be formed in Delhi soon , says Kejriwal

The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said a Commission will be formed for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes(SC) and the Scheduled Tribes(ST).

"Delhi government will form an SC/ST Commission for the welfare of the community," said Kejriwal.

The Aam Aadmi Party convener made the announcement while paying tributes to the main architect of the Indian Constitution Bharat Ratna Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 126th birth anniversary in the Delhi assembly premises.

The move is initiated to woo the Dalit community and sanitation workers ahead of the MCD polls scheduled on April 23. As per the figures published in the Delhi Statistical Handbook 2015, the total population of Scheduled Castes is 28,12,309 in 2011.

People from the SC and ST communities play a vital role in deciding the fate of any political party during elections.

Kejriwal's promise comes a day after the Aam Aadmi Party received a humiliating defeat in the bypoll to the Rajouri Garden Assembly seat that had fallen vacant as its legislator had resigned to contest in the Punjab Assembly polls.

"In Delhi, there are several Commissions, but no dedicated body for the SC and ST communities. After MCD polls, we will bring a law to form a Commission for SC and ST in order to provide justice to the people of these communities," said Kejriwal.

To bring the new law, the AAP government will first have to table a proposal in Delhi Assembly and once it is passed by the House, the proposal will be sent to the Centre through the Lt Governor for approval.

In the bypoll result to Rajouri Garden seat announced on Thursday, the AAP finished a distant third with its nominee Harjeet Singh bagging 10,243 votes though the party said it would not impact the upcoming MCD polls.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal said, "The party lost the Rajouri Garden bypoll as people were unhappy over MLA Jarnail Singh leaving the seat to contest Punjab polls but stressed that this result would not impact the MCD elections."

The party's vote share declined to 13 per cent as against 47 per cent in 2015 Assembly polls. He also played an important role in drafting India's Constitution, which is a masterpiece and best among all the constitutions in the world, Kejriwal said.

"Bharat Ratna Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar was a staunch advocate of equality and social justice, he added.

Kejriwal further stated that Baba Saheb was the chief architect of the Indian constitution, which is unique in the world.

Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel and Deputy Assembly Speaker , Rakhi Bidlan also paid floral tributes at the Statue of Dr BR Ambedkar. MLAs and other dignitaries were also present on this occasion.

Speaking on the occasion the Speaker Ram Niwas Goel stated that Dr Ambedkar was posthumously honoured with the prestigious Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.